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Research Brief: "Va Disability Compensation And Money Spent On Substance Use Among Homeless Veterans: A Controversial Association", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Nov 2017

Research Brief: "Va Disability Compensation And Money Spent On Substance Use Among Homeless Veterans: A Controversial Association", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research examines the amount of money homeless veterans spend on alcohol and drugs, as well as the association between public support income, i.e. VA disability compensation, and expenditures on alcohol and drugs. Though no association was found between VA disability compensation and substance use, this study does underscore the importance of policy establishing substance abuse treatment for homeless veterans. Future studies on this topic should include more female veterans.


Research Brief: "Service Delivery Experiences And Intervention Needs Of Military Families With Children With Asd", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Nov 2017

Research Brief: "Service Delivery Experiences And Intervention Needs Of Military Families With Children With Asd", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study describes the service delivery challenges and intervention needs of military families that include children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have relocated. In practice and policy, military families with children with ASD living on a military base should consider serving as a mentor to new families on the base to offer information on schools and community resources, and would also benefit from the increased accessibility of resources by the Department of Defense (DoD). More research is needed to learn the best practices of service delivery for military families with children with ASD, and future studies on service delivery …


Research Brief: "Creating Hope: Assisting Veterans With Job Search Strategies Using Cognitive Information Processing Theory", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Aug 2017

Research Brief: "Creating Hope: Assisting Veterans With Job Search Strategies Using Cognitive Information Processing Theory", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study highlights research on common challenges veterans face during their career search, and presents recommendations for meaningful change. The employment needs of veterans can be addressed through cognitive information processing, a career problem solving and decision making theory that involves defining goals, understanding options, ranking options, making a choice, and reflecting on the decided choice. In practice, considering entering the civilian job market after military service can have challenges, and veterans should consider discussing their employment seeking experiences with other veterans who are experiencing similar struggles or who have successfully entered the civilian job market. In practice, the Department …


Research Brief: "Mental Health Of Transgender Veterans In Us States With And Without Discrimination And Hate Crime Legal Protection", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jun 2016

Research Brief: "Mental Health Of Transgender Veterans In Us States With And Without Discrimination And Hate Crime Legal Protection", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study suggests that policies protecting transgender individuals from employment discrimination are associated with better mental health, as it found that transgender individuals represent one of the most marginalized populations in both civilian and military communities. In practice, employers should continue encouraging a safe and welcoming environment for all employees, including individuals who identify as transgender, and medical providers serving transgender veterans should consider evaluating their patients’ mental health. In policy, policymakers might continue efforts to reduce discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and might consider introducing bills to protect LGBTQ+ persons. Suggestions for future study include sampling …


Research Brief: "Spousal Military Deployment During Pregnancy And Adverse Birth Outcomes", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University May 2016

Research Brief: "Spousal Military Deployment During Pregnancy And Adverse Birth Outcomes", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study assesses the association between a spouse’s military deployment and adverse birth outcomes, and concluded that the effect of a spouse’s deployment on adverse birth outcomes can vary by maternal age. Given that a deployment during pregnancy or delivery can negatively affect the mother and baby, policymakers might allocate funds for additional research on the needs of expectant mothers with a deployed spouse. Future work in this field should further evaluate maternal age and number of children as modifiers of the association between these variables.


Research Brief: "Military And Mental Health Correlates Of Unemployment In A National Sample Of Women Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Aug 2015

Research Brief: "Military And Mental Health Correlates Of Unemployment In A National Sample Of Women Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study found that unemployment among female veterans was independently associated with screening positive for depression, as well as several other factors related to military service and veteran status. In practice, caring for the mental health of female veterans might improve their employment prospects, and in addition, many unemployed female veterans expressed that civilian coworkers did not understand their military experience. In policy, the VA and other federal agencies might model programs to support unemployed female veterans after the Institute for Veterans and Military Families’ Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) program. Suggestions for future study include incorporating …


Research Brief: "Suicidality Among Military-Connected Adolescents In California Schools", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University May 2015

Research Brief: "Suicidality Among Military-Connected Adolescents In California Schools", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study examines the prevalence of suicidal ideations among military-connected youth in California, and found that twenty-four percent of military-connected youth reported seriously considering suicide. Given these findings, school personnel and mental health providers should teach coping techniques for anxiety, depression, and stress; they would also benefit from implementing a policy that forbids service members from bringing firearms home during extended leaves and weekends. Future studies should sample military children of all grade levels, including college/university.


