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Kumar SA, Borowski S, Vogt D. Meaning in life following service among post-9/11 military veterans: A latent growth mixture model analysis. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2024; 16:723-744. [PMID: 38072466 PMCID: PMC11062845 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12513] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Meaning in life refers to the "sense made of, and significance felt regarding, the nature of one's being and existence." Meaningful living promotes well-being, resilience, and personal growth. Yet, much remains unknown about how meaning changes over time and determinants of meaning, particularly during major life transitions. We identified distinct trajectories of meaning using latent growth mixture models and examined prospective predictors of class membership in a military veteran cohort assessed at multiple time points throughout the first 3 years after leaving service. Three trajectories were identified: consistently high meaning (89.5%; n = 7025), diminishing meaning (6.1%; n = 479), and strengthening meaning (4.4%; n = 348). Veterans with greater posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression symptoms, and moral injury experienced increased odds of a less adaptive trajectory (i.e. diminishing and/or strengthening vs. consistently high meaning), whereas veterans who reported greater psychological resilience, community relationship satisfaction, and intimate relationship satisfaction experienced lower odds of a less adaptive trajectory. Several gender differences were also observed. Results provide insight into veteran subgroups that are more likely to experience lower meaning after leaving military service and thus may benefit from additional support to reduce their risk for poor longer-term health and well-being outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaina A Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shelby Borowski
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dawne Vogt
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Iverson KM, Livingston WS, Vogt D, Smith BN, Kehle-Forbes SM, Mitchell KS. Prevalence of Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Among US Military Veterans: Findings from Surveys with Two National Samples. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:418-427. [PMID: 38010460 PMCID: PMC10897119 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08486-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual violence (SV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences are major social determinants of adverse health. There is limited prevalence data on these experiences for veterans, particularly across sociodemographic groups. OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of SV before, during, and after military service and lifetime and past-year IPV for women and men, and explore differences across sociodemographic groups. DESIGN Data are from two national cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2020. Weighted prevalence estimates of SV and IPV experiences were computed, and weighted logistic regression models were used for comparisons across gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and age. PARTICIPANTS Study 1 included veterans of all service eras (N = 1187; 50.0% women; 29% response rate). Study 2 included recently separated post-9/11 veterans (N = 1494; 55.2% women; 19.4% response rate). MAIN MEASURES SV was assessed with the Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory-2 (DRRI-2). IPV was assessed with the extended Hurt-Insult-Threaten-Scream Tool. KEY RESULTS Women were more likely than men to experience pre-military SV (study 1: 39.9% vs. 8.7%, OR = 6.96, CIs: 4.71-10.28; study 2: 36.2% vs. 8.6%, OR = 6.04, CIs: 4.18-8.71), sexual harassment and/or assault during military service (study 1: 55.0% vs. 16.8%, OR = 6.30, CIs: 4.57-8.58; study 2: 52.9% vs. 26.9%, OR = 3.08, CIs: 2.38-3.98), and post-military SV (study 1: 12.4% vs. 0.9%, OR = 15.49, CIs: 6.42-36.97; study 2: 7.5% vs. 1.5%, OR = 5.20, CIs: 2.26-11.99). Women were more likely than men to experience lifetime IPV (study 1: 45.7% vs. 37.1%, OR = 1.38, CIs: 1.04-1.82; study 2: 45.4% and 34.8%, OR = 1.60, CIs: 1.25-2.04) but not past-year IPV (study 1: 27.9% vs. 28.3%, OR = 0.95, CIs: 0.70-1.28; study 2: 33.1% vs. 28.5%, OR = 1.24, CIs: 0.95-1.61). When controlling for gender, there were few differences across other sociodemographic groups, with the exception of sexual orientation. CONCLUSIONS Understanding veterans' experiences of SV and IPV can inform identification and intervention efforts, especially for women and sexual minorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Iverson
- Women's Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Whitney S Livingston
- Women's Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dawne Vogt
- Women's Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian N Smith
- Women's Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shannon M Kehle-Forbes
- Women's Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Karen S Mitchell
- Women's Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Zhao Z, Serier KN, Smith BN, Vogt D, Kehle-Forbes S, Mitchell KS. Gender similarities and differences in associations between weight discrimination, shape/weight concerns, and eating disorder symptoms among post-9/11 veterans. Eat Behav 2023; 51:101818. [PMID: 37741082 DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2023.101818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Weight discrimination, defined as mistreatment of people based on body weight, is associated with body image concerns and eating disorder (ED) symptoms. Military veterans are particularly vulnerable to developing ED symptoms, which may be due to experiences of weight discrimination resulting from the military's strict weight and fitness requirements. However, no previous study has examined these associations among veterans. We investigated relationships between weight discrimination during and after military service and shape/weight concerns and ED symptoms in post-9/11 veterans. Based on evidence for gender differences in weight discrimination, body image, and ED symptoms, we also examined whether gender moderated these associations. METHOD Participants were randomly selected from the population of post-9/11 U.S. veterans who had been discharged from the military within the previous 18 months. A total of 1494 veterans completed the Everyday Discrimination Scale, Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire, and the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale-5. RESULT Women were more likely to report weight discrimination and had higher levels of ED symptoms and shape/weight concerns than men. Weight discrimination in and after leaving the military were positively associated with shape/weight concerns and ED symptoms in the full sample and among men and women. Gender moderated the association between weight discrimination after leaving the military and shape/weight concerns such that the association was stronger among men. DISCUSSION Both male and female veterans may be vulnerable to developing ED symptoms, in part due to weight discrimination experienced during and after military service. Our findings emphasize the need to address weight discrimination and its consequences in veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Zhao
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, United States of America; Department of Psychological & Brain Science, Boston University, United States of America
| | - Kelsey N Serier
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Brian N Smith
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Dawne Vogt
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Shannon Kehle-Forbes
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, United States of America; Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, United States of America; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Karen S Mitchell
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, United States of America; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, United States of America.
