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Learning From Women Veterans Who Navigate Invisible Injuries, Caregiving, And Reintegration Challenges, Nicholas A. Rattray, Diana Natividad, Katrina Spontak, Marina Kukla, Ai Nghia L. Do, Leah Danson, Richard M. Frankel, Gala True

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: As women comprise a greater proportion of military service members, there is growing recognition of how their experiences in the early phase of military to civilian transitions have an important influence on their health and reintegration outcomes. Qualitative accounts of women veterans can inform programs that support transitioning service members. Objectives: We examined narratives of civilian reintegration among women veterans to understand their experiences of adjusting to community life while coping with mental health challenges. Methods/Participants: We interviewed 16 post-911 era women who were within 5 years of separating from military service and developed a case study based on …

Veterans In Nevada, 2021, Nicole Diaz Del Valle, Annie Vong, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Demography

This fact sheet examines data on veterans in Nevada in 2021. The original data source, the U.S. Census Bureau’s, “2021 American Community Survey One-Year Estimates” includes data on veterans for all 50 states.

Umaine Office For Diversity And Inclusion_Happy Veterans Week! Email, University Of Maine Office For Diversity And Inclusion

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Email from the UMaine Office for Diversity and Inclusion with various details of the Office's work and details of Veterans Week events at the University of Maine.

Latino Veterans In Massachusetts, Phillip Granberry, Vishakha Agarwal

Gastón Institute Publications

Among the many types of services that promote the country’s general welfare, military service is among the most noble. People in the military are keenly aware that their service can place their lives at risk so that others keep their economic, political, and social wellbeing. In addition, those with families are aware that hazardous duty pay for deployment in a war zone in no way compensates for the stress placed on their families. This report estimates that 10,674 Latino veterans live in Massachusetts and provides a descriptive comparison to both non-Latino veterans and non-veteran Latinos. These veterans are 1.2% of …

Equine Assisted Therapy For Veterans, Nicole M. Krum

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Equine-assisted activities and therapy have been proven to be highly effective in assisting veterans with mental health conditions. This project aimed to provide information and resources about these services to Treasure Valley veterans. In order to do this, an in-person open-house was hosted, to connect veterans to equine therapy. By completing this project, it can be asserted that there is a general lack of accessible and affordable services.

New York's 9/11-Era Veterans: A Quantitative Study By Sex, Race, And Ethnicity 2007-2017, Lawrence Cappello

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Introduction:

This study examines key socioeconomic and demographic trends among non-active duty veterans in the New York metropolitan area who served in the U.S. armed forces during the post-9/11 era. To achieve a richer understanding of the conditions former servicemen and servicewomen face as they transition into civilian life, this report looks at topics such as sex, race/ethnicity, age, employment status, income, poverty rates, and educational attainment between 2007 and 2017.

Methods:

This report uses the American Community Survey PUMS (Public Use Microdata Series) data for all years released by the Census Bureau and reorganized for public use by the …

Covid-19 Is A Major Risk To New York State’S Older Veterans, Mariah Brennan Nanni, Mary Helander

Population Health Research Brief Series

The older adult veteran population is at high risk of contracting COVID-19. New York State’s veterans are concentrated in geographic areas with rapidly increasing COVID-19 case counts. As the virus continues to spread, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) must prepare to provide coronavirus treatments to older adult veterans in NYS.

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.

We Have A Sacred Duty To House All Homeless Veterans, Christopher R. Fee, Joshua L. Stewart

English Faculty Publications

In a letter to Congress urging the nation to pay what it owed to veterans of the Continental Army, George Washington voiced his firm conviction that we as honorable Americans would “never leave unpaid the debt of gratitude” to those brave souls who “rescued by their arms from impending ruin” the fledgling United States. (excerpt)

Research Brief: "Physical Activity, Suicide Risk Factors, And Suicidal Ideation In A Veteran Sample", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the effect of physical activity on level of suicidal risk and ideation in veterans. In policy and practice, veterans should continue to exercise, either individually or in groups, and physicians should assist veterans with disabilities in finding adaptive exercises and sports; the DoD and VA should create health transition plans to help service members transition back into civilian life. Suggestions for future research include collecting data through interviews and including more veterans with disabilities in the study.

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: "Impact Of Military Trauma Exposures On Post-Traumatic Stress And Depression In Female Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the relation between combat stressors, depression, and PTSD among female veterans. In policy and practice, health providers should refer female veterans to services if they have experienced military sexual trauma; the DoD and VA should conduct analysis on the experiences of service and veteran women, and how they can best support service women who experienced military sexual trauma. Suggestions for future research include using an expanded sample and more sampling strategies, as well as use clinical interviews to collect data.

