Emerging adult (EA; aged 18–29) military-connected students experience major developmental changes, often coupled with the transition into the civilian sector and higher education. This conglomeration may exacerbate anxiety, stress, and negative coping mechanisms, including substance use. Substance use rates are highest among EAs, across the lifespan. To our knowledge, limited research has looked at EA military-connected students’ transition into higher education during this developmental stage. We qualitatively interviewed 16 EA military-connected students who reported high-risk substance use behaviors. To our knowledge, no student veteran research study has considered this characteristic. This is important since military members are more likely to misuse substances and encounter related consequences than their civilian counterparts, and these developmental and transitional stressors put them at higher risk for misusing substances. In 74-minute interviews, we asked participants about (1) challenges transitioning into higher education and (2) techniques helping professionals should use to support EA military-connected students. Two coders employed Thematic Analysis to identify themes using NVivo. We found challenges include: (1) starting over, (2) unable to relate to others, (3) lacking a purpose or plan, (4) support system changes, and (5) people view you as only a veteran. EA military-connected students’ suggestions for helping professionals include: (1) use straightforward communication, (2) show a genuine interest, (3) offer guidance on creating a support system, and (4) treat me as a human, not only a veteran. This study provides translational examples for helping professionals such as encouraging involvement in military and veteran community organizations to promote a sense of belonging.
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Emerging adult military-connected students express challenges transitioning into higher education: Implications for helping professionals
APA Citation:
Clary, K. L., & Byrne, L. (2023). Emerging adult military-connected students express challenges transitioning into higher education: Implications for helping professionals. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 47(1), 22-37. https://doi.org/10.1080/10668926.2021.1925176
Focus:
Substance use
Other
Branch of Service:
Marine Corps
Navy
Air Force
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Guard
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Clary, Kelly Lynn; Byrne, Lucy
2023
2 The PTSD Family Coach app in veteran family members: Pilot randomized controlled trial
The PTSD Family Coach app in veteran family members: Pilot randomized controlled trial
APA Citation:
van Stolk-Cooke, K., Wielgosz, J., Wu Hallenbeck, H., Chang, A., Rosen, C., Owen, J., & Kuhn, E. (2023). The PTSD Family Coach app in veteran family members: Pilot randomized controlled trial. JMIR Formative Research, 7, Article e42053. https://doi.org/10.2196/42053
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Programming
Trauma
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Marine Corps
Navy
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 & Summary
van Stolk-Cooke, Katherine; Wielgosz, Joseph; Hallenbeck, Haijing Wu; Chang, Andrew; Rosen, Craig; Owen, Jason; Kuhn, Eric
2023
Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among US military veterans can adversely impact their concerned significant others (CSOs; eg, family members and romantic partners). Mobile apps can be tailored to support CSO mental health through psychoeducation, coping skills, and stress monitoring. Objective: This study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of PTSD Family Coach 1.0, a free, publicly available app that includes psychoeducation, stress management tools, self-assessments, and features for connecting to alternative supports, compared with a psychoeducation-only version of the app for cohabitating CSOs of veterans with PTSD. Methods: A total of 200 participants with an average age of 39 (SD 8.44) years, primarily female (193/200, 97%), and White (160/200, 80%) were randomized to self-guided use of either PTSD Family Coach 1.0 (n=104) or a psychoeducation-only app (n=96) for 4 weeks. Caregiver burden, stress, depression, anxiety, beliefs about treatment, CSO self-efficacy, and relationship functioning assessed using measures of dyadic adjustment, social constraints, and communication danger signs were administered via a web survey at baseline and after treatment. User satisfaction and app helpfulness were assessed after treatment. Data were analyzed using linear mixed methods. Results: Overall, 50.5% (101/200) of randomized participants used their allocated app. Participants found PTSD Family Coach 1.0 somewhat satisfying (mean 4.88, SD 1.11) and moderately helpful (mean 2.99, SD 0.97) to use. Linear mixed effects models revealed no significant differences in outcomes by condition for caregiver burden (P=.45; Cohen d=0.1, 95% CI −0.2 to 0.4), stress (P=.64; Cohen d=0.1, 95% CI −0.4 to 0.6), depression (P=.93; Cohen d= 0.0, 95% CI −0.3 to 0.3), anxiety (P=.55; Cohen d=−0.1, 95% CI −0.4 to 0.2), beliefs about treatment (P=.71; Cohen d=0.1, 95% CI −0.2 to 0.3), partner self-efficacy (P=.59; Cohen d=−0.1, 95% CI −0.4 to 0.2), dyadic adjustment (P=.08; Cohen d=−0.2, 95% CI −0.5 to 0.0), social constraints (P=.05; Cohen d=0.3, 95% CI 0.0-0.6), or communication danger signs (P=.90; Cohen d=−0.0, 95% CI −0.3 to 0.3). Post hoc analyses collapsing across conditions revealed a significant between-group effect on stress for app users versus nonusers (β=−3.62; t281=−2.27; P=.02). Conclusions: Approximately half of the randomized participants never used their allocated app, and participants in the PTSD Family Coach 1.0 condition only opened the app approximately 4 times over 4 weeks, suggesting limitations to this app version’s feasibility. PTSD Family Coach 1.0 users reported moderately favorable impressions of the app, suggesting preliminary acceptability. Regarding efficacy, no significant difference was found between PTSD Family Coach 1.0 users and psychoeducation app users across any outcome of interest. Post hoc analyses suggested that app use regardless of treatment condition was associated with reduced stress. Further research that improves app feasibility and establishes efficacy in targeting the domains most relevant to CSOs is warranted.