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Fox AB, Baier AL, Alpert E, Nillni YI, Galovski TE. Psychosocial and Economic Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Veteran Men and Women. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2023; 32:1041-1051. [PMID: 37610854 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2023.0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The psychosocial impacts of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on women Veterans' mental health compared to men are understudied, with few studies examining the differential impact of COVID-19 stressors on depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Furthermore, little is known about whether social support may buffer against adverse pandemic-related outcomes for this population. In the present study, we examined (1) gender differences in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on numerous life domains, including economic, work, home, social, and health; (2) how pandemic impacts in these domains were associated with depression and PTSD symptoms; and (3) whether social support buffered against worse mental health outcomes. Materials and Methods: Data from 1530 Veterans enrolled in the Longitudinal Investigation of Gender, Health, and Trauma (LIGHT) study were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple groups' path analyses. Results: Women reported higher pandemic impact scores across life domains. For both men and women, higher health impacts were associated with increased PTSD symptoms; differential findings emerged for depressive symptoms. Home and economic impacts were associated with increased depression for both men and women, social and health impacts were associated with depression for women, and work impacts were associated with depression for men. Higher social support was associated with decreased depressive symptoms for both men and women; however, social support moderated the relationship between pandemic impacts and both PTSD and depressive symptoms for women only. Conclusions: Findings highlight the value of social support in mitigating effects of pandemic-related stress, particularly for women Veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie B Fox
- National Center for PTSD Women's Health Sciences Division at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Healthcare Leadership, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Allison L Baier
- National Center for PTSD Women's Health Sciences Division at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elizabeth Alpert
- National Center for PTSD Women's Health Sciences Division at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yael I Nillni
- National Center for PTSD Women's Health Sciences Division at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tara E Galovski
- National Center for PTSD Women's Health Sciences Division at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Nillni YI, Horenstein A, McClendon J, Duke CC, Sawdy M, Galovski TE. The impact of perceived everyday discrimination and income on racial and ethnic disparities in PTSD, depression, and anxiety among veterans. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291965. [PMID: 37751447 PMCID: PMC10521990 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Black and Hispanic/Latinx individuals experience a greater burden of mental health symptoms as compared to White individuals in the general population. Examination of ethnoracial disparities and mechanisms explaining these disparities among veterans is still in its nascence. The current study examined perceived everyday discrimination and income as parallel mediators of the association between race/ethnicity and PTSD, depression, and general anxiety symptoms in a sample of White, Black, and Hispanic/Latinx veterans stratified by gender. METHODS A random sample of 3,060 veterans living across the U.S. (oversampled for veterans living in high crime communities) completed a mail-based survey. Veterans completed self-report measures of perceived discrimination via the Everyday Discrimination Scale, PTSD symptoms via the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5, depressive symptoms via the Patient Health Questionnaire, and anxiety symptoms via the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire. RESULTS Models comparing Black vs. White veterans found that the significant effect of race on PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms was mediated by both perceived discrimination and income for both male and female veterans. Results were less consistent in models comparing Hispanic/Latinx vs. White veterans. Income, but not perceived discrimination, mediated the relationship between ethnicity/race and depression and anxiety symptoms, but only among women. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that discrimination and socioeconomic status are important mechanisms through which marginalized social status negatively impacts mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael I. Nillni
- National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | | | - Juliette McClendon
- National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | | | - Molly Sawdy
- Suffolk University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Tara E. Galovski
- National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
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Poehler D, Czerniecki J, Norvell D, Henderson A, Dolan J, Devine B. Comparing Patient and Provider Priorities Around Amputation Level Outcomes Using Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis. Ann Vasc Surg 2023; 95:169-177. [PMID: 37263414 PMCID: PMC10782550 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia may require a transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) or a transtibial amputation. When making an amputation-level decision, these patients face a tradeoff-a TMA preserves more limb and may provide better mobility but has a lower probability of primary wound healing and may therefore result in additional same or higher level amputation surgeries with an associated negative impact on function. Understanding differences in how patients and providers prioritize these tradeoffs and other outcomes may enhance shared decision-making. OBJECTIVES Compare patient priorities with provider perceptions of patient priorities using Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). METHODS The MCDA Analytic Hierarchy Process was chosen due to its low cognitive burden and ease of implementation. We included 5 criteria (outcomes): ability to walk, healing after amputation surgery, rehabilitation program intensity, limb length, and ease of use of prosthetic/orthotic device. A national sample of dysvascular lower-limb amputees and providers were recruited from the Veterans Health Administration with the MCDA administered online to providers and telephonically to patients. RESULTS Twenty-six dysvascular amputees and 38 providers participated. Fifty percent of patients had undergone a TMA; 50%, a transtibial amputation. When compared to providers, patients placed higher value on TMA (72% vs. 63%). Patient versus provider priorities were ability to walk (47% vs. 42%), healing (18% vs. 28%), ease of prosthesis use (17% vs. 13%), limb length (11% vs. 13%), and then rehabilitation intensity (7% vs. 6%). LIMITATIONS Our sample may not generalize to other populations. CONCLUSIONS Provider perceptions aligned with patient values on amputation level but varied around the importance of each outcome. IMPLICATIONS These findings illuminate some differences between patients' values and provider perceptions of patient values, suggesting a role for shared decision-making. Embedding this MCDA framework into a future decision aid may facilitate these discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Poehler
- Advanced Methods Development, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC; Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
| | - Joseph Czerniecki
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Daniel Norvell
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Limb Loss and Mobility (CLiMB), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA
| | - Alison Henderson
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Limb Loss and Mobility (CLiMB), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA
| | - James Dolan
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
| | - Beth Devine
- Department of Health Services, The Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Rossi FS, Nillni Y, Fox AB, Galovski TE. The association between lifetime trauma exposure typologies and mental health outcomes among veterans. Psychiatry Res 2023; 326:115321. [PMID: 37356252 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
