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Nieforth LO, Craig EA, Behmer VA, Wadsworth SM, O’Haire ME. PTSD service dogs foster resilience among veterans and military families. Curr Psychol 2023; 42:13207-13219. [PMID: 37583981 PMCID: PMC10424767 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01990-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Military deployment and reintegration challenges permeate the lives and relationships of Veterans, their spouses, and their families. Among these challenges, 23% of post-9/11 Veterans have been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychiatric service dogs have been found to help clinically alleviate PTSD symptoms when used as a complementary intervention. However, minimal research exists that explores the role of the service dog as a mechanism for cultivating resilience within the military family system. Researchers utilized a qualitative, constant comparative approach to analyze self-reported experiences of 101 individuals, including Veterans (n = 67) and their spouses (n = 34). Analyzed through the framework of the Theory of Resilience and Relational Load (Afifi et al., 2016), findings suggest complex communication processes that facilitate relational and family adaptation. These processes encompassed (a) the role of the service dog in building emotional reserves, (b) relational load introduced when caring for the service dog, and (c) the service dog's facilitation of relational maintenance behaviors among family members that contributed to communal orientation. Based on the results of this qualitative analysis, researchers suggest educational interventions where service dog trainers and mental health practitioners can incorporate relational maintenance strategies and family-focused approaches to integrating service dogs as military family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne O. Nieforth
- Center for the Human Animal Bond, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 725 Harrison St CPB/VPTH, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Craig
- Department of Communication, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Virginia A. Behmer
- Center for the Human Animal Bond, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 725 Harrison St CPB/VPTH, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | | | - Marguerite E. O’Haire
- Center for the Human Animal Bond, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 725 Harrison St CPB/VPTH, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
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Qin Y, Sneddon DA, MacDermid Wadsworth S, Topp D, Sterrett RA, Newton JR, Eicher-Miller HA. Grit but Not Help-Seeking Was Associated with Food Insecurity among Low Income, At-Risk Rural Veterans. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:2500. [PMID: 36767870 PMCID: PMC9916015 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Rural veterans have poorer health, use healthcare services less often than their urban counterparts, and have more prevalent food insecurity than average U.S. households. Food insecurity and resource use may be influenced by modifiable psychological attributes such as grit and help-seeking behaviors, which may be improved through interventions. Grit and help-seeking have not been previously evaluated among rural veterans. Thus, this cross-sectional study evaluated the hypothesis that grit and help-seeking were associated with food insecurity and the use of resources. Food security, resource use, grit, and help-seeking behavior were assessed among rural veterans (≥18 years) from five food pantries in southern Illinois counties (n = 177) from March 2021 to November 2021. Adjusted multiple regression was used to estimate the relationship between the odds of food insecurity and the use of resources with grit and help-seeking scores. Higher grit scores were significantly associated with lower odds of food insecurity (OR = 0.5, p = 0.009). No other associations were detected. The results provided evidence to inform the content of future educational interventions to improve food insecurity and address health disparities among rural veterans by addressing grit. The enhancement of psychological traits such as grit is related to food security and has the potential to benefit other aspects of well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qin
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Douglas A. Sneddon
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | | | - Dave Topp
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Rena A. Sterrett
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jake R. Newton
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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3
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Southwell K, Topp D, McCall C, Ludiker K, Runco L, MacDermid Wadsworth S. Focus Forward Fellowship: Evaluation of a program for women student service members and veterans. Eval Program Plann 2022; 95:102156. [PMID: 36081233 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2022.102156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Focus Forward Fellowship was designed to support women student service members and veterans (SSM/Vs) in developing skills and resources to promote persistence to graduation and career attainment. Despite their accomplishments and strengths, women SSM/Vs can be challenged by their military and gender identities in a university environment surrounded by peers who differ in age and life experience (Iverson et al., 2016). Guided by King's (2004) meaning of life meta-model, the Fellowship was designed to increase sense of belonging, understanding of self, and engagement in behaviors tied to academic and career success. We gathered longitudinal evaluation data from two early program cohorts comprising 19 women. Analyses indicated that women reported significant gains in knowledge and use of personal strengths, identity integration, resume preparation, and networking skills, with baseline assessments controlled. No gains were found for sense of belonging or engagement in networking with career professionals or military peers. Based on existing literature, improvement in identity integration is a particularly positive contribution to women students' academic and career success. Program refinements will aim to strengthen contributions to the "belonging" domainof the program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenona Southwell
- Eagle Technologies, Inc, Research Department, 1700 N Moore St. Suite 1620, Arlington, VA 22209, USA.