3 Post-high school military enlistment and long-term well-being
Post-high school military enlistment and long-term well-being
APA Citation:
Lucier-Greer, M., O’Neal, C. W., Peterson, C., Reed-Fitzke, K., & Wickrama, K. A. S. (2023). Post-high school military enlistment and long-term well-being. Emerging Adulthood, 11(1), . https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968221131854
Focus:
Mental health
Physical health
Youth
Branch of Service:
Army
Air Force
Navy
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
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Research & Summary
Lucier-Greer, Mallory; O’Neal, Catherine W.; Peterson, Clairee; Reed-Fitzke, Kayla; Wickrama, K. A. S.
2023
Longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health were used to evaluate the impact of post-high school military enlistment during emerging adulthood. Comparisons were made between matched samples of emerging adults who enlisted in the military (n = 576) and their civilian counterparts (n = 576) on well-being over a decade later. Well-being was broadly conceptualized to reflect socioeconomic well-being, physical health, mental health, and risky lifestyle behaviors. Matching maximizes confidence that findings reflect differences due to enlistment, rather than pre-existing characteristics that contribute to both enlistment rates and well-being. No consistent differences emerged between the matched samples. Service members reported some indicators of better mental health (perceived stress, anxiety), yet higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, and civilians reported some indicators of better physical health. Strengths-based perspectives and models that account for the concurrent possibility that military service may positively and negatively impact well-being are needed in future research.
4 “Always on parade”: Pregnancy experience of active-duty air force members
“Always on parade”: Pregnancy experience of active-duty air force members
APA Citation:
Day, M. A., Gil-Rivas, V., & Quinlan, M. M. (2023). “Always on parade”: Pregnancy experience of active-duty air force members. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 93(1), 41-49. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000654
Focus:
Physical health
Parents
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Day, M. A.; Gil-Rivas, Virginia; Quinlan, Margaret M.
2023
Findings are reported from a qualitative study that sought to understand the maternity experience of active-duty women in the context of improved and expanded pregnancy accommodations. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 active-duty women serving in the United States Air Force (15 enlisted and 15 commissioned members). Women described experiencing negative pregnancy-related stereotypes and stigma in the workplace. Connotations unique to military culture were unavoidable changes to uniform and physical body shape, cultural expectations of fitness, and uniformity of dress/appearance. Use of necessary pregnancy accommodations led to increased exposure to stereotypes and stigma, such as being perceived as less disciplined, lazy, weak, or receiving unfair advantages/fewer duties at work. Women relied on “covering behaviors” to separate themselves from negative stereotypes. Extreme covering behaviors put pregnant women’s health and well-being at risk. Finally, women navigated a shift in priorities from an indoctrinated “service before self” perspective to a prioritization of personal health and well-being during pregnancy. Leadership skills were strengthened through this change in perspective, which were perceived as positively influencing unit morale, cohesion, productivity, and retention. Study findings suggest the military will experience limited success in fully integrating and retaining active-duty women due to an organizational climate that lags behind the recent, progressive improvements in pregnancy policies and accommodations. Organizational culture related to pregnancy within the military must be targeted for change to reduce negative stigma and pregnancy-related bias.
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.
