Fischer, E. P., Sherman, M. D., McSweeney, J. C., Pyne, J. M., Owen, R. R., & Dixon, L. B. (2015). Perspectives of family and veterans on family programs to support reintegration of returning veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychological Services, 12(3), 187-198. doi:10.1037/ser0000033

Understanding the experiences of and preferences for mental health care services available to Veterans and family members upon post-deployment is critical for facilitating Veterans’ reintegration into civilian life. Both Veterans and family members strongly support programs that are focused on joint Veteran and family needs. Participants identified four areas of content for programming: information, practical skills, support, and perspective-taking.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ser0000033

Mental health
Programming
Veterans

Multiple branches
Army
Air Force
Navy
Marine Corps
Coast Guard

Veteran

Military families
Military medical service providers
Veteran

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)

Empirical Study
Interview
Focus Group
Qualitative Study
Quantitative Study

Fischer, Ellen P., Sherman, Michelle D., McSweeney, Jean C., Pyne, Jeffrey M., Owen, Richard R., Dixon, Lisa B.

Combat deployment and reintegration are challenging for service members and their families. Although family involvement in mental health care is increasing in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system, little is known about family members’ preferences for services. This study elicited the perspectives of returning Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and their families regarding family involvement in veterans’ mental health care. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with 47 veterans receiving care for posttraumatic stress disorder at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System or Oklahoma City VA Medical Center and 36 veteran-designated family members. Interviews addressed perceived needs related to veterans’ readjustment to civilian life, interest in family involvement in joint veteran/family programs, and desired family program content. Interview data were analyzed using content analysis and constant comparison. Both groups strongly supported inclusion of family members in programs to facilitate veterans’ postdeployment readjustment and reintegration into civilian life. Both desired program content focused on information, practical skills, support, and gaining perspective on the other’s experience. Although family and veteran perspectives were similar, family members placed greater emphasis on parenting-related issues and the kinds of support they and their children needed during and after deployment. To our knowledge, this is the first published report on preferences regarding VA postdeployment reintegration support that incorporates the perspectives of returning male and female veterans and those of their families. Findings will help VA and community providers working with returning veterans tailor services to the needs and preferences of this important-to-engage population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Educational Publishing Foundation

Article
REACH Publication

Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, EPF
South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Oklahoma City, MDS
College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, JCM
Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, JMP
Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, RRO
VA Capitol Health Care Network Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, LBD