Rationale There are theoretical reasons to expect loneliness related to firearm purchasing. For instance, loneliness might amplify social isolation and feelings of insecurity, anxiety, perceived danger, and need for self-reliance. Purchasing a firearm might be seen as a way to bolster one's security and gain a sense of control when faced with potential threats, yet there is a lack of research assessing this possibility. Objective This study aimed to examine the relationship between loneliness and purchasing a firearm among a sample of low-income U.S. military veterans. Methods Data are from a national survey of 1,004 low-income U.S. veterans collected in December 2022 and January 2023. Firth logistic regression—a rare event logistic regression model to address small-sample bias stemming from rare outcomes through a penalized likelihood approach—was used to estimate the adjusted association between loneliness and purchasing a firearm in the past year. Results Approximately 5.4% reported the purchase of a new firearm in the past year, and respondents reported an average loneliness score of 1.82 (standard deviation = 1.96; range = 0–6). Results of Firth Logit regression analyses found that net of control variables for demographic, socioeconomic, and household characteristics, loneliness was positively associated with purchasing a firearm in the past year (OR = 1.167, 95% CI = 1.006, 1.352). Conclusion The findings indicate that loneliness among U.S. military veterans is associated with firearm purchasing. Considering the risks posed by both loneliness and firearm ownership for veteran suicide, the findings suggest the need for greater focus and synergistic strategies to address loneliness and safe firearm practices among U.S. veterans.
Search Results
Library (17)
Showing library results for: January 2023
1 - 17 of 17
Loneliness and firearm acquisition among low-income U.S. veterans: Findings from the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences (NV-HOPE) study
APA Citation:
Testa, A., & Tsai, J. (2023). Loneliness and firearm acquisition among low-income U.S. veterans: Findings from the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences (NV-HOPE) study. Social Science & Medicine, 338, Article 116356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116356
Focus:
Veterans
Other
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Aged (65 yrs & older)
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Research
Testa, Alexander; Tsai, Jack
2023
2 The exploration of the GWOT combat amputee’s experience with longitudinal care: A qualitative study
The exploration of the GWOT combat amputee’s experience with longitudinal care: A qualitative study
APA Citation:
Pursel, A., Nichols, R., Evans, D., & Lindquist, K. (2023). The exploration of the GWOT combat amputee’s experience with longitudinal care: A qualitative study. Military Medicine, Article usad490. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usad490
Focus:
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Marine Corps
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research
Pursel, Alexander; Nichols, Ryoma; Evans, Dan; Lindquist, Kristina
2023
Contemporary advances in combat medicine have allowed greater numbers of wounded service members to survive their injuries. An estimated 1,705 combat veterans sustained major lower or upper extremity amputations between 2001 and 2017 during the Global War on Terror. This study intends to answer the following question utilizing a qualitative study design: What were the common and abnormal experiences of the Global War on Terror combat amputees relative to their mechanism of injury, perception of injury, and systems of care utilized during their recovery and rehabilitation process?.During the months of December 2022 and January 2023, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with U.S. Marines that served in the Global War on Terror (total n = 10). Deductive and inductive approaches were employed to identify codes, themes, and meta-themes in the data.All participants deployed to Afghanistan between the years 2010 and 2014 and were assigned to the following military occupational specialties: Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians (total n = 2); combat engineers (total n = 2); and infantrymen (total n = 6). Analysis of data collected from interviews highlighted these key observations: (1) Themes in the combat amputee experience include support, systems of care, and mindset and (2) the themes synergistically contribute to the meta-themes mental health and pain and vice versa. As all participants were subjected to a blast mechanism of injury, it is difficult to determine if this played a role in deviating rehabilitation and recovery processes. Perception of injury and how well participants adapted to their new lifestyle, meaning how optimistic they were, appeared to play a significant role in recovery. Participants had mixed feelings about the care they had received but generally spoke favorably of military hospitals and were frustrated with the Veteran Affairs, and there was no clear consensus on their relationship with civilian health care, though most participants chose to seek most of their care through the Veteran Affairs.Based on the research question, this study found an intricate relationship between mental health, pain, and the experiences of the participants regarding their care and rehabilitation. However, the nature of qualitative research makes it impossible to determine generalizations that can be used to create meaningful change to address improving combat amputee veteran care. Further research into long-term health outcomes based on hypotheses not evaluated in existing literature would further improve the ability of health care providers to care for this unique patient population.