6 Emotion regulation difficulties in military fathers magnify their benefit from a parenting program
Emotion regulation difficulties in military fathers magnify their benefit from a parenting program
APA Citation:
Zhang, J., Zhang, N., Piehler, T. F., & Gewirtz, A. H. (2023). Emotion regulation difficulties in military fathers magnify their benefit from a parenting program. Prevention Science, 24, 237-248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-021-01287-8
Focus:
Children
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Parents
Programming
Trauma
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Navy
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Guard
Reserve
Active Duty
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
Zhang, Jingchen; Zhang, Na; Piehler, Timothy F.; Gewirtz, Abigail H.
2023
Military service members who were exposed to combat-related traumatic events may exhibit emotion regulation problems, which can compromise emotion-related parenting practices (ERPPs). After Deployment, Adaptive Parenting Tools (ADAPT) is a preventive intervention developed for military families to improve parenting behaviors, including ERPPs. Parental emotion regulation difficulties may affect parents' responses to this parenting program. Thus, this study aimed to use a baseline target moderated mediation design to examine the intent-to-treat (ITT) effect of the ADAPT program on deployed fathers' emotion-related parenting practices (ERPPs) at the 1-year follow-up as well as the moderation and mediation effect of fathers' emotion regulation difficulties. The sample consisted of 181 deployed fathers and their 4-13-year-old children. At both baseline and 1 year, fathers' ERPPs (i.e., positive engagement, withdrawal avoidance, reactivity-coercion, and distress avoidance) were observed during a series of structured parent-child interaction tasks. Results of path analyses showed no ITT effects on fathers' ERPPs, but emotion regulation difficulties significantly moderated ITT effects on distress avoidance. Fathers with higher levels of emotion regulation difficulties at baseline showed decreases in distress avoidance behaviors at 1 year if randomized to the intervention condition. Emotion regulation difficulties also significantly mediated the program's effect on reductions in reactivity coercion for fathers with high levels of emotion regulation difficulties at baseline. These findings highlight parental emotion regulation as a key baseline target of the ADAPT program and provide insight into how and for whom a parenting program improves parenting practices. (© 2021. Society for Prevention Research.)
A bidirectional examination of mental health symptoms and perceptions of leader support: Which comes first?
APA Citation:
Bessey, A. F., Black, K. J., & Britt, T. W. (2023). A bidirectional examination of mental health symptoms and perceptions of leader support: Which comes first? Military Psychology, 35(2), 119-131. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2085957
Focus:
Mental health
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
Bessey, Alexxa F.; Black, Kristen Jennings; Britt, Thomas W.
2023
Leader support for psychological health (LSPH) has been identified as an important factor in the prediction of mental health symptoms among warfighters. Although research has examined the relationship between LSPH and mental health symptoms, the extent to which this relationship is bidirectional has been underexplored. Consequently, the present study examined the longitudinal relationships between perceived LSPH and mental health symptoms (depression and PTSD) among military personnel over a 5-month period. We found that perceived LSPH at Time 1 (T1) was associated with fewer mental health symptoms at Time 2 (T2); however, mental health symptoms at T1 were also associated with lower perceptions of LSPH at T2. The results differed slightly based on the type of symptoms experienced, but the relationships between perceived LSPH and symptoms did not vary based on whether soldiers had been exposed to combat. However, it is important to note that the overall sample had low combat experience. Despite this, these findings may suggest that the assumption that leader support can enhance soldier mental health may fail to consider that the symptoms themselves may also affect how leaders are perceived. Therefore, organizations such as the military should consider both directions to optimally understand the relationship between leaders and subordinate mental health.
