Motivation And Patterns Of Medical Services Utilization Among Black Male Veterans And Non-veterans (help-seeking).

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore the contribution of motivational and situational factors to use of medical services among black male veterans and non-veterans. Unlike previous utilization research, the present study examined the use of public versus private sources of medical care, as well as the use of multiple versus a sole source of care. Based on a nationally representative sample of adult black Americans, sociodemographic comparisons were made between 276 veterans and 442 non-veterans who were users of various types of medical services. Preliminary findings suggested that veterans and non-veterans were similar with regard to their physical health status and factors that influenced health disabilities. However, veterans were significantly more likely than non-veterans to use private physicians as their sole source of care. The results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that personal motivation, as measured by the men's evaluation of their personal efficacy, was a critical factor for predicting use of private physicians for veterans when age, education, access factors, physical health needs, or social support were controlled. On the other hand, personal motivation was important for non-veterans when the influences of age, education or social support were controlled, but not when access factors were entered into the equation. Multivariate analyses also revealed that age and poverty status were fairly consistent predictors of private physician utilization for veterans and non-veterans. Insurance coverage and physical health status were, however, not important predictors of the use of public vs. private sources of medical care for veterans or non-veterans. Additionally, age and level of health disabilities were the best predictors of a sole source of medical care among veterans; while insurance coverage and potential support were important for non-veterans. The implications of these findings for future research, public policy and the delivery of health services to black males were discussed.