3 Family member incarceration and loneliness among low-income U.S. veterans
Family member incarceration and loneliness among low-income U.S. veterans
APA Citation:
Testa, A., & Tsai, J. (2024). Family member incarceration and loneliness among low-income U.S. veterans. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 94(3), 352-361. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000736
Focus:
Veterans
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research
Testa, Alexander; Tsai, Jack
2024
Exposure to incarceration can have significant ramifications for one’s social relationships. However, the study of how the incarceration of a family member influences loneliness, including among specific segments of the population that experience elevated levels of loneliness, such as U.S. military veterans, has gone understudied. This study aimed to examine the relationship between family member incarceration and perceptions of loneliness among a sample of low-income U.S. military veterans. Data are from the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences Study—a national survey of low-income U.S. veterans collected in December 2022 and January 2023. Multiple Poisson is used to assess the relationship between family member incarceration and a loneliness index, and multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship with specific constructs in the loneliness index. The results indicate that respondents who ever experienced the incarceration of a family member reported significantly more loneliness (incidence risk ratio = 1.189, 95% CI [1.035, 1.366]). Further, analyses of the specific items in the loneliness index revealed that family member incarceration was related to an increased risk of reporting feelings of often lacking companionship (relative risk ratio = 1.598, 95% CI [1.077, 2.370]) and often feeling isolated from others (1.711, 95% CI [1.014, 2.886]). Given the potential adverse consequences of loneliness and family member incarceration for well-being, the results from this study emphasize the need for increased attention and coordinated approaches in addressing feelings of loneliness, developing efforts to mitigate the harms of family member incarceration within the U.S. veteran community.
4 Military Adolescent Pandemic Study 2021: MAPS21
Military Adolescent Pandemic Study 2021: MAPS21
APA Citation:
Thomas, J. S., Trimillos, A., & Allsbrook-Huisman, S. (2022). Military Adolescent Pandemic Study 2021: MAPS21. Journal of School Health, 92(11), 1051–1061. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13227
Focus:
Children
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Army
Navy
Air Force
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Population:
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Thomas, Jennifer S.; Trimillos, Amanda; Allsbrook-Huisman, Stacy
2022
BACKGROUND Military-connected students move between 6 to 9 times throughout their K-12 experience, creating unique challenges relating to integration, adaptation, identity development, and acceptance. However, when transitions occur during a global pandemic, isolation and disconnect with schools and the community create new challenges that impact health and well-being. The MAPS21 study uncovers the lived experiences of military-connected students who have experienced a transition during the pandemic and gives rise to the need for interdisciplinary care within the public-school setting to promote mental health and academic support during and post-pandemic transitions. METHODS Military adolescents and their parent(s) were interviewed and data were analyzed following an interpretive phenomenological process. A social-ecological model served as the guide to understand the participants' experiences and to further inform future supportive measures. RESULTS Seven subthemes surface under Individual, Relationships, Community, and Society and Policy, the levels within the social-ecological model. These subthemes included: anticipatory processes, control, growth and maturity, adapting views, isolation, school support, community support. Conclusion Military-connected students may experience adverse outcomes relating to mental health and academic progression after experiencing a move during the pandemic. This study provides an avenue for teams of interdisciplinary professionals to collaborate within the public-school setting to provide proactive support through engagement and policy development.
Organizational context as a predictor of positive adjustment among soldiers following combat deployment
APA Citation:
Gutierrez, I. A., & Adler, A. B. (2022). Organizational context as a predictor of positive adjustment among soldiers following combat deployment. Occupational Health Science, 6, 451–473. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41542-022-00120-0
Focus:
Deployment
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Gutierrez, Ian A.; Adler, Amy B.