Research Brief: "Veterans’ Attitudes Toward Work And Disability Compensation: Associations With Substance Abuse", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Oct 2014

Research Brief: "Veterans’ Attitudes Toward Work And Disability Compensation: Associations With Substance Abuse", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study compares attitudes towards employment and service-connected disabilities among substance using and non-using veterans. In practice, veterans place a high value on being employed, regardless of whether they use substances; however, veterans who used substances were more likely to express fear of losing disability benefits if they became employed. In policy, state-level agencies and programs might work with counseling centers to determine the most productive ways to address the specific employment needs of veterans with disabilities and/or substance use issues. Suggestions for future study include sampling larger populations on a randomized basis to ensure that the results found here …


Research Brief: "Cost-Effectiveness Of Supported Employment For Veterans With Spinal Cord Injuries", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Oct 2014

Research Brief: "Cost-Effectiveness Of Supported Employment For Veterans With Spinal Cord Injuries", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study focuses on individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) and their employment challenges. Clinical trials on supported employment (SE) intervention have established that SE is at least two times more effective in gaining competitive employment, and the cost of Spinal Cord Injury Vocational Integration Program (SCI-VIP) intervention at the one-year mark was not significantly different from the usual employment assistance offered to veterans with SCI. In practice, Veterans with SCI looking for employment should participate in SE interventions offered through the VA or other organizations, and Veterans with SCI who are seeking employment should know that there are …


Research Brief: "The Evaluation Of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction For Veterans With Mental Health Conditions", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jul 2014

Research Brief: "The Evaluation Of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction For Veterans With Mental Health Conditions", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the usage of mindfulness-based stress reduction for the psychological well-being of veterans with mental health conditions. In policy and practice, mindfulness-based stress reduction instructors should be certified in the processes of mindfulness, and professionals should create a standardized mindfulness-based stress reduction treatment manual; the VHA could include mindfulness-based stress reduction treatments into current treatment plans and could commission studies about if they are more cost-effective than pharmacologic treatments. Suggestions for future research include conducting individual interviews in addition to group interviews, and assessing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction on PTSD outcomes.


Research Brief: "Investing In Vets: Strategies To Help Returning Gulf War Vets Enter The Civilian Work Force Successfully", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Oct 2013

Research Brief: "Investing In Vets: Strategies To Help Returning Gulf War Vets Enter The Civilian Work Force Successfully", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study found that corporate leadership, veteran-specific training, and a long-term commitment to veterans’ employment were all significant factors in diminishing barriers to veteran employment and reintegration. In practice, social workers who understand business and organizational change can be leaders in supporting veterans in the workplace, and also in advocating for positive social change for veterans and their families. For employers, increased cultural competence concerning military populations would be helpful. In policy, organizations should work on creating coalitions of corporate leaders who have the power to change policies, programs, and practices, and who will monitor the success of these policy …


Research Brief: "Substance Use Among Military-Connected Youth: The California Healthy Kids Survey", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Sep 2013

Research Brief: "Substance Use Among Military-Connected Youth: The California Healthy Kids Survey", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research studies the correlation between youth with deployed family members in their lifetime and recent substance use in youth, and found substance use positively correlated with the number of family member deployments. Implications of these findings suggest that monitoring behavior could potentially lead to providing the emotional support necessary to prevent adolescents from turning to substance use, and policy should reflect this by implementing emotional support programs for adolescents with deployed family members. Future research in this area should investigate alternative coping mechanisms for youth dealing with the deployment of a family member, as well as the efficacy of …


Research Brief: "Predictors Of Psychiatric Disorders In Combat Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Aug 2013

Research Brief: "Predictors Of Psychiatric Disorders In Combat Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the predictors of mental health diagnoses within a sample of Marines who experienced combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. In policy and practice, support networks should be implemented for servicemembers to share with their peers, clinicians should give female servicemembers and others who have a higher likelihood of developing a mental health disorder after combat information on how to prevent certain psychiatric disorders, and families should know the signs of psychiatric disorders to help servicemembers in their re-adjustment period after deployment. Military branches and policymakers could improve counseling for servicemembers returning from combat and encourage servicemembers to …


Research Brief: "Employment Status Of Veterans Receiving Substance Abuse Treatment From The U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jul 2013

Research Brief: "Employment Status Of Veterans Receiving Substance Abuse Treatment From The U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study investigates how the severity of PTSD symptoms relates to employment and earnings, it found that Veterans with more severe symptoms of PTSD, were more likely to work part-time or not at all rather than have full time work. In practice, treating PTSD, even if some symptoms remain, could result in better employment outcomes for veterans. In policy, Policy makers should consider providing previously successful programs for veterans with PTSD for individuals with other mental health conditions. Suggestions for future research include A large, controlled, longitudinal survey would allow researchers to investigate more thoroughly how PTSD symptoms relate to …


Research Brief: "Supporting The Education Goals Of Post-9/11 Veterans With Self-Reported Ptsd Symptoms: A Needs Assessment", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jun 2013