We know little about veterans' lifetime trauma exposure patterns and how such patterns are associated with mental health outcomes. This study sought to identify lifetime trauma exposure typologies among veterans and examine associations between these typologies and mental health outcomes. It used baseline data from a national longitudinal mail-based survey of 3,544 veterans and oversampled for women (51.6%) and veterans living in high crime areas (67.6%). Most veterans (94.2%) reported trauma exposure, and 80.1% reported exposure to two or more traumas. Prevalence of mental health outcomes was: 27.7% anxiety, 31.3% depression, 37.9% posttraumatic stress disorder, 44.4% alcohol use disorder, 10.4% suicide attempt, and 33.5% mental health comorbidity. Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of lifetime trauma exposure and logistic regression was used to examine the odds of mental health outcomes as a function of class membership. Five lifetime trauma exposure typologies emerged: (1) low trauma; (2) high combat and community violence; (3) intimate partner violence trauma; (4) high global physical assault; and (5) high trauma. Classes showed differential associations with mental health outcomes. Findings have implications for clinical practice including informing providers' mental health treatment plans to correspond to each veteran's trauma exposure typology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda S Rossi
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Yael Nillni
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Annie B Fox
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, MA, USA; School of Healthcare Leadership, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tara E Galovski
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Galovski TE, Rossi FS, Fox AB, Vogt D, Duke CC, Nillni YI. Relationship of perceived neighborhood danger with depression and PTSD among veterans: The moderating role of social support and neighborhood cohesion. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 71:395-409. [PMID: 36661400 DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12655] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the impact of perceived neighborhood danger on military veterans' mental health, a population potentially at higher risk for this experience, or whether interpersonal social support and neighborhood cohesion can help buffer against poor mental health. This study examined: (1) the impact of perceived neighborhood danger on depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans; (2) whether interpersonal social support and neighborhood cohesion can mitigate these effects; and (3) how prior trauma history may interact with these factors. Six moderation models were examined using data from 3049 veterans enrolled in the Longitudinal Investigation of Gender, Health, and Trauma study, a mail-based survey that oversampled for veterans in high crime neighborhoods. Most notably, results indicated that perceived neighborhood danger was associated with increased depression and PTSD (all p < .001). Interpersonal social support or neighborhood cohesion mitigated the effect of perceived neighborhood danger on veterans' depression, but, only for those without prior trauma (all p < .011). For trauma-exposed veterans, interpersonal social support was more effective in mitigating the effect of perceived neighborhood danger on depression than neighborhood cohesion (p = .006). Findings help inform interventions to improve the mental health of veterans living in high crime neighborhoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara E Galovski
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Chobanian and Avedesian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fernanda S Rossi
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Annie B Fox
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Healthcare Leadership, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dawne Vogt
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Chobanian and Avedesian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Yael I Nillni
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Chobanian and Avedesian School of Medicine at Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Mitchell KS, Smith BN, Masheb R, Vogt D. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorders in U.S. military veterans. Int J Eat Disord 2023; 56:108-117. [PMID: 36239518 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on mental health around the world. Although there have been reports that the incidence of eating disorders (EDs) has increased during the pandemic, few longitudinal studies have examined recent changes in EDs. Men and women with military histories may be particularly vulnerable to EDs, underscoring the importance of investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on EDs in this population. METHOD We examined whether early-pandemic (Time 1; T1) posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were associated with change in probable ED diagnostic status 1 year later (T2). We also investigated relationships from early pandemic mental health symptoms to change in ED diagnostic status from T1 to T2 via pandemic-related life circumstance pathways (health, financial, social, etc.). Participants included a population-based sample of 372 U.S. veterans who completed the T1 and T2 surveys. RESULTS Early pandemic mental health was significantly and positively associated with probable ED diagnostic status. Social and health satisfaction as well as physical health pandemic impacts mediated the associations between mental health symptoms and ED diagnostic status. DISCUSSION Findings highlight the importance of bolstering social connection, health-promoting behaviors, and access to ED treatment among veteran men and women impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on mental health, including eating disorders (EDs). We found that early pandemic mental health symptoms were significantly associated with changes in U.S. veterans' ED diagnostic status 1 year later. Mental health symptoms increased ED diagnoses via their impact on social and health satisfaction, as well as physical health impacts of the pandemic. Findings highlight the importance of increasing social connection, health-promoting behaviors, and ED treatment access among veteran men and women, who may be particularly vulnerable to EDs, during the COVID pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen S Mitchell
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Brian N Smith
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Robin Masheb
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, West Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Dawne Vogt
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Vogt D, Borowski S, Maguen S, Blosnich JR, Hoffmire CA, Bernhard PA, Iverson KM, Schneiderman A. Strengths and vulnerabilities: Comparing post-9/11 U.S. veterans' and non-veterans' perceptions of health and broader well-being. SSM Popul Health 2022; 19:101201. [PMID: 36046065 PMCID: PMC9421326 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prior research has examined how the post-military health and well-being of both the larger veteran population and earlier veteran cohorts differs from non-veterans. However, no study has yet to provide a holistic examination of how the health, vocational, financial, and social well-being of the newest generation of post-9/11 U.S. military veterans compares with their non-veteran peers. This is a significant oversight, as accurate knowledge of the strengths and vulnerabilities of post-9/11 veterans is required to ensure that the needs of this population are adequately addressed, as well as to counter inaccurate veteran stereotypes. Methods Post-9/11 U.S. veterans’ (N = 15,160) and non-veterans’ (N = 4,533) reported on their health and broader well-being as part of a confidential web-based survey in 2018. Participants were drawn from probability-based sampling frames, and sex-stratified weighted logistic regressions were conducted to examine differences in veterans’ and non-veterans’ reports of health, vocational, financial, and social outcomes. Results Although both men and women post-9/11 veterans endorsed poorer health status than non-veterans, they reported greater engagement in a number of positive health behaviors (healthy eating and exercise) and were more likely to indicate having access to health care. Veterans also endorsed greater social well-being than non-veterans on several outcomes, whereas few differences were observed in vocational and financial well-being. Conclusion Despite their greater vulnerability to experiencing health conditions, the newest generation of post-9/11 U.S. veterans report experiencing similar or better outcomes than non-veterans in many aspects of their lives. Findings underscore the value of examining a wider range of health and well-being outcomes in veteran research and highlight a number of important directions for intervention, public health education, policy, and research related to the reintegration of military veterans within broader civilian society. Results revealed unique strengths for post-9/11 U.S. veterans compared to non-veterans. Veterans reported poorer health status but more positive health behaviors. Veterans endorsed better social well-being on some outcomes. Results highlight the value of assessing multiple aspects of veterans’ health and well-being. Findings can be used to correct inaccurate stereotypes about U.S. veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawne Vogt