2022
Occupational models of soldier health have emphasized the importance of conceptualizing adjustment to stressful events in terms of positive outcomes, not just the absence of negative outcomes. However, research on adjustment following deployment has primarily examined negative outcomes, and comparatively little attention has been paid to identifying factors associated with positive outcomes following combat deployment. To better understand predictors of positive adjustment, we analyzed surveys from 550 soldiers administered four months and seven months following a combat deployment to assess how changes in perceived leadership quality, unit cohesion, and perceived organizational support affected three indices of positive adjustment: agency, work effectiveness, and life satisfaction. At the bivariate level, unit cohesion, leadership, and perceived organizational support were positively associated with all three indicators of positive adjustment. Longitudinal difference score models with the three occupational factors included simultaneously revealed that changes in unit cohesion were positively associated with agency and life satisfaction, changes in ratings of non-commissioned officer leadership were positively associated with change in all three well-being outcomes, and changes in perceived organizational support were positively associated with agency and work effectiveness. Findings highlight the importance of cohesion, leadership, and organizational support for enhancing positive outcomes among recently deployed soldiers.
Body image and psychosocial well-being among UK military personnel and veterans who sustained appearance-altering conflict injuries
APA Citation:
Keeling, M., Williamson, H., Williams, V. S., Kiff, J., Evans, S., Murphy, D., & Harcourt, D. (2023). Body image and psychosocial well-being among UK military personnel and veterans who sustained appearance-altering conflict injuries. Military Psychology, 35(1), 12-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2058302
Focus:
Mental health
Trauma
Veterans
Branch of Service:
International Military
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Keeling, Mary; Williamson, Heidi; Williams, Victoria S.; Kiff, James; Evans, Sarah; Murphy, Dominic; Harcourt, Diana
2023
A modest but significant number of military personnel sustained injuries during deployments resulting in an altered-appearance (e.g., limb loss and/or scarring). Civilian research indicates that appearance-altering injuries can affect psychosocial wellbeing, yet little is known about the impact of such injuries among injured personnel. This study aimed to understand the psychosocial impact of appearance-altering injuries and possible support needs among UK military personnel and veterans. Semi-structured interviews with 23 military participants who sustained appearance-altering injuries during deployments or training since 1969 were conducted. The interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, identifying six master themes. These themes indicate that in the context of broader recovery experiences, military personnel and veterans experience a variety of psychosocial difficulties related to their changed appearance. While some of these are consistent with evidence from civilians, military-related nuances in the challenges, protective experiences, coping approaches, and preferences for support are evident. Personnel and veterans with appearance-altering injuries may require specific support for adjusting to their changed appearance and related difficulties. However, barriers to acknowledging appearance concerns were identified. Implications for support provision and future research are discussed.
7 VetConnect Cancer Navigator: Enhancing care for veterans with breast and gynecologic cancers
VetConnect Cancer Navigator: Enhancing care for veterans with breast and gynecologic cancers
APA Citation:
Rasmussen, K. M., Halwani, A. S., Patil, V., Morreall, D., Li, C., McShinsky, R., Burningham, Z. R., Collins, S., Underwood, P. R., Kelley, M. J., Colonna, S. V., & Moss, H. (2023). VetConnect Cancer Navigator: Enhancing care for veterans with breast and gynecologic cancers. JCO Oncology Practice, 19(11_suppl), 554-554. https://doi.org/10.1200/OP.2023.19.11_suppl.554
Focus:
Veterans
Programming
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Research
Rasmussen, Kelli M.; Halwani, Ahmad Sami; Patil, Vikas; Morreall, Deborah; Li, Chunyang; McShinsky, Richard; Burningham, Zachary R.; Collins, Sarah; Underwood, Phelisa R.; Kelley, Michael J.; Colonna, Sarah Violet; Moss, Haley
2023