| | - David Topp
- Purdue University, Military Family Research Institute in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, 1202 W State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Christine McCall
- Purdue University, Military Family Research Institute in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, 1202 W State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Keara Ludiker
- Purdue University, Krach Leadership Center, 1198 3rd Street, 4th Floor, Room 422, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Lauren Runco
- SOLID, LLC, Strategy Department, 8204 Greentree Manor Lane, Fairfax Station, VA, USA
| | - Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth
- Purdue University, Military Family Research Institute in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, 1202 W State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Inderstrodt JM, Wadsworth SM, Williams K. Comparing VA and Non-VA Medical Centers: Informing Veteran Health Care Choice at the MISSION Act Watershed. Journal of Veterans Studies 2022. [DOI: 10.21061/jvs.v8i3.343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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Nieforth LO, Abdul Wahab AH, Sabbaghi A, MacDermid Wadsworth S, Foti D, O'Haire ME. Quantifying the emotional experiences of partners of veterans with PTSD service dogs using ecological momentary assessment. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2022; 48:101590. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Qin Y, Sneddon D, Wadsworth SM, Topp D, Sterrett R, Eicher-Miller H. Grit Was Associated With Food Insecurity Among Low Income, At-Risk Rural Veterans. Curr Dev Nutr 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzac065.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
Rural veterans have poorer health, use health care services less often than their urban counterparts, and have more prevalent food insecurity than average U.S. households. Food insecurity and resource use may be influenced by modifiable psychological attributes such as grit, the determination and perseverance for long-term goals, and help-seeking behaviors, yet no previous studies have evaluated grit and help-seeking among rural veterans. Therefore, the association of grit and help-seeking behavior with food insecurity and use of resources was determined among rural veterans.
Methods
Rural veterans from five food pantries in southern Illinois counties with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rurality scores ≥5 of at least 18 years (n = 176) were recruited from March 2021 to November 2021 for this cross-sectional study. Food security range (USDA 6-item Household Food Security Survey Module), use of resources, grit (Short Grit Scale) and help-seeking behavior (General Help-Seeking Questionnaire) were assessed upon recruitment. Characteristics linked to each outcome variable were determined using chi-square tests. Food security and resource use were compared by grit and help-seeking scores. Regression estimated the relationship between odds of food insecurity and use of resources with grit and help-seeking, with adjustment for covariates.
Results
Logistic regression indicated higher grit scores were significantly associated with lower odds of food insecurity (OR = 0.2, p = 0.009). Help seeking was not significant in simple or adjusted regression models.
Conclusions
The study provided evidence to inform the content of future educational interventions to improve food insecurity and address health disparities among rural veterans by addressing grit. Enhancement of psychological traits like grit might improve quality of life independently from food security and potentially benefit other aspects of well-being.
