Racial and ethnocultural considerations in the treatment of combat related post-traumatic stress disorder with servicemembers and veterans of color

Research from past wars has shown that veterans of color have significantly higher rates of PTSD than their white counterparts and a higher prevalence over their lifetime. Studies have sought to explain these differences and have found that while there are perhaps no racial genetic predispositions to the development of PTSD, ethno-cultural factors which are often associated with race play a significant role in the etiology and treatment of PTSD and therefore are important to consider when working with this population. This purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which clinicians who work with servicemembers and veterans of color of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom with a combat related PTSD diagnosis consider race and culture in their treatment. Twelve clinicians who work with servicemembers and veterans in a variety of practice settings were interviewed for this study. Findings indicate that clinicians feel that race and culture do impact PTSD development and treatment. They also indicate that while they factored ethnocultural considerations into treatment, they also expressed a lack of training in this topic. Ten of the twelve participants indicated strongly a need and desire for further training and discussion among their colleagues on how to more effectively work with this treatment population