554 Background: With women becoming the fastest-growing group in the Veteran population, the prevalence of breast and gynecologic cancers among Veterans is a growing concern. Studies have demonstrated higher rates of breast cancer among Veterans compared to nonveterans. As the number of women Veterans continues to rise, an increased incidence of breast and gynecologic cancers is expected. Unfortunately, efficient identification of newly diagnosed cases among Veterans is often lacking, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. The Breast/Gynecological System of Excellence (BGSOE) aims to ensure that Veterans with breast and gynecologic cancers receive state-of-the-art, guideline-adherent care, whether within the VA system or at outside institutions. Methods: To address this issue, BGSOE stakeholders collaborated to develop a comprehensive care coordination infrastructure called the VetConnect Cancer Navigator. This tool not only identifies newly diagnosed cases of breast and/or gynecologic cancers, but also provides additional navigation support to Veterans who may be receiving their cancer care within the VA or other healthcare systems. The development process involved designing a user-friendly interface, extracting relevant data, and integrating advanced analytics to optimize user experience. Continuous evaluations, both formal and informal, were conducted to ensure optimal usability and workflow fitness. In January 2023, the VetConnect Cancer Navigator was launched as a pilot program at the Durham VA Medical Center. Results: From January 2021 to June 2023, a total of 5,519 Veterans were identified with newly diagnosed breast and/or gynecologic cancers throughout the entire nationwide VA system. Since the launch of the navigator at the Durham VA Medical Center pilot site, it has successfully identified 37 Veterans with newly diagnosed breast and/or gynecologic cancers. Of these cases, 27 patients have been contacted by the dedicated nurse navigator, 22 have completed an intake form, and 18 have agreed to enroll in the BGSOE navigation program. Conclusions: The VetConnect Cancer Navigator represents a pioneering approach to the design and implementation of health information technology tools. As demonstrated through the pilot site, the navigator facilitates innovative coordination and delivery of healthcare, specifically tailored to the need of the BGSOE program, this tool significantly enhances the quality of care provided to Veterans with breast and/or gynecologic cancers. Through improved care coordination and navigation support, the VetConnect Cancer Navigator plays a crucial role in ensuring Veterans receive optimal, guideline-based care regardless of their treatment location within or outside the VA system.
“You want people to listen to you”: Patient experiences of women's healthcare within the Veterans Health Administration
APA Citation:
Mog, A. C., Benson, S. K., Sriskantharajah, V., Kelly, P. A., Gray, K. E., Callegari, L. S., Moy, E. M., & Katon, J. G. (2024). “You want people to listen to you”: Patient experiences of women's healthcare within the Veterans Health Administration. Health Services Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.14324
Focus:
Veterans
Physical health
Programming
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)
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Research
Mog, Ashley C.; Benson, Samantha K.; Sriskantharajah, Vyshnika; Kelly, P. Adam; Gray, Kristen E.; Callegari, Lisa S.; Moy, Ernest M.; Katon, Jodie G.
2024
Objective To identify constructs that are critical in shaping Veterans' experiences with Veterans Health Administration (VA) women's healthcare, including any which have been underexplored or are not included in current VA surveys of patient experience. Data Sources and Study Setting From June 2022 to January 2023, we conducted 28 semi-structured interviews with a diverse, national sample of Veterans who use VA women's healthcare. Study Design Using VA data, we divided Veteran VA-users identified as female into four groups stratified by age (dichotomized at age 45) and race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White vs. all other). We enrolled Veterans continuously from each recruitment strata until thematic saturation was reached. Data Collection/Extraction Methods For this qualitative study, we asked Veterans about past VA healthcare experiences. Interview questions were guided by a priori domains identified from review of the literature, including trust, safety, respect, privacy, communication and discrimination. Analysis occurred concurrently with interviews, using inductive and deductive content analysis. Principal Findings We identified five themes influencing Veterans' experiences of VA women's healthcare: feeling valued and supported, bodily autonomy, discrimination, past military experiences and trauma, and accessible care. Each emergent theme was associated with multiple of the a priori domains we asked about in the interview guide. Conclusions Our findings underscore the need for a measure of patient experience tailored to VA women's healthcare. Existing patient experience measures used within VA fail to address several aspects of experience highlighted by our study, including bodily autonomy, the influence of past military experiences and trauma on healthcare, and discrimination. Understanding distinct factors that influence women and gender-diverse Veterans' experiences with VA care is critical to advance efforts by VA to measure and improve the quality and equity of care for all Veterans.