How Are 9/11-Era Veterans Faring In The Modern Economy? A Quantitative Study By Sex, Race, And Ethnicity 2005-2015, Cappello Lawrence

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Introduction:

This study examines key socio-economic and demographic trends among non-active duty American veterans who served in the armed forces during the post-9/11 era. It focuses on nationwide developments between 2005 and 2015. To achieve a richer understanding of the conditions facing former servicemen and servicewomen as they transition into civilian life, this examination moves beyond general population demographics by looking at topics such as sex, race/ethnicity, age, employment, income, poverty rates, and educational attainment.

Methods:

This report uses the American Community Survey PUMS (Public Use Microdata Series) data for all years released by the Census Bureau and reorganized for …

Revealing Grace: The Lived Experiences Of America's Post-9/11 Military Caregivers, Jennifer J. Hunter

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This research focused on the lived experiences of fourteen military caregiving wives whose husbands were wounded, ill, or injured in a post-9/11 combat theater of war. All wives in this study had been vetted by and appointed to the Elizabeth Dole Military Caregiving Fellows Program and were either actively involved in the Fellowship or had become recent alumni of the two-year commitment at the time of this study. The purpose of this study was to provide a platform for their voices, understand their hopes, struggles, successes, and failures, and to give honor to their stories of military caregiving through the …

Research Brief: "Prevalence Of Intimate Partner Violence Among Women Veterans Who Utilize Veterans Health Administration Primary Care", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the rate at which female veterans utilizing VHA primary care experience intimate partner violence, as well as the risk factors for intimate partner violence. In policy and practice, health practitioners should check for signs of intimate partner violence among female veterans and should inform veterans of services and programs for individuals affected by it; family members should be supportive of female veterans who experience intimate partner violence. The VA could offer more mental health services and the DoD could offer employment programs to help female veterans. Suggestions for future research include studying how female veterans who …

Research Brief: "Changes In Overall And Firearm Veteran Suicide Rates By Gender, 2001-2010", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about suicide rates and trends among female and male veterans. In policy and practice, veterans who have thoughts about suicide should contact services such as suicide hotlines, medical providers should assess veterans for suicidal risk, and the VHA should continue its impactful suicide prevention program. Suggestions for future research include studies to understand the trend of firearm suicides among female veterans and a study to provide more generalizable results.

Research Brief: "Military Sexual Trauma Among Recent Veterans: Correlates Of Sexual Assault And Sexual Harassment", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study examines the population prevalence of military sexual trauma among OEF/OIF-era veterans. It found that almost 41% of women and 4% of men reported a military sexual trauma, indicating a high prevalence of OEF/OIF-era veterans who have experienced an MST. In practice, servicemembers and veterans who have experienced a military sexual trauma (MST) should seek medical help, such as counseling. In policy, the Department of Defense (DoD) might continue its efforts to reduce negative repercussions often associated with reporting sexual assault or sexual harassment. Suggestions for future research include having more data on the prevalence of MST in the …

Research Brief: "Women Military Veterans, Disability, And Employment", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study compares the disability status of female veterans to non-veterans and male veterans using American Community Survey data pooled from 2008, 2009, and 2010. In practice, both female and male veterans who have a service-related disability and are involved in the civilian labor force should familiarize themselves with their employment rights under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). In policy, the Department of Labor (DOL) might continue enforcing federal laws to protect veterans with service-related disabilities and help them gain employment in the civilian workforce. The VA and the DOL might also partner to assist female veterans in obtaining …

Research Brief: "Three Generations, Three Wars: African American Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study addresses the gap in literature on the African American perspective of veteran's experiences during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Research found that the interviewed men reported racist experiences, and also found they perceived service to the country aided their growth as men and as activists. Although African American service members were essential to the U.S. war effort, official accounts of their service are often excluded or misreported, and would benefit from policymakers using the narrative experiences of veterans to continue to introduce policies and programs that encourage diversity. Researchers are encouraged to continue …

Research Brief: "Out From The Shadows: Female Student Veterans And Help-Seeking", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study explored what happened when female veterans brought three military-cultural contexts (responsibility, worth, and pride) into their transition to civilian life and help-seeking attitudes in college. In practice, student veterans exhibiting components of military culture should use these military cultural components to their benefit, and student veterans struggling to adjust to the type of thinking often required of college students should feel comfortable seeking support at their university student veteran center. In policy, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) might continue offering their campus toolkit, which has been found to be a great resource for many IHEs, offering them …

