3 - (SYM 12) The Impact of Discrimination on PTSD Treatment Preferences Among Minority Veterans

Cultivating a better understanding of preferences of PTSD care modalities (i.e., in-person, telehealth, computer-based, app-based) among Veterans with minoritized identities may help to increase the access and effectiveness of patient centered care. Individuals’ preferences for modalities of PTSD care may vary based on familiarity, past experiences, values, and perceptions. For individuals with minoritized identities, treatment preferences may be influenced by past experiences with discrimination or fear of experiencing discrimination in treatment. Different modalities of PTSD care may be more appealing or better suited for individuals who have experienced discrimination. The present study aims to better understand treatment preferences for different modalities of PTSD care in Veterans with minoritized identities. We hypothesized that among minoritized Veterans, greater discrimination experiences would be associated with interest in computer-based or app-based care, because these modalities can be self-administered without interacting with healthcare staff. Veterans connected with VA care (N = 615, M_age = 46.15, 15.9% Black, 6.2% American Indian, Alaska Native, or Indigenous, 10.9% Latino or Hispanic, 29.9% Women, 2.1% transgender or gender diverse, 4.2% gay or lesbian, 5.0% bisexual) who were diagnosed with PTSD, completed online surveys assessing preferences for various modalities of PTSD care and discrimination experiences. Most (58.1%) minoritized (i.e., racial/ethnic minority, sexual/gender minority, women) Veterans (n = 309) reported that they have or believed they may have experienced discrimination in a healthcare setting. T-test analyses showed no differences in general discrimination experiences among minoritized Veterans who were or were not interested in digital PTSD care options overall, p = 0.81. Additional planned analyses will examine subgroups of minoritized Veterans and past experiences with different PTSD care modalities. These findings may help determine which treatment modalities may be the most appealing and accessible to Veterans with minoritized identities and who have experienced discrimination.