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shelby Borowski
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shira Maguen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John R Blosnich
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Claire A Hoffmire
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Aurora, CO, USA.,University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Paul A Bernhard
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes of Military Exposures, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katherine M Iverson
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aaron Schneiderman
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes of Military Exposures, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, USA
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11
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Maguen S, Griffin BJ, Copeland LA, Perkins DF, Richardson CB, Finley EP, Vogt D. Trajectories of functioning in a population-based sample of veterans: contributions of moral injury, PTSD, and depression. Psychol Med 2022; 52:2332-2341. [PMID: 33234177 PMCID: PMC9527674 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720004249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although research has shown that exposure to potentially traumatic and morally injurious events is associated with psychological symptoms among veterans, knowledge regarding functioning impacts remains limited. METHODS A population-based sample of post-9/11 veterans completed measures of intimate relationship, health, and work functioning at approximately 9, 15, 21, and 27 months after leaving service. Moral injury, posttraumatic stress, and depression were assessed at ~9 months post-separation. We used Latent Growth Mixture Models to identify discrete classes characterized by unique trajectories of change in functioning over time and to examine predictors of class membership. RESULTS Veterans were assigned to one of four functioning trajectories: high and stable, high and decreasing, moderate and increasing, and moderate and stable. Whereas posttraumatic stress, depression, and moral injury associated with perpetration and betrayal predicted worse outcomes at baseline across multiple functioning domains, moral injury associated with perpetration and depression most reliably predicted assignment to trajectories characterized by relatively poor or declining functioning. CONCLUSIONS Moral injury contributes to functional problems beyond what is explained by posttraumatic stress and depression, and moral injury due to perpetration and depression most reliably predicted assignment to trajectories characterized by functional impairment over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Maguen
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA
- University of California – San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Brandon J. Griffin
- Central Arkansas VA Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Laurel A. Copeland
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, USA
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Erin P. Finley
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Dawne Vogt
- National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Hoffmire CA, Borowski S, Griffin BJ, Maguen S, Vogt D. Trajectories of suicidal ideation following separation from military service: Overall trends and group differences. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2022; 52:413-426. [PMID: 35067967 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the transition out of military service is a high-risk time for suicidal ideation (SI), a paucity of research examines the development of SI during this transition process and veteran subgroups at risk for SI as they readjust to civilian life. METHODS A population-based, longitudinal post-9/11 veteran cohort reported SI frequency at 3, 9, 15, 21, and 27 months post-separation using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. We identified distinct trajectories of SI over time (i.e., classes) using latent class growth analysis and examined demographic and military service predictors of class membership overall and by gender using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS Four SI trajectories that were similar across genders were identified: resilient (90.1%), delayed onset (5.0%), remitting (2.7%), and chronic (2.2%). Younger age, minority race/ethnicity, medical and other (vs. honorable) separation types, and Veterans Health Administration service utilization were associated with increased odds of assignment to a higher-risk trajectory (delayed onset, remitting, and/or chronic vs. resilient), whereas continued service in the National Guard/Reserves and officer rank was associated with lower odds of assignment to a higher-risk trajectory. CONCLUSIONS Findings regarding veterans at greatest risk for SI following military separation can inform targeted assessment and early intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire A Hoffmire
- Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Shelby Borowski
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brandon J Griffin
- Central Arkansas VA Health Care System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Services School of Medicine, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Shira Maguen
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, Department of Veterans Affairs, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Dawne Vogt
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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13
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Changes in the health and broader well-being of U.S. veterans in the first three years after leaving military service: Overall trends and group differences. Soc Sci Med 2022; 294:114702. [PMID: 35051742 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Scholars have theorized that the initial period after military discharge may be a particularly vulnerable time for veterans. Yet, several recent studies raise the prospect that risk for poor adjustment may actually increase rather than decrease over time. The current study examined whether the U.S. military veteran population experiences improvements or declines in their health and broader well-being during the first three years after leaving military service and documented differences based on gender, military rank, and warzone deployment history. METHODS A population-based sample of 3733 newly separated veterans completed a survey within three months of separation (Fall 2016), followed by five additional surveys at six-month intervals. Weighted multilevel logistic regressions were conducted to examine changes in the proportion of veterans reporting good health and broader well-being over time. RESULTS Most aspects of veterans' health and broader well-being worsened over time, with a noteworthy increase in reporting of mental health conditions and a decline in veterans' community involvement. Declines in the proportion of veterans reporting good health and well-being were most notable for women, with smaller differences observed for other subgroups. CONCLUSIONS The finding that veterans experienced worsening health and broader well-being over time highlights the need for enhanced prevention and early intervention efforts to mitigate these declines. Findings also point to the importance of attending to the unique readjustment concerns of female veterans and other at-risk subgroups.