Funding Sources
McCormick Foundation; Lilly Endowment; Purdue University College of Pharmacy Center for Health Equity and Innovation.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Benefits and challenges associated with service dogs for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may extend beyond veterans to their families. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the impact of veterans' PTSD service dogs on spouses and families in a parallel-group, longitudinal design with assessments at baseline and three months follow-up. METHOD A total of 88 United States military veteran spouses completed a survey composed of multiple standardized measures at baseline and three months later. In the intervention group (n = 48), veterans received service dogs shortly after baseline while the waitlist control group (n = 40) did not. RESULTS Linear regression analyses demonstrated significantly lower caregiver satisfaction, higher caregiver burden and higher participation in life activities among spouses who had service dogs in their homes compared to those on the waitlist. Though not significant, small effect sizes were present among additional measures. CONCLUSION Results suggest that although previous literature demonstrates service dogs may offer significant improvements for veterans, spouses and children may not experience those same benefits. Clinicians should consider how to prepare veteran spouses and families for integrating service dogs into their home. Future studies should explore family-focused approaches for service dog integration, defining an optimal strategy for the benefit of the entire family. HIGHLIGHTS Though service dogs may improve wellbeing for veterans with posttraumatic disorder, families of veterans may not experience those same benefits. Researchers and clinicians should consider how to best prepare veteran families for integrating service dogs into their homes.Though posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service dogs are trained specifically for veterans, recent studies have demonstrated that their impact may go beyond veterans themselves (McCall, Rodriguez, Wadsworth, Meis, & O'Haire, 2020; Nieforth, Craig, Behmer, MacDermid Wadsworth, & O'Haire, 2021). PTSD service dogs may provide both benefits and challenges for veteran families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne O Nieforth
- Center for the Human Animal Bond, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Elise A Miller
- Center for the Human Animal Bond, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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Coppola EC, Christ SL, Topp D, Southwell K, Bailey K, MacDermid Wadsworth S. Trajectories of depression symptoms during the process of deployment in military couples. Military Psychology 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2021.1974807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C. Coppola
- Human Development & Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Sharon L. Christ
- Human Development & Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - David Topp
- Human Development & Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Keisha Bailey
- Human Development & Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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Ruiz Y, Wadsworth SM, Elias CM, Marceau K, Purcell M, Redick TS, Richards EA, Schlesinger-Devlin E. Ultra-rapid development and deployment of a family resilience program during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned from Families Tackling Tough Times Together. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health 2020. [DOI: 10.3138/jmvfh-co19-013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yumary Ruiz
- Department of Public Health, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | - Cézanne M. Elias
- Department of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Kristine Marceau
- Department of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Megan Purcell
- Department of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Thomas S. Redick
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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Whiteman SD, Hamwey MK, Topp D, MacDermid Wadsworth S. Youth's Sibling Relationships Across the Course of a Parent's Military Deployment: Trajectories and Implications. Child Dev 2020; 91:1988-2000. [PMID: 32208522 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The present exploratory study explored the trajectories and implications of at-home (military unaffiliated) parents' perceptions of youth's sibling relationships across the course of a parent's military deployment. Participants included 109 families with at least two siblings (older sibling and younger siblings age: M = 10.85, SD = 3.92 and M = 7.89, SD = 3.58, respectively) and one parent serving in the National Guard. Data were collected via in-home interviews, at six time points across the deployment cycle. A series of multilevel models revealed increases in sibling disharmony during the months a deployed parent was away, but showed signs of recovery in the year after they returned. Increases in sibling disharmony were positively associated with increases in youth's externalizing behaviors above and beyond the effects of parenting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meghan K Hamwey
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation.,Uniformed Services University of Health Services
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11
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Marini CM, MacDermid Wadsworth S, Franks MM, Wilson SR, Topp D, Christ SL. Military Spouses' Self- and Partner-Directed Minimization in the Context of Deployment. Mil Behav Health 2019; 7:245-256. [PMID: 31595209 DOI: 10.1080/21635781.2019.1580643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In light of technological advances enabling military couples to communicate throughout deployment, spouses of deployed service members often make decisions about what to share with service members, and how to respond to service members' concerns. In doing so, they manage an emotional boundary between service members and their families. This study focused on two behaviors military spouses may use when managing this boundary, namely their minimization of (1) their own concerns (i.e., self-directed minimization) and (2) service members' concerns (i.e., partner-directed minimization). The purpose of the current study was to identify correlates and consequences of these behaviors. Findings from a longitudinal structural equation model utilizing three waves of data from a sample of 154 married military couples in which the husband was a male National Guard soldier indicated that spouses were more likely to minimize both their own-and service members'-concerns when they themselves reported higher levels of depressive symptomology prior to deployment. Spouses' minimization of service members' concerns during deployment, in turn, predicted higher levels of service members' depressive symptomology at reintegration, even after accounting for their initial depressive symptomology and combat exposure. Implications for intervention efforts aimed at promoting individual and couple adjustment to deployment are discussed.