The relationship between anxiety, coping, and disordered-eating attitudes in adolescent military-dependents at high-risk for excess weight gain
APA Citation:
Solomon, S., Shank, L. M., Lavender, J. M., Higgins Neyland, M. K., Gallager-Teske, J., Markos, B., Haynes, H., Repke, H., Rice, A. J., Sbrocco, T., Wilfley, D. E., Schvey, N. A., Jorgensen, S., Ford, B., Ford, C. B., Haigney, M., Klein, D. A., Quinlan, J., & Tanofsky-Kraff, M. (2023). The relationship between anxiety, coping, and disordered-eating attitudes in adolescent military-dependents at high-risk for excess weight gain. Military Psychology, 35(2), 95-106. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2083448
Focus:
Mental health
Physical health
Children
Youth
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Navy
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Solomon, Senait; Shank, Lisa M.; Lavender, Jason M.; Higgins Neyland, M. K.; Gallager-Teske, Julia; Markos, Bethelhem; Haynes, Hannah; Repke, Hannah; Rice, Alexander J.; Sbrocco, Tracy; Wilfley, Denise E.; Schvey, Natasha A.; Jorgensen, Sarah; Ford, Brian; Ford, Caitlin B.; Haigney, Mark; Klein, David A.; Quinlan, Jeffrey; Tanofsky‐Kraff, Marian
2023
Adolescent military-dependents are an understudied population who face unique stressors due to their parents’ careers. Research suggests tat adolescent military-dependents report more anxiety and disordered-eating than their civilian counterparts. While anxiety symptoms predict the onset and worsening of disordered-eating attitudes, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. One factor that may underlie this relationship, and be particularly relevant for military-dependent youth, is coping. Therefore, we examined adolescent military-dependents (N = 136; 14.5 ± 1.5 years; 59.6% female; BMI-z: 1.9 ± 0.4) who were at-risk for adult obesity and binge-eating disorder due to an age- and sex-adjusted BMI ≥ 85th percentile and loss-of-control eating and/or elevated anxiety. Participants completed an interview assessing disordered-eating attitudes and questionnaires on anxiety symptoms and coping strategies at a single time point. Bootstrapping models were conducted to examine the indirect paths between anxiety symptoms and disordered-eating attitudes through five coping subscales (aggression, distraction, endurance, self-distraction, and stress-recognition). Adjusting for relevant covariates, no significant indirect paths through the coping subscales (ps > .05) were found in any models. General coping, nonspecific to eating, may not be a pathway between anxiety symptoms and disordered-eating attitudes among adolescents. Future research should examine other potential mediators of this relationship.
Recent stressful experiences and suicide risk: Implications for suicide prevention and intervention in U.S. Army soldiers
APA Citation:
Dempsey, C. L., Benedek, D. M., Zuromski, K. L., Nock, M. K., Brent, D. A., Ao, J., Georg, M. W., Haller, K., Aliaga, P. A., Heeringa, S. G., Kessler, R. C., Stein, M. B., & Ursano, R. J. (2023). Recent stressful experiences and suicide risk: Implications for suicide prevention and intervention in U.S. Army soldiers. Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice, 5(1), 24-36. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.prcp.20220027
Focus:
Mental health
Trauma
Other
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
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
Dempsey, Catherine L.; Benedek, David M.; Zuromski, Kelly L.; Nock, Matthew K.; Brent, David A.; Ao, Jingning; Georg, Matthew W.; Haller, Katy; Aliaga, Pablo A.; Heeringa, Steven G.; Kessler, Ronald C.; Stein, Murray B.; Ursano, Robert J.
2023
Objectives To identify the extent to which the presence of recent stressful events are risk factors for suicide among active‐duty soldiers as reported by informants. Methods Next‐of‐kin (NOK) and supervisors (SUP) of active duty soldiers (n = 135) who died by suicide and two groups of living controls: propensity‐matched (n = 128) and soldiers who reported suicidal ideation in the past year, but did not die (SI) (n = 108) provided data via structured interviews from the Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to create a risk score for suicide. Results The odds of suicide increased significantly for soldiers experiencing relationship problems, military punishment, and perceived failure or humiliation in the month prior to death. Suicide risk models with these risk factors predicted suicide death among those who reported SI in the past year (OR = 5.9, [95% CI = 1.5, 24.0] χ2 = 6.24, p = 0.0125, AUC, 0.73 (0.7, 0.8) NOK) and (OR = 8.6, [95% CI = 1.4, 51.5] χ2 = 5.49, p = 0.0191, AUC, 0.78 (0.7, 0.8); SUP) suggesting the combination of these recent stressors may contribute to the transition from ideation to action. Conclusions Our findings suggest for the first time recent stressors distinguished suicide ideating controls from suicide decedents in the month prior to death as reported by informants. Implications for preventive intervention efforts for clinicians, supervisors and family members in identifying the transition from ideation to action are discussed.
Demographic characteristics, mental health conditions, and psychotherapy use of veterans in couples and family therapy
APA Citation:
McKee, G. B., McDonald, S. D., Karmarkar, A., & Ghatas, M. P. (2023). Demographic characteristics, mental health conditions, and psychotherapy use of veterans in couples and family therapy. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 12(1), 11-23. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000185
Focus:
Mental health
Couples
Trauma
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
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Research & Summary
McKee, Grace B.; McDonald, Scott D.; Karmarkar, Amol; Ghatas, Mina P.