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14
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Zelkowitz RL, Mitchell KS, Grossman SL, Nillni YI, Gradus JL, Galovski TE. Latent Class Analysis of Self-directed Violence and Indirect Self-harm Behaviors: Gender Differences and Associations With Mental Health Symptoms. Med Care 2021; 59:S51-S57. [PMID: 33438883 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to (1) examine whether the latent class structure of individuals engaging in self-directed violence and indirect self-harm behaviors (eg, substance use, disordered eating) varied by gender in a sample of US veterans, and (2) test the associations of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms with the resulting classes. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional data from 3581 veterans, ages 18-50 (51.9% identified as women) were analyzed. Veterans self-reported histories of self-directed violence, substance use, and disordered eating. Latent class analysis and latent class regression were used to explore class structure by gender and examine association of class membership with PTSD and depressive symptoms. RESULTS A 4-class model was supported in the sample. Class 1 (20.0%) was characterized by substance use and self-directed violent thoughts and behaviors. Class 2 (8.3%) was characterized by substance use, disordered eating, and self-directed violent thoughts and behaviors. Class 3 (12.6%) was distinguished by indirect self-harm behaviors (substance use and disordered eating). Class 4 (59.6%) reflected low likelihood of behavioral dysregulation. Classes were partially invariant across gender; endorsement of substance use behaviors was generally higher for men in each class. Comorbid clinically significant depressive and PTSD symptoms were associated with the class characterized by highest behavioral dysregulation. CONCLUSIONS Self-directed violent thoughts and behaviors present comorbidly with indirect self-harm in men and women veterans, although patterns of indirect self-harm behaviors differ slightly by gender. Such comorbidity may be associated with more severe presentations of psychiatric concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Zelkowitz
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
| | - Karen S Mitchell
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
| | - Stephanie L Grossman
- Behavioral Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
| | - Yael I Nillni
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
| | - Jaimie L Gradus
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Tara E Galovski
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
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15
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Long D, Polinder S, Bonsel GJ, Haagsma JA. Test-retest reliability of the EQ-5D-5L and the reworded QOLIBRI-OS in the general population of Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Qual Life Res 2021; 30:2961-2971. [PMID: 34075530 PMCID: PMC8481194 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-021-02893-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the test-retest reliability of the EQ-5D-5L and the reworded Quality of Life After Traumatic Brain Injury Overall Scale (QOLIBRI-OS) for the general population of Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom (UK). METHODS The sample contains 1864 members of the general population (aged 18-75 years) of Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK who completed a web-based questionnaire at two consecutive time points. The survey included items on gender, age, level of education, occupational status, household annual income, chronic health status, and the EQ-5D-5L and reworded QOLIBRI-OS instrument. Test-retest reliability of the EQ-5D-5L dimensions, EQ-5D-5L summary index, EQ VAS, reworded QOLIBRI-OS dimensions and reworded QOLIBRI-OS level sum score was examined by Gwet's Agreement Coefficient (Gwet's AC) and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). RESULTS Gwet's AC ranged from 0.64 to 0.97 for EQ-5D-5L dimensions. The ICC ranged from 0.73 to 0.84 for the EQ-5D-5L summary index and 0.61 to 0.68 for EQ VAS in the three countries. Gwet's AC ranged from 0.35 to 0.55 for reworded QOLIBRI-OS dimensions in the three countries. The ICC ranged from 0.69 to 0.77 for reworded QOLIBRI-OS level sum score. CONCLUSION Test-retest reliability of the EQ-5D-5L administered via a web-based questionnaire was substantial to almost perfect for the EQ-5D-5L dimensions, good for EQ-5D-5L summary index, and moderate for the EQ VAS. However, test-retest reliability was less satisfactory for the reworded QOLIBRI-OS. This indicates that the web-based EQ-5D-5L is a reliable instrument for the general population, but further research of the reworded QOLIBRI-OS is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Long
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Polinder
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gouke J. Bonsel
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands ,EuroQol Group Executive Office, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Juanita A. Haagsma
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XDepartment of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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16
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Gender differences in prevalence and outcomes of exposure to potentially morally injurious events among post-9/11 veterans. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 130:97-103. [PMID: 32805522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Our goal was to identify gender differences in the prevalence and outcomes of exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) in a sample of U.S. military veterans. In a national sample of post-9/11 veterans (n = 7200) weighted to reflect the larger population of newly separated U.S. veterans, we conducted gender-stratified analyses of the prevalence of exposure to PMIEs and their associations with psychological and functional problems. Veterans reported exposures stemming from witnessing (27.9%), perpetrating (18.8%), and being betrayed (41.1%). Women more frequently reported witnessing- and betrayal-based PMIEs, but no gender differences were observed for perpetration-based PMIEs. Psychological distress was associated with witnessing and betrayal among women and with witnessing, betrayal, and perpetration among men. Whereas betrayal was most consistently associated with functional impairment across domains for women, perpetration was most consistently associated with functional impairment for men. Moral injury contributes to psychological and functional problems among a significant minority of military veterans, although effects vary based on PMIE type and gender. Implications for veterans and other populations who experience moral injury are discussed.
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17
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Haney LJ, Pugh MJV, Copeland LA, Wang CP, MacCarthy DJ, Amuan ME, Shireman PK. Persistent Pain, Physical Dysfunction, and Decreased Quality of Life After Combat Extremity Vascular Trauma. Ann Vasc Surg 2020; 71:167-180. [PMID: 32890646 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2020.08.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combat-related extremity vascular injuries (EVI) have long-lasting impact on Iraq/Afghanistan veterans. The purpose of this study is to describe long-term functional outcomes in veterans with EVI using survey measures and identify modifiable factors that may be improved to reduce chronic pain and injury-related dysfunction. METHODS Veterans with upper and lower EVI undergoing an initial limb salvage attempt were identified using the Department of Defense Trauma Registry and validated with chart abstraction. Surveys measured pain; Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) for self-reported bother and dysfunction; and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) physical and mental component scores (PCS; MCS) for quality of life, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the potentially modifiable factors of reintegration into civilian life, resilient coping, resilience, and family functioning. RESULTS Eighty-one patients responded with an average time since injury of 129 months (SD: 31; range 67-180 months). Mechanism of injury included 64% explosions and 31% gunshot wounds; 16% of the respondents were diagnosed with moderate/severe/penetrating traumatic brain injury. Limb salvage rates were 100% and 77% for upper and lower extremities, respectively (P = 0.004). Respondents screened positive for probable depression (55%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (51%). Compared with population norms, SMFA bother and dysfunction indices were higher (worse), MCS was lower (worse), and PCS was similar. The multivariable models adjusted for age, marital status and pain. The higher SMFA is part of the results of the multivariable models. MCS decreased with difficulty reintegrating into civilian life and was positively correlated with increased resilience and resilient coping. SMFA scores were greater for patients with high pain intensity and increased 6-11 points per point increase in difficulty with civilian-life reintegration. SMFA dysfunction was associated with better family functioning. CONCLUSIONS EVI results in significant long-term disability with lasting deficits in physical function, frequent depressive symptoms, and below average self-reported quality of life. Strengthening modifiable factors including resiliency and resilient coping, and providing ongoing assistance to improve reintegration into civilian life, may ameliorate the functional disabilities and chronic pain experienced by veterans with EVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Haney
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, and the Department of Population Health Sciences, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Mary Jo V Pugh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT; VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Laurel A Copeland
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA; Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Chen-Pin Wang
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, and the Department of Population Health Sciences, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Daniel J MacCarthy
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, and the Department of Population Health Sciences, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Megan E Amuan
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Paula K Shireman
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, and the Department of Population Health Sciences, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.
