Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Combating Social Isolation And Loneliness Among Veterans After Separation From Military Service, Emily Graham

Population Health Research Brief Series

Half of U.S. veterans report feeling like they don’t belong in society after separation from military service. Lack of belonging is often associated with feeling socially isolated or lonely. These feelings may increase the risk of veterans experiencing poor mental and physical health outcomes. This brief explores the negative impacts of social isolation and loneliness on veteran health and wellbeing. It calls for expanded veterans programing that connects veterans to each other while mimicking the values veterans miss about military life, including camaraderie, identity, purpose, physical activity, and learning.

Correlation Of Psychospiritual Factors And Suicide In The Military, Michael Odinaka Ugbor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military is a profession that requires stable mental state as a prerequisite for active military life. However, suicide rate among active members and veterans has significantly increased despite traditional measures such as psychotherapies, medications and government sponsored incentives. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the correlation of psychospiritual factors (spiritual, religious factors and psychological beliefs) and suicide risks among military members. Participants were 18 years or older and members of the United States military base stationed in Kentucky. Data collection involved the used a paper-based survey to measure spiritual and religious affiliations and activities, church attendance, prayer …

U.S. Army Physician Assistant Retention: A Latent Class Analysis, Robert Greener

Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Retaining employees is crucial to the success of organizations. While significant effort has been made to model employee retention, models have been unable to significantly predict retention. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was to develop an improved employee retention model which could be used as a practical guide to improve employee retention. Materials and Methods: The study analyzed a survey created, implemented, and collected by the Statistical Cell at the U.S. Army Center of Excellence. In September of 2020, all 864 active-duty PAs were sent a link to the survey and 290 completed the survey, …

The Purple Heart And Suicidal Behaviors In Post-9/11 U.S. Army Combat Veterans With A Traumatic Brain Injury: A Mixed Methods Study, Jayna Moceri-Brooks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Military suicide rates remain high, despite years of targeted efforts to prevent suicide. Specifically, Army Combat Veterans who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) while deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism are at the highest risk for suicide. This dissertation highlights possible causes for suicidal behaviors within this unique group and provides specific military suicide prevention recommendations. The dissertation is organized into three publishable manuscripts: The first manuscript (Chapter 1) is a mixed-methods dissertation research proposal written according to the National Institute of Health proposal guidelines. The second manuscript (Chapter 2) is an integrative review of the …

Counseling Active-Duty Female Service Members Who Have Experienced Sexual Assault: A Guide For Professional Counselors, Rebekah Cole, Rebecca Cowan, Taqueena Quintana

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Sexual assault is a prevailing problem for active duty women in the United States military. We explore the unique nature of military culture and explain the military’s dual pathway process for reporting sexual assault. In addition, we describe, in depth, evidence-based theoretical approaches applicable for counselors to use in their work with female service members who are survivors of sexual assault. Finally, we discuss sexual assault resources available to military clients and the steps counselors can take to engage in advocacy for and with this population.

Prevalence And Correlates Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (Ptsd) Among The Military In A Low-Income Country, Shehu Usman Ibrahim, Mukadas Oyeniran Akindele, Ushotanefe Useh

Journal of Health Research

Background: This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its risks among the military in a low-income country.

Method: All participants answered self-administered questionnaires that measured PTSD, combat exposure, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), perceived social support, and depression in addition to a socio-demographic form in this cross-sectional study. Chi-square test of independence and Fisher exact test were employed to compute PTSD prevalence and its difference among the services. Correlation and binary logistic regression were used to explore relationships and the impact of the predictor variables on PTSD.

Results: PTSD prevalence among participants on routine military duties …

Resilience Is Low Among Both Military And Non-Military Populations With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Kelsey Roberts, Janet Wilmoth, Shannon M. Monnat

Population Health Research Brief Series

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects the lives of 12 million people in the United States. While commonly thought of in relation to military personnel and veterans, PTSD is also common among the general public. Resilience - the ability to cope with stressful events - is essential for recovering from PTSD. This data slice uses data from the National Wellbeing Survey to examine resilience among U.S. working-age adults with and without PTSD by their relationship to the military. Results show that those with PTSD have less resilience than those who have not experienced PTSD. In addition, those with military experience are …

Age-Dependent White Matter Disruptions After Military Traumatic Brain Injury: Multivariate Analysis Results From Enigma Brain Injury, Heather C. Bouchard, Delin Sun, Emily L. Dennis, Mary R. Newsome, Seth G. Disner, Jeremy Elman, Annelise Silva, Carmen Velez, Andrei Irimia, Nicholas D. Davenport, Scott R. Sponheim, Carol E. Franz, William S. Kremen, Michael J. Coleman, M. Wright Williams, Elbert Geuze, Inga K. Koerte, Martha E. Shenton, Maheen M. Adamson, Raul Coimbra, Gerald Grant, Lori Shutter, Mark S. George, Ross D. Zafonte, Thomas W. Mcallister, Murray B. Stein, Paul M. Thompson, Elisabeth A. Wilde, David F. Tate, Aristeidis Sotiras, Rajendra A. Morey