2023
The purpose of this descriptive study was to characterize demographic information, military service-connected mental health conditions, and information about the provision of couple and family therapy within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System. This study used a population-based cohort design to obtain electronic health record data from 97,302 veterans who attended couple or family therapy in 1,075 VA facilities from 2014 to 2019. More than 59% had a mental health disorder connected with military service, the most common of which was posttraumatic stress disorder (39.92%). Over one-third had evidence of military combat exposure, and 9% reported military sexual trauma. Approximately 90% attended 10 or fewer sessions, and among the 78,028 veterans who initiated therapy after progress note tracking of evidence-based psychotherapy was mandated in 2015, 12% had evidence of receiving an evidence-based psychotherapy for family difficulties, suggesting that many veterans may not receive a full course of conjoint therapy. Exploratory analyses revealed that attending five or more sessions of couple or family therapy was associated with identifying as female, younger age, identifying as non-Hispanic White, combat exposure, military sexual trauma, service connection for any mental health condition, and service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and chronic adjustment disorder. Further empirical work on understanding veterans’ psychiatric and family concerns is necessary to ensure that the VA Healthcare System is able to meet the needs of veterans with complex symptom profiles and to determine whether current therapeutic approaches may be effectively tailored to meet those needs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
11 Psychologist veteran status as a predictor of veterans’ willingness to engage in psychotherapy
Psychologist veteran status as a predictor of veterans’ willingness to engage in psychotherapy
APA Citation:
Yeterian, J. D., & Dutra, S. J. (2023). Psychologist veteran status as a predictor of veterans' willingness to engage in psychotherapy. Military Psychology, 35(1), 50-57. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2066937
Focus:
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
Yeterian, Julie D.; Dutra, Sunny J.
2023
Many veterans experience difficulties with mental health and functioning, yet many do not seek treatment and dropout rates are high. A small body of literature suggests that veterans prefer to work with providers or peer support specialists who are also veterans. Research with trauma-exposed veterans suggests that some veterans prefer to work with female providers. In an experimental study with 414 veterans, we examined whether veterans’ ratings of a psychologist (e.g., helpfulness, ability to understand the participant, likelihood of making an appointment) described in a vignette were impacted by the psychologist’s veteran status and gender. Results indicated that veterans who read about a veteran psychologist rated the psychologist as more able to help and understand them, reported being more willing to see and more comfortable seeing the psychologist, and reported greater belief that they should see the psychologist, relative to those who read about a non-veteran psychologist. Contrary to hypotheses, there was no main effect of psychologist gender nor any interaction between psychologist gender and psychologist veteran status on ratings. Findings suggest that having access to mental health providers who are also veterans may reduce barriers to treatment-seeking among veteran patients.
The ADAPT parenting intervention benefits combat exposed fathers genetically susceptible to problem drinking
APA Citation:
DeGarmo, D. S., Gewirtz, A. H., Li, L., Tavalire, H. F., & Cicchetti, D. (2023). The ADAPT parenting intervention benefits combat exposed fathers genetically susceptible to problem drinking. Prevention Science, 24, 150-160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-022-01424-x
Focus:
Substance use
Parents
Programming
Deployment
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
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
DeGarmo, David S.; Gewirtz, Abigail H.; Li, Lijun; Tavalire, Hannah F.; Cicchetti, Dante
2023
Testing a vantage sensitivity model from differential susceptibility theory (DST), we examined a G × E × I hypothesis; that is, whether a military parenting intervention program (I) might buffer a G × E susceptibility for military deployed fathers exposed to deployment combat stress and trauma. We hypothesized that combat stress (E, referring to the natural environmental factor) would lead to increases in problem drinking, and that the effect of problem drinking would be amplified by genetic predisposition (G) for drinking reward systems, substance use, and addictive behaviors (i.e., differential vulnerability). Providing a preventive intervention designed to improve post-deployment family environments (I, vantage sensitivity) is hypothesized to buffer the negative impacts of combat exposure and genetic susceptibility. The sample included 185 post-deployed military fathers who consented to genotyping, from a larger sample of 294 fathers enrolled in a randomized effectiveness trial of the After Deployment Adaptive Parenting Tools (ADAPT) intervention. Trauma-exposed military fathers at genetic susceptibility for problem drinking assigned to the ADAPT intervention reported significantly more reductions in risky drinking compared with fathers at genetic susceptibility assigned to the control group, with a small effect size for the G × E × I interaction (d = .2).