Opinion: Housing Our Homeless Vets Is A Duty We’Ll Always Owe, Christopher R. Fee, Joshua L. Stewart

English Faculty Publications

As we celebrate Veterans Day across America, we are reminded of President Abraham Lincoln’s powerful admonition in the Gettysburg Address regarding what we owe to those who have sacrificed and given of themselves in the defense of the common good. [excerpt]

The Perennial Purple Heart, Anonymous

SURGE

Let’s talk about Veterans’ sacrifices. I must admit that I didn’t know much myself about veterans until one of my siblings entered the Navy. I’m very proud of his service, sacrifice, and dedication to protecting the United States. It’s probably not a common thought to all of us, but I think often of what it is like to be away during wartime serving our country. Military folks sacrifice a ton – whether it be lower pay, moving around a lot, being away from family for a long time, going into risky military operations, etc. These men and women sacrifice comparatively …

Research Brief: "Economic Well-Being Among Older-Adult Households: Variation By Veteran And Disability Status", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the impact of veteran and disability statuses on poverty and material hardship among elderly veterans. In policy and practice, veterans should use support services, such as the VA and local veterans groups, and social workers should take into account veteran and disability statuses when determining needs; the VA could change their income support programs to help disabled veterans. Suggestions for future research include accounting for individual differences among households and looking at how elderly veteran poverty affects family members.

Research Brief: "Prevalence Of Suicidality Among Hispanic And African American Veterans Following Surgery", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the likelihood of suicidal behavior and ideation among African Americans and Hispanic Americans after surgery. In policy and practice, pain medications should be prescribed after major surgery, health professionals should evaluate for both physical and psychological suffering several months after surgery, and also provide more services to the patient if necessary; the VHA should expand its suicide prevention program and tailor interventions toward cultural subgroups. Suggestions for future research include looking at prescriber and patient characteristics when prescribing pain medication, looking at the differences in post-surgery coping by race, and relying on data from veterans about …

Research Brief: "Bringing The State Back In To Civic Engagement: Policy Feedback Effects Of The G.I. Bill For World War Ii Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study examines World War II veterans, as the implications for civic engagement and the theoretical framework are still applicable to post 9/11 veterans, and found that fifty-one percent of all World War II returning veterans took advantage of the G.I. Bill of 1944. In practice, public service programs for veterans should continue encouraging their veterans to be civically engaged, and student veterans should continue frequenting campus veteran’s centers and services. In policy, the VA and legislatures have made significant improvements to reduce the paperwork involved with accessing one’s G.I. Bill benefits. Suggestions for future study include continuing to study …

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: "Coping, Family Social Support, And Psychological Symptoms Among Student Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study is about coping styles among student veterans and what is related to various coping styles. For policy and practice, universities should understand veterans' stigmatization of mental health services and should improve cultural competence; the Department of Veterans Affairs should work with universities to ensure student veteran success. Suggestions for future research include using a larger, more representative sample and looking at the effects of actual versus perceived social support.

Research Brief: "Post-Sexual Assault Health Care Utilization Among Oef/Oif Servicewomen", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the use of medical and mental health services by servicewomen after sexual assault that occurred while in the military. In policy and practice, servicewomen who have been sexually assaulted should seek medical and mental healthcare in a timely manner, even if they don't believe it is necessary, to prevent HIV infection and pregnancy; the DoD should continue its use of the DoJ's gold standard of care while ensuring that servicewomen feel that they can reach out for post-assault healthcare. Suggestions for future research include sampling more servicewomen who utilize care, expanding the geographic spread of the …

Research Brief: "Disparities In The Consequences Of Sarcopenia: Implications For African American Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief shows why more research should be done on African American veterans who have sarcopenia. In policy and practice, African American veterans should tell their healthcare providers about their geriatric medical needs, and health professionals should inform their veteran patients about how to avoid muscle wasting that can lead to sarcopenia; the VA should provide criteria for diagnosing sarcopenia among aging veterans. Suggestions for future research include analysis of the relation between myosteatosis and diabetes, as well as focusing on understanding the effects of sarcopenia on African American veterans.

Research Brief: "The Effects Of Race And Other Socioeconomic Factors On Health Service Use Among American Military Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the existence of racial disparities in service utilization among VA and non-VA health care systems. In policy and practice, rural healthcare practitioners should perform outreach to rural veterans, such as hosting clinics, and social service workers should determine the needs of their local veteran population by working with VA and non-VA healthcare providers and veteran service organizations; the VA can remove barriers to care for all veterans and coordinate with rural healthcare providers to ensure veterans can access affordable healthcare. Suggestions for future research include using more current survey data and analyzing the healthcare access experiences …