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18
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Gaeddert LA, Schneider AL, Miller CN, Monteith LL, Brenner LA, Katon J, Hoffmire CA. Recruitment of women veterans into suicide prevention research: Improving response rates with enhanced recruitment materials and multiple survey modalities. Res Nurs Health 2020; 43:538-547. [PMID: 32827237 DOI: 10.1002/nur.22065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Women veterans (WV) are the fastest growing veteran subpopulation and recognized to be at increased risk for suicide compared with civilians. Improving engagement (e.g., response rates) of WV in survey research is critical to ensuring valid and generalizable findings, which can inform suicide prevention programs tailored for this population. Many factors are known to influence response rates, yet little is known about ways to optimize survey response rates among WV. Three recruitment cohorts (Waves 1 [W1], 2a [W2a], and 2b [W2b]) of WV were invited to participate in an online survey for a national, mixed-methods study examining suicide risk among WV using reproductive health care services paid for or provided by the Veterans Health Administration. To examine the effects of enhanced recruitment efforts, standard recruitment materials were mailed to all three cohorts, with the additions of: a study flyer aiming to build trust between participants and researchers (W2a, W2b) and a paper survey (W2b). Characteristics of responders and non-responders were compared by wave and across survey modalities. Response rates were significantly higher for groups receiving enhanced (W2a = 17.1%; W2b = 24.6%) versus standard (W1 = 12.2%) recruitment materials. WV residing in rural areas were significantly more likely to respond by paper (37.1%) than online (19.8%). Non-respondents were disproportionately racial and ethnic minorities. Disclosure of sensitive information (e.g., military sexual trauma) did not differ by survey modality. Findings suggest that enhanced recruitment materials improve survey response rates among WV, an important consideration for future research with this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel A Gaeddert
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Alexandra L Schneider
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Christin N Miller
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lindsey L Monteith
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lisa A Brenner
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jodie Katon
- Health Services Research and Development Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Claire A Hoffmire
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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19
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Nillni YI, Shayani DR, Finley E, Copeland LA, Perkins DF, Vogt D. The Impact of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Moral Injury on Women Veterans' Perinatal Outcomes Following Separation From Military Service. J Trauma Stress 2020; 33:248-256. [PMID: 32291816 PMCID: PMC7864116 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been found to lead to several adverse perinatal outcomes in the general population. Preliminary research has found that women veterans with PTSD have an increased prevalence of preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. Less research has examined the role of moral injury (MI) in perinatal outcomes. This longitudinal survey study examined the impact of PTSD symptoms and MI on prospectively assessed adverse perinatal outcomes among women who became pregnant in the first 3 years after separating from U.S. military service (N = 318). The Moral Injury Events Scale was used to assess the degree to which individuals experienced distress related to transgressions of deeply held moral beliefs, and the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD) was used to assess PTSD symptoms. Perinatal outcomes included experiencing an adverse pregnancy outcome (e.g., preterm birth, gestational diabetes), postpartum depression and/or anxiety, and perceived difficult pregnancy. Although both PTSD symptoms, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.16, 95% CI [1.00, 1.35]; and MI, aOR = 1.27, 95% CI [1.06, 1.41], emerged as significant predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes, only PTSD symptoms were a significant predictor of postpartum depression and/or anxiety, aOR = 1.43, 95% CI [1.22, 1.68], and perception of a difficult pregnancy, β = .31, when controlling for lifetime trauma exposure, age, socioeconomic status, and ethnic/racial minority status. The results indicate that both PTSD symptoms and MI are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, supporting the potential need to screen for both PTSD and MI during the perinatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael I. Nillni
- National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division at VA Boston Healthcare System,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
| | - Danielle R. Shayani
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine,Northeastern University
| | - Erin Finley
- Veterans Evidence-based Research Dissemination and Implementation Center, South Texas Veterans Health Care System,Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, UT Health San Antonio
| | - Laurel A. Copeland
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System,Department of Population and Quantitative Health Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School
| | - Daniel F. Perkins
- Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, and Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, The Pennsylvania State University
| | - Dawne Vogt
- National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Sciences Division at VA Boston Healthcare System,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
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20
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Pejtersen JH. The effect of monetary incentive on survey response for vulnerable children and youths: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233025. [PMID: 32396564 PMCID: PMC7217457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM In surveys non-responders may introduce bias and lower the validity of the studies. Ways to increase response rates are therefore important. The purpose of the study was to investigate if an unconditional monetary incentive can increase the response rate for vulnerable children and youths in a postal questionnaire survey. METHODS The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. The study population consisted of 262 children and youth who participated in an established intervention study aimed at creating networks for different groups of vulnerable children and youths. The mean age of the participants was 16.7 years (range 11-28) and 67.9% were female. The questionnaire was adapted to three different age groups and covered different aspects of the participants' life situation, including the dimensions from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). In the follow-up survey, participants were randomly allocated to two groups that either received a €15 voucher for a supermarket together with the questionnaire or only received the questionnaire. We used Poisson regression to estimate the differences in response rate (Rate Ratio RR) between the intervention group and the control group. RESULTS The response rate was 75.5% in the intervention group and 42.9% in the control group. The response rate in the intervention group was significantly higher than in the control group when adjusting for age and gender (Rate Ratio, RR 1.73; 95% CI 1.38-2.17). We did not find any significant differences in scales scores between the two groups for the five scales of the SDQ. In stratified analyses, we found the effect of the incentive to be higher for males (RR 2.81; 95% CI 1.61-4.91) than for females (1.43; 95% CI 1.12-1.84). CONCLUSIONS Monetary incentives can increase the response rate for vulnerable children and youths in surveys. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01741675.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Hyld Pejtersen
