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Research Brief: "Mental Health Of Transgender Veterans Of The Iraq And Afghanistan Conflicts Who Experienced Military Sexual Trauma", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jun 2017

Research Brief: "Mental Health Of Transgender Veterans Of The Iraq And Afghanistan Conflicts Who Experienced Military Sexual Trauma", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the relationship between identifying as a transgender veteran, military sexual trauma, and mental health disorders. In policy and practice, transgender veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma should discuss the trauma history with a mental health provider, and health care providers should work with transgender veterans to connect them with proper counseling services. The DoD should work to reduce gender identity stigma within the military and the VA should research MST treatment effectiveness among transgender veterans. Suggestions for future research include using self-rated identity as a variable and determining more about the effectiveness of MST treatments …


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 Jun 2017

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.


Research Brief: "The National Veteran Sleep Disorder Study: Descriptive Epidemiology And Secular Trends, 2000–2010", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University May 2017

Research Brief: "The National Veteran Sleep Disorder Study: Descriptive Epidemiology And Secular Trends, 2000–2010", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the relation between sleep disorder diagnosis and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental health disorders among veterans. In policy and practice, physicians should familiarize themselves with signs of and screenings for sleep disorders and should discuss factors that affect sleep with their veteran patients; the VHA should continue recommending policies that help veterans receive a prompt diagnosis and treatment of their sleep disorders, policymakers should fund early intervention programs to help veterans learn how to cope with reintegration, and the VHA should create a database on sleep disorders in veterans. Suggestions for future research include studying veterans …


Research Brief: "Unmet Mental Healthcare Need And Suicidal Ideation Among U.S. Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Sep 2016

Research Brief: "Unmet Mental Healthcare Need And Suicidal Ideation Among U.S. Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the relationship between veterans' unfulfilled mental healthcare needs and suicidal ideation. In policy and practice, physicians should provide information to veterans about organizations and initiatives for assistance, and veterans' organizations should address socioeconomic needs, mental healthcare needs, and alcohol and substance use among the veteran population; policymakers should provide healthcare services for veterans to ensure that they receive mental healthcare when they need it. Suggestions for future research include reporting techniques besides self-reporting, incorporating veterans into the study who might have mental health concerns but are not clinically diagnosed, and looking at the impact of family …


Research Brief: "Access To Mental Health Care Among Women Veterans: Is Va Meeting Women’S Needs?", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Sep 2016

Research Brief: "Access To Mental Health Care Among Women Veterans: Is Va Meeting Women’S Needs?", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is a summary of access to mental health care among women veterans and gender related indicators of perceived access to mental health care.


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: "Impact Of Parents' Wartime Military Deployment And Injury On Young Children's Safety And Mental Health", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Nov 2015

Research Brief: "Impact Of Parents' Wartime Military Deployment And Injury On Young Children's Safety And Mental Health", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the relationship between the mental health of military children and parental deployment. In policy and practice, healthcare providers and teachers should understand the risks during the post-deployment period and the DoD should implement programs to help military families during the post-deployment period. Suggestions for future research include conducting a study over time on this topic, as well as expanding the sample to include longer and multiple deployments and various age groups of children within military families.


Research Brief: "Suicide Risk Among 1.3 Million Veterans Who Were On Active Duty During The Iraq And Afghanistan Wars", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Sep 2015

Research Brief: "Suicide Risk Among 1.3 Million Veterans Who Were On Active Duty During The Iraq And Afghanistan Wars", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about a comparison between the post-service suicide risk of recent wartime veterans versus the suicide risk of the general population in the US. In policy and practice, veterans at risk for suicide should seek counseling, counselors should be aware of military service-specific stressors, and family members should support veterans through readjustment periods; the DoD and VA should continue offering medical screening and counseling services to recent veterans and veterans who were deployed. Suggestions for future research include examining the reasons for lower rates of suicide within certain military branches, determining the reasons for an excess suicide rate …