Association of problematic anger with long-term adjustment following the military-to-civilian transition
APA Citation:
Adler, A. B., LeardMann, C. A., Villalobos, J., Jacobson, I. G., & Forbes, D. (2022). Association of problematic anger with long-term adjustment following the military-to-civilian transition. JAMA Network Open, 5(7), Article e2223236. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.23236
Focus:
Mental health
Couples
Branch of Service:
Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Reserve
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Adler, Amy B.; LeardMann, Cynthia A.; Villalobos, Javier; Jacobson, Isabel G.; Forbes, David
2022
Few studies have examined the role of problematic anger in long-term adjustment of service members transitioning out of the military.To determine the prevalence of problematic anger during the military-to-civilian transition period and the association of problematic anger with adjustment to civilian life.This cohort study used 2 waves of survey data administered approximately 5 years apart (time 1 [T1; September 26, 2014, to August 25, 2016] and time 2 [T2; October 23, 2019, to August 31, 2021]) from the Millennium Cohort Study, a population-based military study. Participants were US active-duty service members within 24 months of separating from military service at T1. Statistical analysis was performed from September 2021 to May 2022.Problematic anger was operationalized as scoring at least 12 points on the 5-item Dimensions of Anger Reactions scale at T1.Behavioral and functional health (depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, problem drinking, functional limitations), relationship health (relationship quality, coping with parental demands, social support), and economic health (major financial problems, financial insecurity, homelessness, employment status) were assessed at T2. Covariates, assessed at T1, included demographics, military characteristics, mental health, problem drinking, and physical health.Of the 3448 participants, 2625 (76.1%) were male, 217 (6.3%) were Hispanic, 293 (8.5%) were non-Hispanic Black, and 2690 (78.0%) were non-Hispanic White; the mean (SD) age was 40.1 (8.5) years; 826 (24.0%) met criteria for problematic anger. Prevalence of problematic anger was 15.9% (95% CI, 12.2%-19.7%) 24 months prior to military separation and 31.2% (95% CI, 26.2%-36.2%) 24 months following separation. After adjusting for covariates, problematic anger was associated with greater likelihood of behavioral and functional health outcomes (eg, posttraumatic stress disorder: adjusted odds ratio, 1.55, 95% CI, 1.23-1.96), relationship health difficulties (eg, low social support: aOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.23-2.24), and economic difficulties (eg, substantial financial insecurity: aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.13-2.39) at T2.This cohort study found an association between prevalence of problematic anger during the military-to-civilian transition and problematic anger with subsequent adjustment difficulties among US service members. These findings suggest the need to equip service members proactively with skills to identify and manage anger as a way to support them before and during this period of transition.
10 Beyond just resilience: The important role of work-family resources for military service members
Beyond just resilience: The important role of work-family resources for military service members
APA Citation:
Wong, J. R., Crain, T. L., Brossoit, R. M., Hammer, L. B., Bodner, T. E., & Brady, J. M. (2022). Beyond just resilience: The important role of work-family resources for military service members. Occupational Health Sciences, 6, 425-450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41542-022-00111-1
Focus:
Couples
Parents
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Guard
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Wong, Jacqueline R.; Crain, Tori L.; Brossoit, Rebecca M.; Hammer, Leslie B.; Bodner, Todd E.; Brady, Jacquelyn M.
2022
The military has allocated extensive resources to improve service member resilience in an effort to decrease the impact of stressors on health and well-being. Previous research has linked resilience to various positive outcomes (e.g., physical and mental health, job satisfaction) and has established that service members face unique and challenging work-family experiences. However, the importance of resilience to work-family experiences remains underexplored. Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this study examines the relationships between resilience (i.e., the ability to bounce back from stressors) and work-family outcomes, and whether organizational work-family resources of work-family climate perceptions and family-supportive supervisor behavior moderate these relationships. Based on a sample of 417 Army National Guard service members from 10 workgroups, and using a multilevel path model, we found that more resilient service members experience lower family-to-work conflict and greater work-to-family enrichment. Further, the relationship between resilience and family-to-work enrichment was significant and stronger for service members who perceive their work climate as family-supportive compared to the relationship for those who do not. Improving resilience in military personnel may help to facilitate positive work-family experiences, but resilience is likely most beneficial when organizational work-family resources (i.e., a family-supportive work climate) are also available.