13 Military-related relocation stress and psychological distress in military partners
Military-related relocation stress and psychological distress in military partners
APA Citation:
Ribeiro, S., Renshaw, K. D., & Allen, E. S. (2023). Military-related relocation stress and psychological distress in military partners. Journal of Family Psychology, 37(1), 45-53. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0001030
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Deployment
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Ribeiro, Sissi; Renshaw, Keith D.; Allen, Elizabeth S.
2023
Spouses/partners play a crucial role in providing support to military service members (SMs), maintaining a sense of stability for the family, and supporting the overall mission of the armed forces. However, several aspects of the military lifestyle may impact their own psychological health. Much research has focused on the role of SMs’ deployments and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in partners’ distress, but no study has yet quantitatively investigated these factors in tandem with the common military life stressor of frequent relocations. The present study investigated the degree to which problems from service-related moves, couple deployment separation, and SMs’ PTSD symptoms uniquely predict partner psychological distress. Data were collected from female partners of Army soldiers who completed online surveys across four timepoints (over 1.5 years) following a deployment. Surveys assessed psychological distress, perceptions of SMs’ PTSD symptoms, problems from service-related moves, and deployment separation. Multilevel modeling was used, with longitudinal data treated as repeated measures (i.e., not modeling change over time). Results indicated that problems from service-related moves were associated with greater psychological stress, even when accounting for SMs’ PTSD symptoms and deployment separation. Deployment separation itself was not a significant predictor of psychological distress. Findings indicate that problems associated with frequent moves may be a significant contributor to increased psychological distress for partners above and beyond challenges associated with SMs’ PTSD symptoms. Recommendations for future research and limitations are also provided.
Sexual violence in military service members/veterans individual and interpersonal outcomes associated with single and multiple exposures to civilian and military sexual violence
APA Citation:
Blais, R. K., Livingston, W. S., Barrett, T. S., & Tannahill, H. S. (2023). Sexual violence in military service members/veterans individual and interpersonal outcomes associated with single and multiple exposures to civilian and military sexual violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(3-4), 2585-2613. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605221101197
Focus:
Trauma
Mental health
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
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
Blais, Rebecca K.; Livingston, Whitney S.; Barrett, Tyson S.; Tannahill, Hallie S.
2023
Sexual harassment and violence is a grave public health concern and risk for revictimization increases following initial exposure. Studies of sexual revictimization in military samples are generally limited to women and are focused on rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with no examination of how revictimization relates to interpersonal outcomes, such as relationship or sexual satisfaction. The current study addressed these gaps in a sample of 833 women and 556 men service members/veterans. Self-reported outcomes of PTSD, depression, suicidal ideation, sexual function, and relationship satisfaction were compared across those reporting exposure to sexual harassment and violence before the military only (i.e., pre-military), during the military only (i.e., military sexual harassment and violence [MSV]), before and during the military (i.e., revictimization), and to no exposure. More than half of women (51.14%, n = 426) reported revictimization and only 5.79% (n = 28) of men reported revictimization. Among women, those reporting MSV or revictimization tended to report higher PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideation relative to pre-military sexual violence and no sexual violence exposure. No interpersonal outcomes were significantly different among these sexual violence groups. Among men, revictimization was associated with higher PTSD, depression, and sexual compulsivity. PTSD and depression were also higher among those reporting MSV only. No effects were found for premilitary sexual trauma exposure only or relationship satisfaction for either group. Findings highlight the particularly bothersome nature of MSV, whether it occurred alone or in tandem with premilitary sexual violence. Findings also show unique gender differences across outcomes, suggesting interventions following sexual harassment and violence may differ for men and women.
Gender differences in social support for diabetes self-management: a qualitative study among veterans
APA Citation:
Gray, K. E., Silvestrini, M., Ma, E. W., Nelson, K. M., Bastian, L. A., & Voils, C. I. (2023). Gender differences in social support for diabetes self-management: A qualitative study among veterans. Patient Education and Counseling, 107, Article 107578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2022.107578
Focus:
Veterans
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)
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Research & Summary
Gray, Kristen E.; Silvestrini, Molly; Ma, Erica W.; Nelson, Karin M.; Bastian, Lori A.; Voils, Corrine I.