Research Brief: "Coping, Family Social Support, And Psychological Symptoms Among Student Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jun 2015

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: "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: "Post-Sexual Assault Health Care Utilization Among Oef/Oif Servicewomen", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Apr 2015

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: "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: "The Impact Of Sport And Physical Activity On The Well-Being Of Combat Veterans: A Systematic Review", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University May 2014

Research Brief: "The Impact Of Sport And Physical Activity On The Well-Being Of Combat Veterans: A Systematic Review", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the influence that sports and exercise have on veterans' well-being and therapies that impact the well-being of combat veterans. In policy and practice, healthcare practitioners should prepare comprehensive treatment models that encompass physical activity and sports where appropriate, and support groups should encourage veterans to participate in competitive sports or other recreational activities; the DoD could expand programs to provide sports to more disabled combat veterans and the VA should re-evaluate its programs to ensure there are no barriers to participation. Suggestions for future research include studying the effects of sports and exercise on the well-being …


Research Brief: "Women At War: Understanding How Women Veterans Cope With Combat And Military Sexual Trauma", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University May 2014

Research Brief: "Women At War: Understanding How Women Veterans Cope With Combat And Military Sexual Trauma", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about stressors during military service that OEF/OIF female veterans experienced and how they coped with the stress. In policy and practice, female veterans should tell healthcare providers of their healthcare needs, and should form support groups with other veteran women; family members should support returning female service members; the VA should adapt its services to address the needs of female veterans, policymakers should allocate funding toward creating non-VA mental health and substance abuse counseling, and the VA should offer gender-specific mental health programs. Suggestions for future research include analyzing differences between age groups and length of time …


Research Brief: "Caregiving Experiences And Health Conditions Of Women Veteran And Non-Veteran Caregivers", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jan 2014

Research Brief: "Caregiving Experiences And Health Conditions Of Women Veteran And Non-Veteran Caregivers", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is a summary of women veteran caregivers experiencing health concerns, including sleeplessness, poor mental health, and some chronic conditions.


Research Brief: "Suicides In The Military: The Post-Modern Combat Veteran And The Hemingway Effect", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jan 2014

Research Brief: "Suicides In The Military: The Post-Modern Combat Veteran And The Hemingway Effect", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about current suicide prevention interventions within the military. In policy and practice, practitioners should monitor the wellness of aging veterans and ensure that a support system exists for their veteran patients, while veterans should participate in social events with other veterans; the VA and DoD should implement programs to ensure that veterans have feelings of belongingness and the VA should monitor veterans' well-being for 2-3 years after service during transitions. Suggestions for future research include examining the communities and veteran service organizations that produce the most useful support for veterans with mental health problems.


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: "Mental Health Diagnosis And Occupational Functioning In National Guard/Reserve Veterans Returning From Iraq", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Aug 2013

Research Brief: "Mental Health Diagnosis And Occupational Functioning In National Guard/Reserve Veterans Returning From Iraq", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the employment or enrollment in school of recently returned National Guard and Reserve OIF/OEF veterans who have a mental health diagnosis compared to those veterans without a mental health diagnosis. In policy and practice, the US military should implement pre- to post-deployment programs to help adjustment into work/school role functioning, and policymakers should partner with universities to help veterans cope with academic stress. Suggestions for future research include using a larger and more comprehensive sample of National Guard/Reserve OIF veterans and studying the effectiveness of programs and support for veterans.


Research Brief: "Prevalence Of Childhood Trauma Among U.S. Army Soldiers With Suicidal Behavior", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jul 2013

Research Brief: "Prevalence Of Childhood Trauma Among U.S. Army Soldiers With Suicidal Behavior", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the link between childhood trauma and servicemember suicide risk within the US Army. In policy and practice, communities should be willing to discuss abuse with servicemembers who experienced childhood trauma, healthcare providers should tell veterans and servicemembers about their treatment options, and family members should assist with the mental health treatment of veterans and servicemembers. Policymakers should create programs that encourage social networks and increase the number of veteran and military support groups. Suggestions for future research include using a different data source for the study, adding a control group, and broadening the sample of veterans …


