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Morris PA, Lindsay KG, Agana P, Watson K, Willson D. National study of sleep health for student servicemembers/veterans. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-9. [PMID: 37966943 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2280778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Investigate sleep health for student servicemember/veterans (SSM/Vs). Method: Data from the National College Health Assessment was used, including 88,178 participants in 2018 and 67,972 in 2019. Propensity score matching was used to compare SSM/Vs (n = 2984) to their most similar non-SSM/V counterparts (n = 1,355). Responses were analyzed using a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results: SSM/Vs reported significantly higher levels of some sleep health issues than the matched peer group, including more instances of trouble falling asleep, waking too early, and higher rates of insomnia and sleep disorders. However, SSM/Vs reported fewer days per week feeling sleepy and similar impacts of sleep issues on academics when compared to the peer group. Conclusion: Institutions of higher education should consider training faculty and staff to recognize impacts of poor sleep health for SSM/Vs to establish effective practices to support this unique population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip A Morris
- Leadership, Research, and Foundations, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - Keston G Lindsay
- Human Physiology and Nutrition, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - Patience Agana
- Leadership, Research, and Foundations, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - Kathryn Watson
- Leadership, Research, and Foundations, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - Dale Willson
- Leadership, Research, and Foundations, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
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Sayer NA, Nelson DB, Gradus JL, Sripada RK, Murdoch M, Teo AR, Orazem RJ, Cerel J. The Effects of Suicide Exposure on Mental Health Outcomes Among Post-9/11 Veterans: Protocol for an Explanatory, Sequential, Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e51324. [PMID: 37751271 PMCID: PMC10565621 DOI: 10.2196/51324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The toll associated with suicide goes well beyond the individual who died. This study focuses on a risk factor for veteran suicide that has received little previous empirical attention-exposure to the suicide death of another person. OBJECTIVE The study's primary objective is to describe the mental health outcomes associated with suicide exposure among veterans who served on active duty after September 2001 ("post-9/11"). The secondary objective is to elucidate why some veterans develop persistent problems following suicide exposure, whereas others do not. METHODS This is an explanatory, sequential, mixed methods study of a nationally representative sample of post-9/11 veterans enrolled in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care. Our sampling strategy was designed for adequate representation of female and American Indian and Alaska Native veterans to allow for examination of associations between suicide exposure and outcomes within these groups. Primary outcomes comprise mental health problems associated with trauma and loss (posttraumatic stress disorder and prolonged grief disorder) and suicide precursors (suicidal ideation, attempts, and planning). Data collection will be implemented in 3 waves. During wave 1, we will field a brief survey to a national probability sample to assess exposure history (suicide, other sudden death, or neither) and exposure characteristics (eg, closeness with the decedent) among 11,400 respondents. In wave 2, we will include 39.47% (4500/11,400) of the wave-1 respondents, stratified by exposure history (suicide, other sudden death, or neither), to assess health outcomes and other variables of interest. During wave 3, we will conduct interviews with a purposive subsample of 32 respondents exposed to suicide who differ in mental health outcomes. We will supplement the survey and interview data with VA administrative data identifying diagnoses, reported suicide attempts, and health care use. RESULTS The study began on July 1, 2022, and will end on June 30, 2026. This is the only national, population-based study of suicide exposure in veterans and the first one designed to study differences based on sex and race. Comparing those exposed to suicide with those exposed to sudden death for reasons other than suicide (eg, combat) and those unexposed to any sudden death may allow for the identification of the common and unique contribution of suicide exposure to outcomes and help seeking. CONCLUSIONS Integrating survey, qualitative, and VA administrative data to address significant knowledge gaps regarding the effects of suicide exposure in a national sample will lay the foundation for interventions to address the needs of individuals affected by a suicide death, including female and American Indian and Alaska Native veterans. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/51324.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina A Sayer
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - David B Nelson
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jaimie L Gradus
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rebecca K Sripada
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Maureen Murdoch
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Alan R Teo
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Robert J Orazem
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Julie Cerel
- College of Social Work, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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Barry AE, Jackson ZA, Fullerton AB. An assessment of sense of belonging in higher education among student service members/veterans. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2021; 69:335-339. [PMID: 31662052 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1676249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The health, well-being, and integration of student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) into higher education has become a growing focal point for college health practitioners and researchers. Methods: Secondary data analysis of "Campus Climate and Culture" module of the Healthy Minds Study (HMS), which included 8211 students. Analyses examined whether military status was associated with sense of belonging. Results: The relationship between military-affiliation and sense of belonging (low versus high) was statistically significant [χ2 (2, 8211) = 10.855, p < 0.01], such that 42% of SSM/V reported low sense of belonging compared to their Reservist (33%) and civilian (28%) counterparts. Even after controlling for age, sex, year in school, and grade point average, SSM/V status (OR = 0.16, Wald = 6.17; p < 0.05), was negatively associated with sense of belonging. Conclusions: Results highlight a need for strategic college health initiatives to foster institutional inclusion and cohort building among SSM/V in higher education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam E Barry
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Education & Human Development, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Zachary A Jackson
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Education & Human Development, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Adam B Fullerton
- Department of Education Administration, College of Education and Human Services, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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Peterson A, Bozzay M, Bender A, Monahan M, Chen J. Those left behind: A scoping review of the effects of suicide exposure on veterans, service members, and military families. DEATH STUDIES 2020; 46:1176-1185. [PMID: 32762420 PMCID: PMC8162890 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2020.1802628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Veteran and service member suicide remains a significant public health concern. One factor that may impact suicide risk is suicide exposure-knowing someone who has died by suicide or attempted suicide. However, the majority of the extant literature has focused on nonmilitary samples, which may not generalize to military veterans and service members. The current review synthesizes findings regarding suicide exposure in military veterans, service members, their families, and military systems. Our review suggests that the relationship between suicide exposure, suicide risk, and mental health outcomes remains inconsistent. Future research should further explore this important area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Peterson
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Science, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Melanie Bozzay
- Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- VA RR&D Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ansley Bender
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Science, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Maureen Monahan
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Science, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Jason Chen
- HSR&D Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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