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Wilson SR, Marini CM, Franks MM, Whiteman SD, Topp D, Wadsworth SM. Communication and connection during deployment: A daily-diary study from the perspective of at-home partners. J Fam Psychol 2018; 32:42-48. [PMID: 28541061 DOI: 10.1037/fam0000333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this study, 87 partners of deployed National Guard service members completed daily diaries in which they recorded for up to 7 consecutive days the channels (e.g., phone) by which they communicated with their service member, the communication activities (e.g., support provision) they and their service member engaged in, and how connected they felt to their service member. Multilevel modeling was used to explore two types of associations between couples' communication activities and partners' feelings of connection for partners who communicated with their service member via phone and/or video during the week. Findings indicated that, across the week, partners who reported that their service member provided them with higher levels of support and who made decisions together more often as a couple felt more connected to their service member (between-person associations). Additionally, on days when partners reported they provided support during phone calls more than they did on average, or their service member provided them support during video calls more than their service member did on average, they reported greater feelings of connection (within-person associations). Future research should explore how daily fluctuations in deployment communication may reinforce or challenge existing relationship processes, thus impacting how couples maintain their relationships after, as well as during, deployment. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Melissa M Franks
- Department of Human Development and Faculty Studies, Purdue University
| | - Shawn D Whiteman
- Department of Family, Consumer, and Human Development, Utah State University
| | - Dave Topp
- Military Family Research Institute, Purdue University
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Mustillo SA, Kysar-Moon A, Douglas SR, Hargraves R, Wadsworth SM, Fraine M, Frazer NL. Overview of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and alcohol misuse among active duty service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, self-report and diagnosis. Mil Med 2016; 180:419-27. [PMID: 25826347 DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-14-00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have found deployment to combat areas to be associated with an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and alcohol abuse, but many previous studies were limited by samples that were not representative of the deployed military as a whole. This study presents an overview of these three mental health problems associated with deployment among Air Force, Army, Marine Corp, and Navy service members returning from deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan between January 2007 and March 2008. With postdeployment health data on over 50,000 service men and women, including diagnostic information, we were able to estimate prevalence of those who screened positive for risk of each disorder in self-report data at two time points, as well as prevalence of diagnoses received during health care encounters within the military health care system. The prevalence ranges of the three disorders were consistent with previous studies using similar measures, but service members in the Navy had higher rates of screening positive for all three disorders and higher prevalence of depression and PTSD diagnoses compared to the other branches. Further, PTSD risk was higher for service members returning from Afghanistan compared to Iraq, in contrast to previous findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Mustillo
- Department of Sociology, University of Notre Dame, 810 Flanner Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556
| | - Ashleigh Kysar-Moon
- Department of Sociology, Purdue University, 700 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Susan R Douglas
- Vanderbilt University, Peabody No. 151, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203
| | - Ryan Hargraves
- Vanderbilt University, Peabody No. 151, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203
| | | | - Melissa Fraine
- Behavioral Health Branch, Clinical Support Directorate, Defense Health Agency, 7700 Arlington Boulevard Falls Church, VA 22042
| | - Nicole L Frazer
- Behavioral Health Branch, Clinical Support Directorate, Defense Health Agency, 7700 Arlington Boulevard Falls Church, VA 22042
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Lester P, Aralis H, Sinclair M, Kiff C, Lee KH, Mustillo S, Wadsworth SM. The Impact of Deployment on Parental, Family and Child Adjustment in Military Families. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2016; 47:938-949. [PMID: 26797704 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-016-0624-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Since 9/11, military service in the United States has been characterized by wartime deployments and reintegration challenges that contribute to a context of stress for military families. Research indicates the negative impact of wartime deployment on the well being of service members, military spouses, and children. Yet, few studies have considered how parental deployments may affect adjustment in young children and their families. Using deployment records and parent-reported measures from primary caregiving (N = 680) and military (n = 310) parents, we examined the influence of deployment on adjustment in military families with children ages 0-10 years. Greater deployment exposure was related to impaired family functioning and marital instability. Parental depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms were associated with impairments in social emotional adjustment in young children, increased anxiety in early childhood, and adjustment problems in school-age children. Conversely, parental sensitivity was associated with improved social and emotional outcomes across childhood. These findings provide guidance to developing preventive approaches for military families with young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Lester
- Nathanson Family Resilience Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, 760 Westwood Plaza, A8-153, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.