11 Pilot trial of Strength at Home Parents: A trauma-informed parenting support treatment for veterans
Pilot trial of Strength at Home Parents: A trauma-informed parenting support treatment for veterans
APA Citation:
Creech, S. K., Pearson, R., Saenz, J. J., Braciszewski, J. M., Riggs, S. A., & Taft, C. T. (2022). Pilot trial of Strength at Home Parents: A trauma-informed parenting support treatment for veterans.Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 11(3), 205–216. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000232
Focus:
Parents
Mental health
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Creech, Suzannah K.; Pearson, Rahel; Saenz, Jeremy J.; Braciszewski, Jordan M.; Riggs, Shelley A.; Taft, Casey T.
2022
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with compromised parenting which is not adequately addressed in available evidence-based PTSD treatments. Strength at Home—Parents (SAHP) is a trauma-informed parenting intervention which aims to improve parenting behaviors and overall parent–child functioning. Here, we report pilot data obtained in a sample of veterans (N = 21) with PTSD and parent–child functioning difficulties. Results support the feasibility of study methods, and intervention acceptability, credibility, and satisfaction. Movement on primary outcome measures suggested improved overall family functioning, a decrease in the use of dysfunctional parenting practices, an increase in positive parenting practices, and a trend toward a reduction in parenting stress. Results should be interpreted with caution because of the small sample size and attrition at follow-up. Limitations withstanding, findings support further study of the intervention, which would provide insights into whether an efficacy trial is indicated.
Family-involved mental healthcare among OEF/OIF veterans with and without PTSD using VHA administrative records
APA Citation:
Harper, K. L., Thompson-Hollands, J., Keane, T. M., & Marx, B. P. (2022). Family-involved mental health care among OEF/OIF with and without PTSD using VHA administrative records. Behavior Therapy, 53(5), 819-827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2022.01.006
Focus:
Mental health
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Army
Marine Corps
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Harper, Kelly L.; Thompson-Hollands, Johanna; Keane, Terence M.; Marx, Brian P.
2022
Prior research indicates that veterans are interested in including family members in healthcare and that family-inclusive mental health treatment can improve treatment outcomes. Consequently, the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) directive require providers to offer family-inclusive mental health services to veterans. However, the extent to which veterans engage in family-inclusive mental health services at VHA remains unclear. Using data from a longitudinal registry of male and female veterans with and without PTSD, we examined the extent to which veterans included family members in their mental healthcare and predictors of engagement in family-involved therapy visits using VHA administrative records over a 5-year timespan. Of the 1,329 veterans who received mental health care during the study, 8.4% received a family therapy visit and the number of visits per veteran ranged from 1 to 34. Results from logistic regressions indicate that relative to White veterans, Black veterans were 61% less likely to receive a family-involved therapy visit. Married veterans or veterans living with a partner and veterans with poor romantic relationship functioning, were more likely to receive a family-involved therapy visit. These findings indicate that only a small percentage of veterans received a family therapy visit across 5 years. Efforts to understand barriers to family-involved therapy visits and strategies to increase engagement in family-involved visits may improve clinical outcomes and promote patient-centered care.
Longitudinal patterns of military spousal alcohol consumption: Findings from the Millennium Cohort Family Study
APA Citation:
Sparks, A. C., Williams, C. S., Pflieger, J. C., Jacobson, I., Corry, N. H., Radakrishnan, S., & Stander, V. A. (2022). Longitudinal patterns of military spousal alcohol consumption: Findings from the Millennium Cohort Family Study. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 84(4), 546-555. https://doi.org/10.15288.jsad.2022.83.546
Focus:
Substance use
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Air Force
Coast Guard
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Reserve
Guard
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Sparks, Alicia C.; Williams, Christianna S.; Pflieger, Jacqueline C.; Jacobson, Isabel; Corry, Nida H.; Radakrishnan, Sharmini; Stander, Valerie A.