2023
Objective Describe the role of social support in veterans’ diabetes self-management and examine gender differences. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews among veterans with diabetes from one Veterans Health Administration Health Care System. Participants described how support persons influenced their diabetes self-management and perspectives on a proposed self-management program incorporating a support person. We used thematic analysis to identify salient themes and examine gender differences. Results Among 18 women and 18 men, we identified four themes: 1) women felt responsible for their health and the care of others; 2) men shared responsibility for managing their diabetes, with support persons often attempting to correct behaviors (social control); 3) whereas both men and women described receiving instrumental and informational social support, primarily women described emotional support; and 4) some women’s self-management efforts were hindered by support persons. Regarding programs incorporating a support person, some participants endorsed including family/friends and some preferred programs including other individuals with diabetes. Conclusions Notable gender differences in social support for self-management were observed, with women assuming responsibility for their diabetes and their family’s needs and experiencing interpersonal barriers. Practice Implications Gender differences in the role of support persons in diabetes self-management should inform support-based self-management programs.
Transferable resilience practices: Communication and resilience of U.S. military spouses during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic
APA Citation:
Fanari, A., Cooper, R. A., Dajches, L., Beck, G., & Pitts, M. J. (2023). Transferable resilience practices: Communication and resilience of U.S. military spouses during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Family Communication, 23(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2022.2149528
Focus:
Couples
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Navy
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
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
Fanari, Alice; Cooper, R. Amanda; Dajches, Leah; Beck, Gary; Pitts, Margaret J.
2023
This study uses the communication theory of resilience as a sensitizing framework to explore how U.S. military spouses transferred resilience practices acquired during military deployment to early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from 27 in-depth interviews with U.S. military spouses showed that the military experience shaped participants’ appraisal of the pandemic and helped them to discursively enact resilience through previously developed practices. Six major themes emerged: (a) crafting normalcy through the military lifestyle and experience; (b) affirming identity through military anchors; (c) invoking military mantras as alternative logics; (d) foregrounding productive action through flexibility and planning; (e) maintaining communication networks through (i) technology, (ii) family and community support, and (iii) intentional communication with partner; and (f) downplaying negative feelings by generating positive emotions. Findings contribute to the communication theory of resilience by showing how individuals with a history of resilience can transfer already-built resilience practices from one context (deployment) to another (COVID-19).
Qualitative examination of homecoming experiences among active-duty military fathers during reintegration
APA Citation:
Blankenship, A. E., Drew, A. L., Jacoby, V. M., Zolinski, S. K., Ojeda, A. R., Dondanville, K. A., Sharrieff, A.-F. M., … DeVoe, E. R. (2023). Qualitative examination of homecoming experiences among active-duty military fathers during reintegration. Qualitative Social Work. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/14733250221150378
Focus:
Deployment
Children
Couples
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Blankenship, Abby E.; Drew, Alison L.; Jacoby, Vanessa M.; Zolinski, Sophie K.; Ojeda, Alyssa R.; Dondanville, Katherine A.; Sharrieff, Allah-Fard M.; Yarvis, Jeffrey; Acker, Michelle; Blount, Tabatha H.; McGeary, Cindy A.; Young-McCaughan, Stacey; Peterson, Alan L.; Kritikos, Tessa K.; DeVoe, Ellen R.
2023
Active-duty military fathers are frequently away from their families throughout their military career and are faced with readjusting to family and garrison life after each separation. For fathers of very young children, reintegration can have unique challenges due to the tremendous developmental progression occurring in early childhood and the impact of lengthy deployment separations. While much of the research on military families focuses on extreme negative experiences (e.g., reactions to war injuries and posttraumatic stress disorder), little is known about the common experiences of military families. This qualitative study explores the reintegration experiences of 15 active-duty U.S. Army fathers with a child under six in their home during the deployment. Homecoming experiences were coded and analyzed to distinguish four adjustment factors and five adaptation challenges. Most fathers described having mixed experiences during reintegration, with 93% referencing at least one factor making adjustment easier (e.g., communication with their spouse during deployment), and 80% referencing at least one factor making adjustment difficult (e.g., child?s initial hesitation or perceived rejection). Adjustment facilitators included: spending quality time with family, individual and family growth, quality communication during deployment, and the service member?s parental perspective taking. Challenges to adjustment included negative postdeployment reactions of children, difficulty readjusting to family and civilian life, and service member psychological changes. These findings expand our understanding of the reintegration experience of active-duty fathers with young children and identify common challenges and facilitators that can be addressed through culturally informed supportive services across the deployment cycle.