| | - Hilary Aralis
- Nathanson Family Resilience Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, 760 Westwood Plaza, A8-153, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Maegan Sinclair
- Nathanson Family Resilience Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, 760 Westwood Plaza, A8-153, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Cara Kiff
- Nathanson Family Resilience Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, 760 Westwood Plaza, A8-153, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Kyung-Hee Lee
- Military Family Research Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Sarah Mustillo
- Department of Sociology, Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, IN, USA
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O'Grady AEF, Wadsworth SM, Willerton E, Cardin JF, Topp D, Mustillo S, Lester P. Help seeking by parents in military families on behalf of their young children. Psychol Serv 2016. [PMID: 26213792 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, many children have experienced a parental deployment, increasing their risk for emotional and behavioral problems. Research in the general population has shown that while many services are available for families with children experiencing problems, the rate of service utilization is low. This study examined help-seeking processes in military families in relation to children's problems. We collected data on emotional and behavioral problems from a sample of military parents with children ranging in age from zero to 10 years. While prevalence of children with problems was similar to prior research, results in this study suggested that military parents were alert to problems. Although military parents' help-seeking processes were similar to those documented in civilian studies in many respects, we did not find a significant gender difference in the recognition of problems. Furthermore, we found that children's experiences of deployment were related to use of services. Families who used services most often relied on primary care providers. These findings suggest military families are mindful of the possibility of their children having problems. In addition, many families utilize civilian services. Therefore, it is important to ensure that front-line civilian providers fully understand the context of military family issues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - David Topp
- Military Family Research Institute, Purdue University
| | | | - Patricia Lester
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles
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Wadsworth SM, Cardin JF, Christ S, Willerton E, O'Grady AF, Topp D, Coppola E, Lester P, Mustillo S. Accumulation of Risk and Promotive Factors Among Young Children in US Military Families. Am J Community Psychol 2016; 57:190-202. [PMID: 27217322 DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In the families of the new cohort of war veterans now entering the civilian population in the United States are over two million young children (Cozza, Haskins & Lerner, 2013; Institute of Medicine, 2013). Several noteworthy studies have shown that children exposed to separation from a parent due to combat-related deployment are at elevated risk for a variety of negative consequences (Lester & Flake, 2013). Cozza et al. (2013) argue that existing studies of military children focus too much on the stresses or deficits they experience, failing to give sufficient attention to their strengths, the strengths of their families, or the supports around them. In the current study we focus on risk and promotive factors in the lives of children aged 0-10 in military families. We examine the likelihood of negative outcomes as functions of additive, cumulative, and interactive relationships between risk and promotive factors and children's outcomes. Risk factors, particularly parental depression, community poverty, and cumulative risk, were more strongly associated with children's outcomes than promotive factors. There was, however, a significant risk-protective relationship between accumulations of risk and promotive factors, consistent with promotive conditions operating in a protective fashion under conditions of elevated risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sharon Christ
- College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Elaine Willerton
- School of Marriage & Family Sciences, Northcentral University, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | | | - David Topp
- Military Family Research Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Elizabeth Coppola
- Military Family Research Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Patricia Lester
- Nathanson Family Resilience Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Mustillo
- Department of Sociology, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, USA
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Nelson CB, Zivin K, Walters H, Ganoczy D, MacDermid Wadsworth S, Valenstein M. Factors Associated With Civilian Employment, Work Satisfaction, and Performance Among National Guard Members. Psychiatr Serv 2015; 66:1318-25. [PMID: 26278223 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.201400334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Employment is a vital part of the postdeployment return to civilian life. This study investigated factors associated with employment-related outcomes (employment status, self-reported work performance, and self-reported work satisfaction) among National Guard members returning from Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn deployments. METHODS The sample consisted of 1,151 National Guard service members who had returned from overseas deployments approximately six months earlier. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed to examine associations between predictors and employment-related outcome variables. RESULTS Higher-risk alcohol use was associated with reduced odds of being employed as well as with lower ratings of work satisfaction, whereas psychiatric symptom load was associated with lower self-reported work performance and work satisfaction ratings. Perceived social resources were associated with higher self-reported work performance and work satisfaction, whereas better physical functioning was associated with better self-reported work performance. CONCLUSIONS Policy makers and clinicians may need to consider and assess alcohol use among unemployed National Guard members. They may also need to consider psychiatric symptom load and physical functioning among employed service members who perceive poor work performance and have low work satisfaction. Further research is needed on causal links between these predictors and employment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Beau Nelson