Research Brief: "Supporting The Education Goals Of Post-9/11 Veterans With Self-Reported Ptsd Symptoms: A Needs Assessment", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research undertook a needs assessment for educational support among post-9/11 service veterans with self-reported PTSD symptoms, and found a need for age relevant services that assist with: education planning and access, counseling for the G.I. Bill, accommodations for PTSD symptoms, and more. Administrators should work to ensure that educational services are customized to meet individual needs of student veterans, as well as policies that ensure veterans have access to peer mentors in their age group. This can provide social opportunities and support from veterans who have successfully transitioned from active duty to civilian life. Future research should include more …


Research Brief: "A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Supported Employment Among Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Apr 2013

Research Brief: "A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Supported Employment Among Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief focuses on some analyses of veterans with PTSD concerning supported employment programs, the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program, and the evidence-based IPS program. This study's results showed IPS programs to be almost three times more effective than the traditional VRP, and they have a significant impact on employment outcomes for veterans with mental health diagnoses. Suggestions for future research include using a diverse, national sample of veterans to examine the success of the VRP program with different criteria.


Research Brief: "Web-Based Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Education For Military Family Members", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Sep 2012

Research Brief: "Web-Based Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Education For Military Family Members", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In this study, researchers introduced an educational website to assess and improve knowledge of PTSD, and also help to engage family members in positive actions to assist service members struggling with PTSD. Web-based content can serve as a valuable method of providing care and information to military service members without the risk of being stigmatized; therefore, policy makers should focus on creating and maintaining structural and financial support for programs that provide military service members, and their families, tools to manage post-deployment issues. Future studies should focus on providing an increased range of services for military families using the educational …


Research Brief: "Effective Vocational Rehabilitation Services For Military Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Sep 2012

Research Brief: "Effective Vocational Rehabilitation Services For Military Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In this study, researchers found that veterans with college training were more likely to become employed when they also received job search assistance and job placement assistance, as well as that veterans without such training increased their probability of employment after receiving diagnoses and treatment of impairments, VR counseling, job placement assistance, rehabilitation technology, and other supports. In practice, the results of this study provide important information for rehabilitation counselors, vocational counselors, and other practitioners working with veterans with disabilities. In policy, policymakers should work to support and expand state VR programs to reach a wider population of veterans. Suggestions …


Research Brief: "Civilian Employment Among Recently Returning Afghanistan And Iraq National Guard Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jul 2012

Research Brief: "Civilian Employment Among Recently Returning Afghanistan And Iraq National Guard Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief shows the impact of OIF and OEF National Guard and Reserve veterans' mental health problems on their likelihood of employment. This study, unusually, found that less than half of the surveyed National Guard and Reserve service members had obtained employment by 45-60 days post-mobilization, despite their possible mental health problems. Suggestions for future research include gathering information from all potential survey participants, as well as service members entering the civilian workforce, beyond the first 45-60 days post-deactivation, rather than within this period.


Research Brief: "Work-Related Quality Of Life And Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Female Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jul 2012

Research Brief: "Work-Related Quality Of Life And Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Female Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study focuses on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among female veterans, and found that about 10.2% of female veterans using the VA in 2009 had a diagnosis of PTSD, compared to 7.8% of their male counterparts. In practice, occupational program facilitators and health professionals should focus on creating interventions that target the needs of veterans with multiple diagnoses. For policy, policymakers should also focus on initiatives that serve both female veterans with multiple diagnoses and health professionals providing care to these veterans. Suggestions for future study include having large samples of female veterans and performing gender comparisons in data analysis, …


Research Brief: "Psychiatric Status And Work Performance Of Veterans Of Operations Enduring Freedom And Iraqi Freedom", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jun 2012

Research Brief: "Psychiatric Status And Work Performance Of Veterans Of Operations Enduring Freedom And Iraqi Freedom", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study examines the relationship between psychiatric status and work impairment among OEF/OIF veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. In practice, mental health services are a high priority for the Veterans Administration, which is now focused on integrating behavioral health services into primary care so OEF/OIF veterans face fewer obstacles in obtaining and sustaining psychiatric care. In policy, policymakers should integrate veterans’ health programs with systematic assessment functioning, and develop treatment geared towards addressing impaired job performance. Suggestions for future study include focusing on whether workers with depression and other psychiatric conditions participate fully in the labor market and function effectively …


Research Brief: "Employment Outcomes And Ptsd Symptom Severity", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jun 2012

Research Brief: "Employment Outcomes And Ptsd Symptom Severity", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study investigates how the severity of PTSD symptoms relates to employment and earnings. It found that veterans with more severe symptoms of PTSD were more likely to work part-time or not at all rather than have full-time work. In practice, treating PTSD, even if some symptoms remain, could result in better employment outcomes for veterans. In policy, policymakers should consider providing previously successful programs focused on veterans with PTSD for individuals with other mental health conditions. Suggestions for future research include a large, controlled, longitudinal survey that would allow researchers to investigate more thoroughly how PTSD symptoms relate to …