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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Research Brief: "Women Service Members And Veterans Returning To Colleges And Universities: An Exploratory Analysis", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Dec 2013

Research Brief: "Women Service Members And Veterans Returning To Colleges And Universities: An Exploratory Analysis", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief summarizes a scholarly article of the same name. It reviews research which analyzes the impact of being a transitioning woman veteran entering the student veteran sphere.


Research Brief: "Military Children And Families: Strengths And Challenges During Peace And War", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Dec 2013

Research Brief: "Military Children And Families: Strengths And Challenges During Peace And War", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research describes the positive and negative affects of deployment on military families, such as resilience and depression respectively. The data shows that when military families establish strong and supportive relationships, they display more resiliency and tend to be active, optimistic, and self-reliant. These families would benefit from programs that focus on social stability and reducing the stigma associated with mental health care. Future research should focus on identifying the specific strengths and assets that help military children function well during a deployment, as well as studying these effects after deployment.


Research Brief: "Soldiers To Citizens: The Link Between Military Service And Volunteering", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Nov 2013

Research Brief: "Soldiers To Citizens: The Link Between Military Service And Volunteering", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research examines the relationship between military service and political engagement, such as voting and volunteering. This study found that older and married veterans were more likely to volunteer than their younger and unmarried counterparts, and therefore veterans who are suffering from depression or loss of purpose might benefit from programs that encourage volunteering. Future research should further investigate the links between individual socioeconomic characteristics, family, social support, and engagement in volunteer work.


Research Brief: "Beyond Yellow Ribbons: Are Employers Prepared To Hire, Accommodate, And Retain Returning Veterans With Disabilities?", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Nov 2013

Research Brief: "Beyond Yellow Ribbons: Are Employers Prepared To Hire, Accommodate, And Retain Returning Veterans With Disabilities?", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief focuses on analyses on employers' policies and accommodations for hiring veterans with disabilities, and the effect on recruiting rates for these veterans. In practice, veterans with disabilities can increase their chances of finding suitable employment by consulting supporting agencies such as the VetSuccess Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Wounded Warriors program. Suggestions for future study include everyday work life, as well as utilizing mixed methods to further examine the relationship between implementation and impact of diversity plans and accommodation practices.


Research Brief: "Peer Mentoring And Financial Incentives To Improve Glucose Control In African American Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Nov 2013

Research Brief: "Peer Mentoring And Financial Incentives To Improve Glucose Control In African American Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about whether peer mentoring and financial incentives given to African American veterans with diabetes improves their glucose levels. In policy and practice, African American veterans should join peer mentoring programs to help them control their diabetes and consult with their physician about peer mentoring; the VHA should create a peer mentoring program for veterans with diabetes to help with diabetes management. Suggestions for future research include using a larger, more diverse sample, looking at how the peer mentoring helps veterans, and looking at the ways in which veterans lowered their glucose levels in addition to taking part …


Research Brief: "Combat-Related Parental Deployment: Identifying The Impact On Families With Preschool-Age Children", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Nov 2013

Research Brief: "Combat-Related Parental Deployment: Identifying The Impact On Families With Preschool-Age Children", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief summarizes a qualitative study on how combat-related parental deployments affect preschool-aged children.


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: "Student Veterans In Transition: Re-Enrolling After War Zone Deployments", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Oct 2013

Research Brief: "Student Veterans In Transition: Re-Enrolling After War Zone Deployments", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study examines the individual-level transitions encountered by student veterans (National Guard and Reserve members) as they re-enroll in college post-deployment, while also attempting to account for the complexities of student and veteran identities. In practice, service members who are re-enrolling in college at the undergraduate level should seek out support groups for student veterans, and most universities have focused attention on ensuring that veterans understand their available benefits, which is a significant step forward; however, universities should also implement support services for veterans in the form of student veteran organizations and support groups. Suggestions for future study include having …


Research Brief: "Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans’ Experiences Living With Their Parents After Separation From The Military", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Sep 2013

Research Brief: "Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans’ Experiences Living With Their Parents After Separation From The Military", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research examines the experiences of veterans who live with their parents after separation from the military and prepares parents and family to be more knowledgeable and meet the needs of returning veterans. It was found that veterans were better suited to life after military duty with proper emotional support from family, and that providing support and educations for families would aid this transition. In future research, an emphasis on studying a more diverse cohort of male and female veterans as well as their parents is beneficial.


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: "Cultural And Ethical Considerations When Working With Military Personnel And Veterans: A Primer For Va Training Programs", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Sep 2013

Research Brief: "Cultural And Ethical Considerations When Working With Military Personnel And Veterans: A Primer For Va Training Programs", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The study addresses the cultural differences when working with veteran populations compared to civilian populations, specifically regarding training people to work for VA programs. This is applicable to understanding military related cultural competence through mental health, history, terminology, and culture. Future research proposed includes exploring the benefits of cultural competence training.