- Dr. Nelson is with the Division of Mental Health Services, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor (e-mail: ), where Dr. Zivin and Dr. Valenstein are affiliated. Dr. Zivin and Dr. Valenstein are also with the Center for Clinical Management Research, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, where Ms. Walters and Ms. Ganoczy are affiliated. Dr. MacDermid Wadsworth is with the Center for Families and the Military Family Research Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Kara Zivin
- Dr. Nelson is with the Division of Mental Health Services, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor (e-mail: ), where Dr. Zivin and Dr. Valenstein are affiliated. Dr. Zivin and Dr. Valenstein are also with the Center for Clinical Management Research, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, where Ms. Walters and Ms. Ganoczy are affiliated. Dr. MacDermid Wadsworth is with the Center for Families and the Military Family Research Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Heather Walters
- Dr. Nelson is with the Division of Mental Health Services, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor (e-mail: ), where Dr. Zivin and Dr. Valenstein are affiliated. Dr. Zivin and Dr. Valenstein are also with the Center for Clinical Management Research, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, where Ms. Walters and Ms. Ganoczy are affiliated. Dr. MacDermid Wadsworth is with the Center for Families and the Military Family Research Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Dara Ganoczy
- Dr. Nelson is with the Division of Mental Health Services, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor (e-mail: ), where Dr. Zivin and Dr. Valenstein are affiliated. Dr. Zivin and Dr. Valenstein are also with the Center for Clinical Management Research, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, where Ms. Walters and Ms. Ganoczy are affiliated. Dr. MacDermid Wadsworth is with the Center for Families and the Military Family Research Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth
- Dr. Nelson is with the Division of Mental Health Services, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor (e-mail: ), where Dr. Zivin and Dr. Valenstein are affiliated. Dr. Zivin and Dr. Valenstein are also with the Center for Clinical Management Research, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, where Ms. Walters and Ms. Ganoczy are affiliated. Dr. MacDermid Wadsworth is with the Center for Families and the Military Family Research Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Marcia Valenstein
- Dr. Nelson is with the Division of Mental Health Services, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor (e-mail: ), where Dr. Zivin and Dr. Valenstein are affiliated. Dr. Zivin and Dr. Valenstein are also with the Center for Clinical Management Research, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, where Ms. Walters and Ms. Ganoczy are affiliated. Dr. MacDermid Wadsworth is with the Center for Families and the Military Family Research Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
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Wang L, Seelig A, Wadsworth SM, McMaster H, Alcaraz JE, Crum-Cianflone NF. Associations of military divorce with mental, behavioral, and physical health outcomes. BMC Psychiatry 2015; 15:128. [PMID: 26087771 PMCID: PMC4472413 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0517-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Divorce has been linked with poor physical and mental health outcomes among civilians. Given the unique stressors experienced by U.S. service members, including lengthy and/or multiple deployments, this study aimed to examine the associations of recent divorce on health and military outcomes among a cohort of U.S. service members. METHODS Millennium Cohort participants from the first enrollment panel, married at baseline (2001-2003), and married or divorced at follow-up (2004-2006), (N = 29,314). Those divorced were compared to those who remained married for mental, behavioral, physical health, and military outcomes using logistic regression models. RESULTS Compared to those who remained married, recently divorced participants were significantly more likely to screen positive for new-onset posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, smoking initiation, binge drinking, alcohol-related problems, and experience moderate weight gain. However, they were also more likely be in the highest 15(th) percentile of physical functioning, and be able to deploy within the subsequent 3-year period after divorce. CONCLUSIONS Recent divorce among military members was associated with adverse mental health outcomes and risky behaviors, but was also associated with higher odds of subsequent deployment. Attention should be given to those recently divorced regarding mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence Wang
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Amber Seelig
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | | | - Hope McMaster
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA.