- VIVE–The Danish Center for Social Science Research, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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21
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U.S. Military Veterans' Health and Well-Being in the First Year After Service. Am J Prev Med 2020; 58:352-360. [PMID: 31902684 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study examined the health and well-being of U.S. veterans during the first year after military service and tested several hypotheses regarding differences in veterans' well-being over time, across life domains, and based on sex, military rank, and deployment history. METHODS A national sample of 9,566 veterans was recruited from a roster of all separating U.S. service members in the fall of 2016. Veterans' status, functioning, and satisfaction with regard to their health, work, and social relationships were assessed within 3 months of separation and then 6 months later. Analyses were completed in 2019. RESULTS Health concerns were most salient for newly separated veterans, with many veterans reporting that they had chronic physical (53%) or mental (33%) health conditions and were less satisfied with their health than either their work or social relationships. By contrast, most veterans reported relatively high vocational and social well-being and only work functioning demonstrated a notable decline in the first year following separation. Enlisted personnel reported consistently poorer health, vocational, and social outcomes compared with their officer counterparts, whereas war zone-deployed veterans reported more health concerns and women endorsed more mental health concerns compared with their nondeployed and male peers. CONCLUSIONS Although most newly separated veterans experience high vocational and social well-being as they reintegrate into civilian life, findings point to the need for additional attention to the health of separating service members and bolstered support for enlisted personnel to prevent the development of chronic readjustment challenges within this population.
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Sanders W, Smith BN, Fox AB, Vogt D. Five-Year Impacts of Family Stressors and Combat Threat on the Mental Health of Afghanistan and Iraq War Veterans. J Trauma Stress 2019; 32:724-732. [PMID: 31433527 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
It has been well established that warfare-related stress puts service members at risk for a range of mental health problems after they return from deployment. Less is known about service members' experience of family stressors during deployment. The aims of this study were to (a) evaluate whether family stressors would contribute unique variance to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms above and beyond combat threat during deployment and (b) examine whether family stressors would amplify the negative effects of combat threat on postmilitary mental health 5 years postdischarge. Study participants reported their experience of objective and subjective family stressors and combat threat during deployment. Objective family stressors demonstrated unique associations with PTSD and depression symptoms and remained significant after accounting for ongoing family stressors reported at follow-up. A significant interaction was found between objective family stressors and combat threat on PTSD symptoms, r = -.10. Although the association between combat threat and PTSD was significant for participants who reported high, B = 0.04; and low, B = 0.09, exposure to family stressors, the steeper slope for those exposed to fewer family stressors indicates a stronger effect of combat threat. Follow-up analyses revealed that veterans who experienced high amounts of family stress and high levels of combat threat reported significantly worse PTSD symptoms than those who reported low family stress, t(256) = 3.98, p < .001. Findings underscore the importance of attending to the role that family stressors experienced during deployment play in service members' postmilitary mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Sanders
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian N Smith
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Annie B Fox
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dawne Vogt
- Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Combellick JL, Dziura J, Portnoy GA, Mattocks KM, Brandt CA, Haskell SG. Trauma and Sexual Risk: Do Men and Women Veterans Differ? Womens Health Issues 2019; 29 Suppl 1:S74-S82. [PMID: 31253246 DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Trauma has been associated with risky sexual behavior in diverse populations. However, little is known about this association among men and women veterans. This study hypothesized that 1) a history of trauma would be associated with risky sexual behavior among men and women veterans, 2) interpersonal trauma would predict risky sexual behavior among women, whereas noninterpersonal trauma would predict risky sexual behavior among men, and 3) military-related trauma would constitute additional risk. Using data from 567 women and 524 men veterans enrolled at the Veterans Health Administration, this study investigated the association between trauma-related experiences and risky sexual behavior in the last 12 months. Risk and protective factors that have been frequently associated with sexual behavior in previous research were also included in the model. METHODS This study was drawn from the Women Veterans Cohort Study, a national survey of veterans. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed after multiple imputation for missing data. RESULTS Predictive factors associated with risky sexual behavior differed between men and women veterans. Among women, childhood sexual victimization and intimate partner violence were associated with risky sexual behavior. Among men, binge drinking was the single significant risk factor. Military exposures were not significantly associated with risky sexual behavior in either men or women. CONCLUSIONS This study lays the groundwork for theory-generating research into the psychological underpinnings of noted associations and underscores the importance of integrated health services to address the range of issues affecting sexual behavior and related health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan L Combellick
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut; Department of Midwifery, Yale School of Nursing, Orange, Connecticut.