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty and Staff Publications

Mild Traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a signature wound in military personnel, and repetitive mTBI has been linked to age-related neurogenerative disorders that affect white matter (WM) in the brain. However, findings of injury to specific WM tracts have been variable and inconsistent. This may be due to the heterogeneity of mechanisms, etiology, and comorbid disorders related to mTBI. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) is a data-driven approach that detects covarying patterns (components) within high-dimensional data. We applied NMF to diffusion imaging data from military Veterans with and without a self-reported TBI history. NMF identified 12 independent components derived from fractional …

U.S. Army Medical Command’S Medical Treatment Facilities’ Response To Sars-Cov-2 (Covid-19), Seyedmohammad Ahmadshahi

All Theses

Starting in December 2019 to the current time in May 2022, COVID-19 was a devastating pandemic with approximately 440 million cases and 6 million deaths worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). The United States (US) with roughly 90 million cases and 1 million deaths (CDC, 2021) was one of the epicenters of the outbreak since the beginning. The pandemic has significantly impacted the health systems across the US with unpredictable surges of highly infectious patients with uncertain symptomology and acuity levels, requiring isolation and critical level of care (Brambilla et al., 2021).

Based on the findings from …

Injuries And Factors Determining Their Occurrence In Paratroopers Of Airborne Forces, Bartosz Trybulec, Edyta Majchrzak

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the type and incidence of injuries among airborne forces paratroopers, and also to analyze the factors that determine the probability of suffering injuries while parachuting. Material and methods: 165 soldiers in active service, from the 6th Airborne Brigade in Cracow, participated in the study. The survey was carried out via the author’s questionnaire. Results: 32.72% of the examined soldiers were injured during the parachute jump. Crude injury incidence was calculated as 27.86/10,000 jumps. In terms of types of injuries, the frequency of their occurrence was as follows: sprains (34%), fractures (17%), …

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome And Female Military Recruits, Rachael Pulsone, Christian Williams

Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies Department Faculty Works

Upon entering the military recruits are challenged physically, this is exceptionally difficult for women as their anatomy predisposes them to more impact injuries than men. Female military recruits are placed at a higher risk for shin splints, a repetition injury known in the medical field as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). This review paper explores studies about MTSS, its prevalence, and expression in military recruits, particularly as its expression differs across gender. This paper will cover how the external environment of boot camp results in a higher prevalence of MTSS than the general population and how increased occurrence of MTSS …

Impact Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy On Military Suicide Rates, Madison Lett, Jamia Bird

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Suicide has been labeled a serious public health dilemma in the United States. Military personnel have suicide rates greater than non-military individuals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been used as a means to help military personnel to overcome suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on military patients’ mental health and how it affects the rate of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and deaths by suicide in military patients.

Methodology: This study utilized a literature review and a semi-structured interview with a Veteran Affairs social worker. …

Effective Management Of Diabetes Mellitus Type Ii In A Military Treatment Facility, Jozy Merizier Smarth

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, 34 million people have diabetes and 79 million have prediabetes. Currently, one in nine Americans are diagnosed with diabetes and it is projected that one in five will have diabetes by 2025 and one in three by 2050. The practice-focused question answered by this project addressed the question if implementing a staff education program improved staff’s knowledge about self-management education and intent for providers and staff to promote a formal diabetes self-management education (DSME) program in an overseas military treatment facility. The site has 47% of empaneled beneficiaries with diabetes mellitus Type II with an elevated …

Services For Homeless Veterans: A Study Of Access To Benefits, Sheryl Maddox Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractHomelessness among veterans in the United States is a multifaceted social and health concern that has continued to increase despite immense efforts to minimize and eliminate this issue. Numerous organizations have dedicated resources; however, many veterans do not use benefits and resources that are available to them, and homelessness remains a health and social concern. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe how individual and interpersonal barriers, community factors, organizational structure, and existing policies for assistance are perceived by support staff that work with veterans with mental disorders who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. …

Combating The Challenge Of Maintaining Active-Duty Military Medical Force Readiness, Thomas Jones

Master of Science in Nursing Theses and Projects

The United States of America’s military involvement in conflict is at one of its lowest points in over 2 decades. This presents a challenge for members of the military medical force to maintain the medical readiness skills they are expected to be proficient at in a moment’s notice to care for casualties in the nation’s next crisis or conflict. In addition to other pre-established methods, this project seeks to provide a unit-level training opportunity for Air Force active-duty medical members such as those in the United States Indo-Pacific region to practice certain medical readiness skills while continuing their steady-state daily …

Loneliness As A Treatment Focus For Suicide Prevention In Airmen Who Seek Mental Health Care, Jovanna O. Gaines

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Department of Defense is challenged to decrease rising suicide rates in all branches of military service. Studies have consistently shown interpersonal risk factors versus intrapsychic factors as strong indicators of suicide risk, yet the practice has not focused on loneliness as a treatment focus for increased risk. This study explored clinical social workers’ view of loneliness as experienced in patients who are active-duty airmen to identify prevention, coping, and treatment strategies for managing suicides. The methodology involved a semistructured interview of 10 active duty licensed clinical social workers with greater than two years of experience working within a mental …