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Bowles SV, Pollock LD, Moore M, Wadsworth SM, Cato C, Dekle JW, Meyer SW, Shriver A, Mueller B, Stephens M, Seidler DA, Sheldon J, Picano J, Finch W, Morales R, Blochberger S, Kleiman ME, Thompson D, Bates MJ. Total Force Fitness: The Military Family Fitness Model. Mil Med 2015; 180:246-58. [DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-13-00416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Valenstein M, Gorman L, Blow AJ, Ganoczy D, Walters H, Kees M, Pfeiffer PN, Kim HM, Lagrou R, Wadsworth SM, Rauch SAM, Dalack GW. Reported barriers to mental health care in three samples of U.S. Army National Guard soldiers at three time points. J Trauma Stress 2014; 27:406-14. [PMID: 25158634 DOI: 10.1002/jts.21942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The military community and its partners have made vigorous efforts to address treatment barriers and increase appropriate mental health services use among returning National Guard soldiers. We assessed whether there were differences in reports of treatment barriers in 3 categories (stigma, logistics, or negative beliefs about treatment) in sequential cross-sectional samples of U.S. soldiers from a Midwestern Army National Guard Organization who were returning from overseas deployments. Data were collected during 3 time periods: September 2007-August 2008 (n = 333), March 2009-March 2010 (n = 884), and August 2011-August 2012 (n = 737). In analyses using discretized time periods and in trend analyses, the percentages of soldiers endorsing negative beliefs about treatment declined significantly across the 3 sequential samples (19.1%, 13.9%, and 11.1%). The percentages endorsing stigma barriers (37.8%, 35.2%, 31.8%) decreased significantly only in trend analyses. Within the stigma category, endorsement of individual barriers regarding negative reactions to a soldier seeking treatment declined, but barriers related to concerns about career advancement did not. Negative treatment beliefs were associated with reduced services use (OR = 0.57; 95% CI [0.33, 0.97]).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Valenstein
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor Health Care System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Seelig AD, Jacobson IG, Smith B, Hooper TI, Gackstetter GD, Ryan MAK, Wells TS, MacDermid Wadsworth S, Smith TC. Prospective evaluation of mental health and deployment experience among women in the US military. Am J Epidemiol 2012; 176:135-45. [PMID: 22771728 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwr496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has shown that military women often experience potentially severe health outcomes following deployment. Data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a 21-year longitudinal study examining the health effects of military service, were used to examine this issue. In longitudinal analyses (2001-2008) carried out among US military women (n = 17,481), the authors examined positive screens for depression, anxiety, panic, and posttraumatic stress disorder in relation to deployment in support of the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, while adjusting for relevant baseline and time-varying covariates. Women who were deployed and reported combat-related exposures had greater odds than nondeployed women of reporting symptoms of a mental health condition (odds ratio = 1.91, 95% confidence interval: 1.65, 2.20), after adjustment for demographic, military, and behavioral covariates. In addition, higher stress, problem drinking, and a history of mental illness were significantly associated with increased risk of later mental health conditions. In contrast, women in the Reserves or National Guard and those with higher education were at decreased risk of mental health conditions (all P 's < 0.01). As the roles and responsibilities of women in the military expand and deployments continue, designing better prevention and recovery strategies specifically for women are critical for overall force health protection and readiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber D Seelig
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California 92106-3521, USA.
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