Many veterans coping with combat-post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) refrain from seeking psychological treatment. We explored the nature of illness recognition and treatment utilisation in two different cultural groups of Israeli veterans—Bedouin and Jewish. Using qualitative research methods, we interviewed twenty veterans dealing with PTSD (ten Bedouin and ten Jewish) and ten mental health professionals. Participants shared their experiences of symptoms, the ways they coped, and their perception of the costs and benefits of psychological treatment. Two main themes emerged: (i) ‘Veterans’ Perceptions of Their Mental Injury’. In stark contrast to their Jewish counterparts, Bedouin participants described extreme lack of understanding regarding the relationship between their exposure to combat trauma and their distress; (ii) ‘Veterans’ Perceptions of the Mental Health Services’. Bedouin veterans expressed fear of the stigma associated with PTSD and its detrimental social implications, for them and their families. Jewish veterans emphasised the beneficial and informative role of therapy. The findings underscore the impact of different cultural codes on help-seeking behaviours and on the ability to benefit from psychological treatment. It is recommended that mental health practitioners consider cultural backgrounds and individual differences when implementing trauma interventions, to fine-tune their suitability to veterans facing excessive barriers to care.

中文翻译：

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承认创伤后应激障碍：以色列贝都因人和犹太战斗退伍军人之间的治疗利用

应对创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）的许多退伍军人不寻求心理治疗。我们探讨了以色列退伍军人两个不同文化群体（贝都因人和犹太人）中疾病识别和治疗利用的本质。使用定性研究方法，我们采访了与创伤后应激障碍有关的二十名退伍军人（十名贝都因人和十名犹太人）和十名精神卫生专业人员。参与者分享了他们的症状经历，应对方法以及对心理治疗成本和收益的认识。出现了两个主要主题：（i）“退伍军人”对其心理伤害的看法。与犹太同龄人形成鲜明对比的是，贝都因人的参加者描述了他们对战斗创伤的暴露与痛苦之间的关系极度缺乏了解。（ii）对精神卫生服务的“退伍军人”感悟。贝都因人退伍军人表示担心与创伤后应激障碍相关的污名及其对他们及其家人的不利社会影响。犹太退伍军人强调了治疗的有益和有益的作用。这些发现强调了不同的文化规范对寻求帮助行为以及从心理治疗中受益的能力的影响。建议精神卫生从业人员在实施创伤干预措施时考虑文化背景和个体差异，以调整其对面临过多护理障碍的退伍军人的适应性。犹太退伍军人强调了治疗的有益和有益的作用。这些发现强调了不同的文化规范对寻求帮助行为以及从心理治疗中受益的能力的影响。建议精神卫生从业人员在实施创伤干预措施时考虑文化背景和个体差异，以调整其对面临过多护理障碍的退伍军人的适应性。犹太退伍军人强调了治疗的有益和有益的作用。这些发现强调了不同的文化规范对寻求帮助行为以及从心理治疗中受益的能力的影响。建议精神卫生从业人员在实施创伤干预措施时考虑文化背景和个体差异，以调整其对面临过多护理障碍的退伍军人的适应性。