Well-being of Canadian Armed Forces veterans and spouses of veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic: Protocol for a prospective longitudinal survey
APA Citation:
Forchuk, C. A., Nazarov, A., Plouffe, R. A., Liu, J. J. W., Deda, E., Le, T., Gargala, D., Soares, V., Bourret-Gheysen, J., St Cyr, K., Nouri, M. S., Housseiny, F., Smith, P., Dupuis, G., Roth, M., Marlborough, M., Jetly, R., Heber, A., Lanius, R., & Don Richardson, J. (2022). Well-being of Canadian Armed Forces veterans and spouses of veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic: Protocol for a prospective longitudinal survey. JMIR Res Protoc., 11(1), e34984. https://doi.org/10.2196/34984
Focus:
Veterans
Physical health
Mental health
Branch of Service:
International Military
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Veteran
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Longitudinal Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Forchuk, Callista A., Nazarov, Anthony, Plouffe, Rachel A., Liu, Jenny Jw, Deda, Erisa, Le, Tri, Gargala, Dominic, Soares, Vanessa, Bourret-Gheysen, Jesse, St Cyr, Kate, Nouri, Maede S., Hosseiny, Fardous, Smith, Patrick, Dupuis, Gabrielle, Roth, Maya, Marlborough, Michelle, Jetly, Rakesh, Heber, Alexandra, Lanius, Ruth, Richardson, J. Don
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes to everyday life, including social distancing mandates, changes to health care, and a heightened risk of infection. Previous research has shown that Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans are at higher risk of developing mental and physical health conditions. Veterans and their families may face unique social challenges that can compound with pandemic-related disruptions to negatively impact well-being. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to longitudinally characterize the mental health of CAF Veterans and spouses of CAF Veterans throughout the pandemic and to understand the dynamic influences of pandemic-related stressors on psychological health over time. METHODS: We employed a prospective longitudinal panel design using an online data collection platform. Study participation was open to all CAF Veterans and spouses of CAF Veterans residing in Canada. Participants were asked to complete a comprehensive battery of assessments representing psychological well-being, chronic pain, health care access patterns, physical environment, employment, social integration, and adjustment to pandemic-related lifestyle changes. Follow-up assessments were conducted every three months over an 18-month period. This study was approved by the Western University Health Sciences and Lawson Health Research Institute Research Ethics Boards. RESULTS: Baseline data were collected between July 2020 and February 2021. Three population segments participated in the study: 1047 Veterans, 366 spouses of Veterans, and 125 Veterans who are also spouses of Veterans completed baseline data collection. As of November 2021, data collection is ongoing, with participants completing the 9 or 12-month follow-up surveys depending on their date of self-enrollment. Data collection across all timepoints will be complete in September 2022. CONCLUSIONS: This longitudinal survey is unique in its comprehensive assessment of domains relevant to Veterans and spouses of Veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic, ranging from occupational, demographic, social, mental and physical domains, to perceptions and experiences with health care treatments and access. The results of this study will be used to inform policy for Veteran and Veteran family support, and to best prepare for similar emergencies should they occur in the future.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Pub Med
Publication Type:
Article
Author Affiliation:
The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, CAF
The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, AN
The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, RAP
The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, JJWL
The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, TL
The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, DG
The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, VS
The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, JBG
The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, KSC
The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, MSN
The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, JDR
Department of Psychiatry, Western University, AN
Department of Psychiatry, Western University, RAP
Department of Psychiatry, Western University, JJWL
Department of Psychiatry, Western University, MM
Department of Psychiatry, Western University, RL
Department of Psychiatry, Western University, JDR
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, AN
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, JDR
St. Joseph's Operational Stress Injury Clinic, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, ED
St. Joseph's Operational Stress Injury Clinic, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, MR
St. Joseph's Operational Stress Injury Clinic, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, MM
St. Joseph's Operational Stress Injury Clinic, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, RL
St. Joseph's Operational Stress Injury Clinic, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, JDR
Department of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, KSC
Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Related Mental Health Conditions, FH
Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Related Mental Health Conditions, PS
Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Related Mental Health Conditions, GD
The Royal's Institute for Mental Health Research, FH
The Royal's Institute for Mental Health Research, PS
The Royal's Institute for Mental Health Research, GD
The Royal's Institute for Mental Health Research, RJ
Yeates School of Graduate Studies, Ryerson University, MR
Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, AH
Veterans Affairs Canada, AH
Keywords:
covid-19, wellbeing, social challenges