Research Brief: "Prospectively Assessed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder And Associated Physical Activity", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Aug 2013

Research Brief: "Prospectively Assessed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder And Associated Physical Activity", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the connection between physical activity and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans. In policy and practice, service members who experienced combat should have high levels of physical activity in order to reduce the possibility of developing PTSD, clinicians should mention the importance of physical activity for mental health to service members, as well as recommend alternatives for veterans who are unable to do high levels of physical activity. The VA should implement and promote fitness programs for service members and veterans to lower the possibility of developing PTSD, and policymakers should fund physical activity programs …


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: "Patterns Of Multimorbidity In Elderly Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Aug 2013

Research Brief: "Patterns Of Multimorbidity In Elderly Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief summarizes a scholarly article of the same name. It reviews research which discusses strategies for managing the care of elderly veterans who have multimobirdity in clinical and primary care healthcare facilities.


Research Brief: "Managing Behavioral Health Needs Of Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury (Tbi) In Primary Care", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jul 2013

Research Brief: "Managing Behavioral Health Needs Of Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury (Tbi) In Primary Care", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief summarizes a scholarly article of the same name. It reviews research which evaluates how veterans with TBI might be cared for by primary care towards managing behavioral health needs.


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: "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: "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: "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: "Anxiety, Social Support, And Physical Health In A Sample Of Spouses Of Oef/Oif Service Members", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jun 2013

Research Brief: "Anxiety, Social Support, And Physical Health In A Sample Of Spouses Of Oef/Oif Service Members", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study focused on anxiety disorders in military spouses and their comorbidity with physical health, identifying the potential for such a comorbidity to worsen over time. The study suggests the importance of recognizing, identifying, and supporting these members of the community. The future research proposed includes objectively measuring this study's outcomes, examining ALL of the military branches, and ways of treating these situations of anxiety disorders.


Research Brief: “Homelessness And Trauma Go Hand-In-Hand: Pathways To Homelessness Among Women Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University May 2013

Research Brief: “Homelessness And Trauma Go Hand-In-Hand: Pathways To Homelessness Among Women Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief summarizes a grounded description on women's veterans experiences which can lead to pathways into experiencing homelessness.


Research Brief: "Evaluation Of A Family-Centered Prevention Intervention For Military Children And Families Facing Wartime Deployment", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University May 2013

Research Brief: "Evaluation Of A Family-Centered Prevention Intervention For Military Children And Families Facing Wartime Deployment", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits of the Families Over Coming Under Stress (FOCUS) project for families experiencing deployment. These benefits included education and skills training, with an emphasis on minimizing psychological and emotional distress for the service-people, their spouses, and their children. While this study analyzed families who were a part of the FOCUS group, future research would best serve to include an additional control group, which would allow for comparison between families in FOCUS and families not currently enrolled.


Research Brief: "Transitions In Dual Care For Veterans: Non-Federal Physician Perspectives", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University May 2013

Research Brief: "Transitions In Dual Care For Veterans: Non-Federal Physician Perspectives", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about non-federal physicians' perspectives on the organization and delivery of dual care for veterans. In policy and practice, patients should tell non-VHA physicians when VHA physicians change the patients' medications, and veterans should keep track of their health records, appointments, tests, treatments, and medications to support communication between dual care physicians; non-VHA and VHA physicians should improve communication between each other and adopt Electronic Medical Records. Suggestions for future research include improving survey response rates, using electronic surveys, carefully constructing the survey questions, and looking at the availability and compatibility of Electronic Medical Records between VHA and …


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: "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: "The Impact Of Veterans' Preference On The Composition And Quality Of The Federal Civil Service", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Apr 2013

Research Brief: "The Impact Of Veterans' Preference On The Composition And Quality Of The Federal Civil Service", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief summarizes a scholarly article of the same name. It reviews research which analyzes the impact of the federal government having a preference for veterans' within its ranks, and further examines the demographics of veterans who choose to have careers in federal civil service.


Research Brief: "Where Did You Serve? Veteran Identity, Representative Bureaucracy And Vocational Rehabilitation", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Apr 2013

Research Brief: "Where Did You Serve? Veteran Identity, Representative Bureaucracy And Vocational Rehabilitation", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study examines the link between veteran status of program counselors and veterans’ views of the VA vocational rehabilitation programs. Researchers interviewed 11 veteran rehabilitation counselors (VRCs), and examined a sample of veterans who had utilized veteran rehabilitation and employment services. In practice, Veterans appear to associate more positive attributes with veteran counselors, including more positive counselor behaviors and more satisfaction with the rehabilitation program overall. In policy, VA administrators may wish to observe common practices among vocational rehabilitation counselors to identify any systematic differences in behavior between these two populations. Suggestions for future study include going beyond investigating the …


Research Brief: "Battlefield Compassion And Post-Traumatic Growth In Combat Servicepersons", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Mar 2013

Research Brief: "Battlefield Compassion And Post-Traumatic Growth In Combat Servicepersons", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the compassionate acts that come out of post-traumatic growth among veterans after serving. For policy and practice, the research shows that military values, bonding experiences, and maturation through military service allows for positive personal growth and that the VA should provide programs for discussing this growth. Suggestions for future research include taking into account variations in specific experiences when analyzing post-traumatic growth and including a representative random sample.