2022
OBJECTIVE: Alcohol use in the military is prevalent and has short- and long-term health, safety, and career consequences. Although several studies have examined service members' alcohol consumption, few have focused on alcohol use among military spouses. This study assessed factors at individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels to determine associations with risky alcohol use among military spouses. METHOD: Data from baseline and first follow-up of the Millennium Cohort Family Study were used (N = 5,475; 4,923 female) to model spousal self-reported risky drinking (heavy and/or binge drinking) at follow-up. Predictors included demographic characteristics, spousal adverse childhood experiences and mental health, smoking status, marital status, family satisfaction, social support, military stress, and service member military characteristics. Logistic regression models assessed the adjusted associations between spouse and service member characteristics and spousal risky drinking at follow-up. RESULTS: Among spouses in this sample, 19% were risky drinkers at follow-up. Baseline alcohol use status was associated with risky drinking at follow-up. Most spouses (64.2%) did not change their drinking behavior between baseline and follow-up; those who did change were nearly evenly split between an increasing (17.0%) versus decreasing (18.7%) pattern. Risk factors included male gender, cigarette smoking, elevated symptoms of post-traumatic stress, marital separation, and service member deployment with combat. CONCLUSIONS: Although most military spouses were not engaging in risky drinking, one in five were, with about half of these having moved into the risky drinking category over time. Risky alcohol use among spouses has ramifications for themselves, the service member, and the family unit.
14 Journey to wellness: A socioecological analysis of veterans in recovery from substance use disorders
Journey to wellness: A socioecological analysis of veterans in recovery from substance use disorders
APA Citation:
Grisamore, S. P., Nguyen, R. L., Wiedbusch, E. K., Guerrero, M., Cope, C. E. A., Abo, M. G., & Jason, L. A. (2022). Journey to wellness: A socioecological analysis of veterans in recovery from substance use disorders. American Journal of Community Psychology, 70(3-4), 394-406. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12615
Focus:
Substance use
Veterans
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Grisamore, Simone P.; Nguyen, Rebecca L.; Wiedbusch, Elzbieta K.; Guerrero, Mayra; Cope, Carlie E. A.; Abo, Mary G.; Jason, Leonard A.
2022
Substance use disorders are increasingly prevalent among veterans in the United States. Veterans in recovery face unique challenges, such as high rates of psychiatric comorbidities, difficulties adjusting to civilian life, and inadequate housing and mental health services. While prior research has explored veterans' experiences in recovery, studies have not implemented a multilevel perspective in their analyses. The current qualitative study examined how individual veteran experiences intersect with interpersonal and systemic factors. Semistructured focus groups were conducted with veterans who were former or current residents of recovery homes (N = 20). Thematic analysis was utilized to explore veterans' personal experiences through the CHIME-D framework (connectedness, hope & optimism, identity, meaning in life, empowerment, and difficulties). The data were further analyzed within a socioecological model (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community). Each component of the CHIME-D framework was salient across all focus groups, with connectedness, empowerment, and difficulties being the most prominent themes that occurred across all socioecological levels. Results suggest that recovery initiatives can effectively assist veterans by promoting empowerment, facilitating social connections, and addressing cooccurring difficulties across multiple socioecological contexts. Additionally, treatment programs should encourage veterans to take on meaningful roles in their communities. Future research should continue to explore veterans' recovery experiences using a socioecological model.
Attachment-based relationship satisfaction in deployed and non-deployed military veterans with prevalent PTSD, anxiety, and depression
APA Citation:
Ponder, W. N., Whitworth, J., Ross, K., & Sherrill, T. (2022). Attachment-based relationship satisfaction in deployed and non-deployed military veterans with prevalent PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Journal of Veteran Studies, 8(3), 47-53. https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs. v8i3.330
Focus:
Veterans
Mental health
Deployment
Couples
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Ponder, Warren N.; Whitworth, James; Ross, Kristin; Sherrill, Tempa
2022
After almost two decades of war, unprecedented operational tempos have remained high for the American military. This has left those on the home front (non-deploying veterans) a little behind since scholarship has mostly focused on veterans who have deployed. This study used a voluntary treatment-seeking sample of veterans who have not deployed (n = 49) and veterans who have deployed (n = 68) to address this gap in the literature. This study examines the associations between attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, mental health constructs (i.e., generalized anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder), and relationship satisfaction. Independent samples t-test comparisons, correlational analyses, and two hierarchical regressions were conducted. The variables that were significantly correlated with relationship satisfaction for both samples were attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety. In the non-deployed sample, the regression was not statistically significant. However, in the deployed sample the regression was statistically significant. In the final step of the hierarchical regression, only attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety were significant predictors of relationship satisfaction. Implications for social work and other behavioral health clinicians are highlighted, including the benefits of practitioners working to help veterans develop and maintain supportive partners and other relationships, particularly through using the attachment theory-based approach of Emotionally Focused Therapy.