Pre- and perinatal risk factors for child maltreatment in military families across the first two years of life
APA Citation:
Sullivan, K. S., Richardson, S., Ross, A., Cederbaum, J. A., Pflieger, J., Abramovitz, L., Bukowinski, A., & Stander, V. (2023). Pre- and perinatal risk factors for child maltreatment in military families across the first two years of life. Child Maltreatment, 28(2), 209-220. https://doi.org/10.1177/10775595221088198
Focus:
Parents
Children
Child maltreatment
Mental health
Physical health
Substance use
Trauma
Branch of Service:
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Air Force
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Reserve
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Sullivan, Kathrine S.; Richardson, Sabrina; Ross, Abigail; Cederbaum, Julie A.; Pflieger, Jacqueline; Abramovitz, Lisa; Bukowinski, Anna; Stander, Valerie
2023
Military families are exposed to a unique constellation of risk factors, which may impact maltreatment outcomes. The present study examined prospective relationships between demographic, health, birth-related, and military-specific risk factors identified prior to a child’s birth on their risk for maltreatment in the first two years of life. Data from the Millennium Cohort Study, Department of Defense (DoD) operational records and Family Advocacy Program data on met-criteria maltreatment, and Birth and Infant Health Research program data on suspected maltreatment were linked for 9076 service member parents. Discrete time survival analysis showed that preterm birth increased risk of maltreatment while parents’ older age, physical health, and service in the Navy or Air Force decreased risk. Building on DoD’s New Parent Support Program, findings suggest the need for universal and targeted prevention efforts, beginning during pregnancy, which limit or eliminate risk factors for maltreatment in military families.
19 Relationship maintenance among military couples
Relationship maintenance among military couples
APA Citation:
Knobloch, L. K., Monk, J. K., & MacDermid Wadsworth, S. M. (2023). Relationship maintenance among military couples. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 40(3), 734-772. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075221105025
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Air Force
Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Reserve
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
Knobloch, Leanne K.; Monk, J. Kale; MacDermid Wadsworth, Shelley M.
2023
A burgeoning body of research on the relationship maintenance of military couples over the past two decades suggests the time is right to organize, assimilate, and critique the literature. We conducted a systematic review informed by the integrative model of relationship maintenance that considered issues of intersectionality. Our literature search identified 81 relevant journal articles representing 62 unique samples. With respect to theory, 59.3% of the journal articles employed one or more formal theoretical frameworks. In terms of research design, 88.7% of the studies focused on the U.S. military, 83.9% of the studies recruited convenience samples, 54.8% of the studies utilized quantitative methods, and 30.6% of the studies collected longitudinal data. Among the studies reporting sample demographics, 96.8% of participants were married, 77.2% of participants identified as non-Hispanic White, and only one same-sex relationship was represented. Our narrative synthesis integrated findings about relationship maintenance from studies examining (a) relationship maintenance overtly, (b) communicating to stay connected across the deployment cycle, (c) disclosure and protective buffering, (d) support from a partner, (e) dyadic coping, and (f) caregiving and accommodating a partner’s symptoms. We interpret our results with an eye toward advancing theory, research, and practice.
The role of PTSD symptom severity and relationship functioning in male and female veterans’ mental health service use
APA Citation:
Harper, K. L., Vogt, D., Fox, A., Nillni, Y. I., & Galovski, T. (2023). The role of PTSD symptom severity and relationship functioning in male and female veterans’ mental health service use. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 15(4), 690-696. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001369
Focus:
Couples
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
Harper, Kelly L.; Vogt, Dawne; Fox, Annie; Nillni, Yael I.; Galovski, Tara
2023
Objective: Previous research has shown that difficulties in intimate relationships promote mental health treatment seeking for male veterans, but findings for female veterans have been mixed. The current study sought to further evaluate whether intimate relationship functioning is a motivator for mental health treatment seeking for male and female veterans and examine the impact of different types of trauma exposure on this association. Method: Using data from a longitudinal study, we examined whether intimate relationship functioning mediated the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and mental health service use (0 = no mental health services, 1 = any mental health services) in male and female veterans (N = 1,200). We used multiple groups path analysis to examine whether intimate relationship functioning mediated the association between PTSD symptom severity and mental health service use for male and female veterans. Results: For male veterans, greater PTSD symptom severity was related to poorer intimate relationship functioning, which in turn explained increased likelihood of mental health service use (R² = .18). This mediation effect was not significant for female veterans. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that targeting intimate relationship functioning in treatment for male veterans may be beneficial because difficulties in these relationships appear to be a motivating factor for treatment seeking.
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