Research Brief: "Weight Change Following U.S. Military Service", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jul 2013

Research Brief: "Weight Change Following U.S. Military Service", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about weight change among veterans before, during, and after discharge from the military. In policy and practice, physicians should discuss strategies to prevent unhealthy weight gain with veteran patients; the VA should better tailor its MOVE! weight management program to younger veterans. Suggestions for future research include looking at the reasons behind weight gain in discharged servicemembers, analyzing the strategies used by members of the Reserve/National Guard to limit weight gain, and using more samples of younger veterans to generalize results.


Research Brief: "Suicide Among Patients In The Veterans Affairs Health System: Rural-Urban Differences In Rates, Risks, And Methods", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jun 2013

Research Brief: "Suicide Among Patients In The Veterans Affairs Health System: Rural-Urban Differences In Rates, Risks, And Methods", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the differences between rural and urban veterans in risks and rates for suicide. In policy and practice, communities should implement support programs for rural veterans, and veteran families should educate themselves about the risk factors for suicide and support veterans in their families; policymakers should increase VA outreach programs in rural areas, as well as programs educating rural veterans about the importance of mental health treatment for those at risk for suicide. Suggestions for future research include looking at the impact of social context on suicide rates, determining the relationship between suicide risk for rural veterans …


Research Brief: "Partnering With Communities To Address The Mental Health Needs Of Rural Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University May 2013

Research Brief: "Partnering With Communities To Address The Mental Health Needs Of Rural Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research focuses on veterans in rural communities who have less access to mental health providers. The Yellow Ribbon Task Force program promoted and encouraged engagement in mental health care for veterans in rural communities, although future policies should enhance already existing clinical practices to increase standards for care. For further study, researchers should focus on evaluating initial program implementation and pilot testing in a variety of states and rural populations.


Research Brief: "Psychopathology, Iraq And Afghanistan Service, And Suicide Among Veterans Health Administration Patients", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Dec 2012

Research Brief: "Psychopathology, Iraq And Afghanistan Service, And Suicide Among Veterans Health Administration Patients", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the connections between being a OIF/OEF veteran who receives care from the VHA and suicide mortality. In policy and practice, mental health screenings for OIF/OEF veterans should be implemented in non-VHA healthcare settings and families of OIF/OEF veterans should encourage veterans to seek treatment if they exhibit signs of a mental health condition. The VHA should implement policies that promote its healthcare to veterans in order to decrease suicide risks among veterans and should also offer more mental health screenings for recently returned veterans. Suggestions for future research include looking at risks for suicide after traumatic …


Research Brief: "Impact Of The Seeking Safety Program On Clinical Outcomes Among Homeless Female Veterans With Psychiatric Disorders", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Oct 2012

Research Brief: "Impact Of The Seeking Safety Program On Clinical Outcomes Among Homeless Female Veterans With Psychiatric Disorders", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the effect of the Seeking Safety program's services on improvement in PTSD, psychiatric symptoms, and social support among homeless female veterans. In policy and practice, clinicians should be trained on how to use the program to better serve homeless female veterans, and policymakers should push for clinician training for those who work with homeless veterans. Suggestions for future research include applying this study and the Seeking Safety program to non-VA healthcare systems, assessing substance use within the program, and assessing the long-term effects of the Seeking Safety program.


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: "Combat Exposure And Mental Health: The Long-Term Effects Among Vietnam And Gulf War Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University May 2012

Research Brief: "Combat Exposure And Mental Health: The Long-Term Effects Among Vietnam And Gulf War Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about how combat exposure and exposure to dead, dying, and wounded people can predict decreases in mental health among Vietnam and Gulf War veterans. In practice and policy, the VA can better provide resources for veterans based on their combat exposure, and the VA should take into account varying combat experiences among veterans when providing mental health care. Suggestions for future research include using more precise measurements for combat exposure than the one used in this study.