16 Using family narrative reports to identify practices for improving end-of-life care quality
Using family narrative reports to identify practices for improving end-of-life care quality
APA Citation:
Giannitrapani, K. F., Yefimova, M., McCaa, M. D., Goebel, J. R., Kutney-Lee, A., Gray, C., Shreve, S. T., & Lorenz, K. A. (2022). Using family narrative reports to identify practices for improving end-of-life care quality. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 64(4), 349-358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.06.017
Focus:
Veterans
Physical health
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Giannitrapani, Karleen F.; Yefimova, Maria; McCaa, Matthew D.; Goebel, Joy R.; Kutney-Lee, Ann; Gray, Caroline; Shreve, Scott T.; Lorenz, Karl A.
2022
Context Patient experiences should be considered by healthcare systems when implementing care practices to improve quality of end-of-life care. Families and caregivers of recent in-patient decedents may be best positioned to recommend practices for quality improvement. Objectives To identify actionable practices that bereaved families highlight as contributing to high quality end-of-life care. Methods We conducted qualitative content analysis of narrative responses to the Bereaved Family Surveys Veterans Health Administration inpatient decedents. Out of 5964 completed surveys in 2017, 4604 (77%) contained at least one word in response to the open-ended questions. For feasibility, 1500/4604 responses were randomly selected for analysis. An additional 300 randomly selected responses were analyzed to confirm saturation. Results Over 23% percent (355/1500) of the initially analyzed narrative responses contained actionable practices. By synthesizing narrative responses to the BFS in a national healthcare system, we identified 98 actionable practices reported by the bereaved families that have potential for implementation in QI efforts. Specifically, we identified 67 end-of-life practices and 31 practices in patient-centered care domains of physical environment, food, staffing, coordination, technology and transportation. The 67 cluster into domains including respectful care and communication, emotional and spiritual support, death benefits, symptom management. Sorting these practices by target levels for organizational change illuminated opportunities for implementation. Conclusion Narrative responses from bereaved family members can yield approaches for systematic quality improvement. These approaches can serve as a menu in diverse contexts looking for approaches to improve patient quality of death in in-patient settings.
Associations among alexithymia, disordered eating, and depressive symptoms in treatment-seeking adolescent military dependents at risk for adult binge-eating disorder and obesity
APA Citation:
Rice, A., Lavender, J. M., Shank, L. M., Higgins Neyland, M. K., Markos, B., Repke, H., Haynes, H., Gallagher-Teske, J., Schvey, N. A., Sbrocco, T., Wilfley, D. E., Ford, B., Ford, C. B., Jorgensen, S., Yanovski, J. A., Haigney M., Klein, D. A., Quinlan, J., & Tanofsky-Kraff, M. (2022). Associations among alexithymia, disordered eating, and depressive symptoms in treatment-seeking adolescent military dependents at risk for adult binge-eating disorder and obesity. Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 27, 3083-3093. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-022-01429-z
Focus:
Youth
Physical health
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Rice, Alexander; Lavender, Jason M.; Shank, Lisa M.; Higgins Neyland, M. K.; Markos, Bethelhem; Repke, Hannah; Haynes, Hannah; Gallagher-Teske, Julia; Schvey, Natasha A.; Sbrocco, Tracy; Wilfley, Denise E.; Ford, Brian; Ford, Caitlin B.; Jorgensen, Sarah; Yanovski, Jack A.; Haigney, Mark; Klein, David A.; Quinlan, Jeffrey; Tanofsky-Kraff, Marian
2022
Evidence suggests that difficulties identifying and describing one’s feelings, core components of alexithymia, are associated with attitudinal and behavioral symptoms of disordered eating; depressive symptoms also may underlie these associations. Specifically, research indicates that alexithymia is positively related to depressive symptoms, which in turn may promote both disordered-eating attitudes and certain disinhibited-eating behaviors (e.g., emotional eating). Findings also suggest that military-dependent youth with high weight may exhibit elevated depressive symptoms and disordered eating. As such, understanding associations among alexithymia, depressive symptoms, and disordered eating is particularly relevant for this vulnerable population.