| | - James Dziura
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut; Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Galina A Portnoy
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Kristin M Mattocks
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Northampton, Massachusetts; Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Cynthia A Brandt
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut; Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Sally G Haskell
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut; Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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Sack DI, Woodruff SI, McCabe CT, Galarneau MR, Han PP. Evaluation of Three Postal Invitational Strategies to Increase Survey Response Rates in a Combat-Injured U.S. Military Population: Findings From the Wounded Warrior Recovery Project. Mil Med 2019; 184:521-528. [PMID: 30901447 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The survival rate of those injured in combat in overseas contingency operations is higher than in previous conflicts. There is a need to assess the long-term psychosocial and quality of life outcomes of those injured in combat, yet surveying this population presents inherent challenges. As part of a large-scale, longitudinal examination of patient-reported outcomes of service members injured on deployment, the present manuscript evaluated the effectiveness of three postal strategies on response rates: (1) mailing a study prenotification postcard, (2) mailing the survey invitation in a larger envelope, and (3) including a small cash preincentive ($2). Evaluation of these strategies yielded mixed results in this population. Neither the prenotification postcard nor inclusion of a $2 cash preincentive significantly increased response rates. However, use of a larger envelope to mail the survey invitation significantly increased the response rate by 53.1%. Researchers interested in collecting patient-reported outcomes among military populations, including those with combat-related injuries, may find that increasing the visibility of recruitment materials is more effective for improving response rates than attempting to cognitively prime or offer prospective participants preincentives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michael R Galarneau
- Naval Health Research Center, Department of Medical Modeling, Simulation, and Mission Support, 140 Sylvester Rd., San Diego, CA
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25
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Portnoy GA, Relyea MR, Decker S, Shamaskin-Garroway A, Driscoll M, Brandt CA, Haskell SG. Understanding Gender Differences in Resilience Among Veterans: Trauma History and Social Ecology. J Trauma Stress 2018; 31:845-855. [PMID: 30431668 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A social-ecological framework for resilience underscores the importance of conceptualizing individuals embedded within their context when evaluating a person's vulnerability and adaptation to stress. Despite a high level of trauma exposure, most veterans exhibit psychological resilience following a traumatic event. Interpersonal trauma is associated with poorer psychological outcomes than noninterpersonal trauma and is experienced more frequently across the lifespan by women as compared to men. In the present study, we examined gender differences in trauma exposure, resilience, and protective factors among veterans. Participants included 665 veterans who completed a baseline survey assessing traumatic events; 544 veterans (81.8%) completed a 1-year follow-up survey assessing resilience, combat exposure, deployment social support, deployment preparedness, and military sexual trauma (MST). Principal component analyses revealed the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire categorized into four meaningful components: sexual abuse, interpersonal violence, stranger violence, and accidents/unexpected trauma. Women reported greater exposure to sexual abuse, d = 0.76; interpersonal violence, d = 0.31; and MST, Cramer's V = 0.54; men reported greater exposure to stranger violence, accidents/unexpected trauma, and combat exposure, ds = 0.24-0.55. Compared to women, men also reported greater social support during deployment, d = 0.46. Hierarchical linear regression indicated that men's resilience scores were higher than women's, β = .10, p = .032, yet this association was no longer significant once we accounted for trauma type, β = .07, p = .197. Results indicate that trauma type is central to resilience and suggest one must consider the social-ecological context that can promote or inhibit resilient processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina A Portnoy
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mark R Relyea
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Yale School of Medicine, Center for Medical Informatics, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Suzanne Decker
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Andrea Shamaskin-Garroway
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.,School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Mary Driscoll
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Cynthia A Brandt
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Yale School of Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Center for Medical Informatics, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sally G Haskell
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Yale School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Yu S, Alper HE, Nguyen AM, Brackbill RM, Turner L, Walker DJ, Maslow CB, Zweig KC. The effectiveness of a monetary incentive offer on survey response rates and response completeness in a longitudinal study. BMC Med Res Methodol 2017; 17:77. [PMID: 28446131 PMCID: PMC5406995 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-017-0353-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Achieving adequate response rates is an ongoing challenge for longitudinal studies. The World Trade Center Health Registry is a longitudinal health study that periodically surveys a cohort of ~71,000 people exposed to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City. Since Wave 1, the Registry has conducted three follow-up surveys (Waves 2–4) every 3–4 years and utilized various strategies to increase survey participation. A promised monetary incentive was offered for the first time to survey non-respondents in the recent Wave 4 survey, conducted 13–14 years after 9/11. Methods We evaluated the effectiveness of a monetary incentive in improving the response rate five months after survey launch, and assessed whether or not response completeness was compromised due to incentive use. The study compared the likelihood of returning a survey for those who received an incentive offer to those who did not, using logistic regression models. Among those who returned surveys, we also examined whether those receiving an incentive notification had higher rate of response completeness than those who did not, using negative binomial regression models and logistic regression models. Results We found that a $10 monetary incentive offer was effective in increasing Wave 4 response rates. Specifically, the $10 incentive offer was useful in encouraging initially reluctant participants to respond to the survey. The likelihood of returning a survey increased by 30% for those who received an incentive offer (AOR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.4), and the incentive increased the number of returned surveys by 18%. Moreover, our results did not reveal any significant differences on response completeness between those who received an incentive offer and those who did not. Conclusions In the face of the growing challenge of maintaining a high response rate for the World Trade Center Health Registry follow-up surveys, this study showed the value of offering a monetary incentive as an additional refusal conversion strategy. Our findings also suggest that an incentive offer could be particularly useful near the end of data collection period when an immediate boost in response rate is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengchao Yu
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, 10th Floor, New York City, NY, 10013, USA.
| | - Howard E Alper
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, 10th Floor, New York City, NY, 10013, USA
| | - Angela-Maithy Nguyen
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, 10th Floor, New York City, NY, 10013, USA
| | - Robert M Brackbill
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, 10th Floor, New York City, NY, 10013, USA
| | - Lennon Turner
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, 10th Floor, New York City, NY, 10013, USA
| | - Deborah J Walker
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, 10th Floor, New York City, NY, 10013, USA
| | - Carey B Maslow
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, 10th Floor, New York City, NY, 10013, USA
| | - Kimberly C Zweig
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth Street, 10th Floor, New York City, NY, 10013, USA
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Finley EP, Pugh MJ, Palmer RF. Validation of a Measure of Family Resilience among Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. MILITARY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 2017; 4:205-219. [PMID: 28168094 DOI: 10.1080/21635781.2016.1153530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Although interactions within veterans' families may support or inhibit resilient coping to stress and trauma across the deployment cycle, research on family resilience has been hampered by the lack of a brief assessment. Using a three-stage mixed-method study, we developed and conducted preliminary validation of a measure of family resilience tailored for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans (IAV), the Family Resilience Scale for Veterans (FRS-V), which was field-tested using a survey of 151 IAV. Our findings indicate the resulting 6-item measure shows strong initial reliability and validity and support the application of existing models of family resilience in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin P Finley
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Raymond F Palmer
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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