Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The War At Home, Joseph A. Altobelli Mr.

Capstones

This site was made to show how the cuts to and politics behind the Veterans Affairs Hospital in New York affects the veterans it is set up to care for.

Student Service Members/Veterans Programs In Erie County Colleges And Universities: Analyzing Programs For Removing Barriers And Facilitating Identity Transitioning, William E. Langer

Public Administration Master’s Projects

Student Service Members/Veterans (SSM/Vs) served their nation in times of peace and in war and in doing so, are eligible for various educational benefits. To assist the SSM/V in adapting to their new role as a student and civilian, most postsecondary educational institutions offer services specifically tailored to the SSM/V population in order to support and assist them in completing their academic program. These services could include navigating benefit programs, financial aid, orientation programs and disability services as needed. In this transformative mixed methods study, a content analysis of the public websites of the schools was first conducted to determine …

Missing Perspectives: Servicemembers' Transition From Service To Civilian Life (Foreword And Key Highlights), J. Michael Haynie, Nicholas Armstrong

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This initial report, aptly titled Missing Perspectives, serves as the inaugural publication in what will be a continuing series of IVMF research papers and commentary, highlighting issues and opportunities related to veterans’ transition broadly, and higher education specifically.

Missing Perspectives: Servicemembers' Transition From Service To Civilian Life (Data Brief), Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief contains data concerning military servicemembers' transition to civilian life.

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: "Receipt Of Employment Services Among Veterans Health Administration Users With Psychiatric Diagnoses", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study found that about four percent (4.2%) of VHA users with psychiatric diagnoses accessed employment services in a given year. VHA patients with a psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia had higher odds of accessing employment services relative to VHA users with other psychiatric diagnoses, including PTSD, depression, and other anxiety disorders. In practice, veterans should be aware that receiving VHA employment services should not affect VA benefits and should discuss their medical and financial benefits with benefits advisors and other appropriate advisors. In policy, Policymakers could consider allocating funds to further study the efficacy and effectiveness of various employment services …

Research Brief: "Ptsd Treatment-Seeking Among Rural Latino Combat Veterans: A Review Of The Literature", 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 a literature review of research conducted among rural Latino Veterans and the incidence of PTSD among these veterans.

Fighting For A Job: The Reality Of Veteran Unemployment In Virginia, Christopher Flurry

Student Writing

Unemployment is a reality for many veterans, especially those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, due to a subpar military transition program, lack of effort by the veterans themselves, and the inability of businesses to recognize the value veterans may bring. According to the Pentagon (2015), the current veteran transition program fails on many fronts to equip veterans with the communication and networking skills required to find gainful employment. Additionally, Veterans Affairs statistics (2015) suggest that whether through a sense of entitlement or simply an inability to understand the complexity of the civilian labor market, are poorly positioned to compete …

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: "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 …

Military Misconduct And Homelessness Among Us Veterans Separated From Active Duty, 2001-2012, Adi V. Gundlapalli, Jamison D. Fargo, Stephen Metraux, Marjorie E. Carter, Matthew K. Samore, Vincent Kane, Dennis P. Culhane

Dennis P. Culhane

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 …

Generational Differences In The Public Sector Of Motivation And Learning, Cheryl A. Wailand

Public Administration Master’s Projects

This study examines the impact of generational differences in the workplace, with a focus on public employees in the Erie County Department of Social Services. The differing values and learning styles in the multi-generational workforce present challenges for public service managers as to how to effectively address these differences in the workplace. Previous studies indicate there are differences between the generations as to how they navigate in the workplace. The findings suggest that there are certain instances where the generational divide is clearer such as in the use of technology and communication styles such as texting and social media. A …

Research Brief: "Ptsd And Depression Symptoms Are Associated With Binge Eating Among Us Iraq And Afghanistan 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 assesses the prevalence of binge eating among US Veterans of OEF/OIF and how those symptoms are related to PTSD and depression.

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: "Alcohol Use And Craving Among Veterans With Mental Health Disorders And Mild Traumatic Brain Injury", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the relation between alcohol craving and mental health disorders among veterans, and how mental health disorders impact alcohol cravings. For policy and practices, the research shows that alcohol cravings and mental health disorders among veterans could be a sign for risk of alcohol use disorder. It also shows that the VA should assess veterans for alcohol use disorder, and also research more ties between mental health disorders and alcohol use. Suggestions for future research include conducting the study in a larger, more representative population, as well as involving families in measuring alcohol use/cravings to ensure less …

2nd Place Contest Entry: Treatment Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In A Veteran Population: Efficacy Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine Therapies, Brooke D. Snelgrove

Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize

This is Brooke Snelgrove's submission for the 2014-2015 Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize, which won second place. She wrote about the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans with Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies. You can read the final essay that came out of her research here.

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 …

2nd Place Research Paper: Treatment Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In A Veteran Population: Efficacy Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine Therapies, Brooke D. Snelgrove

Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize

It is estimated that a half million veterans from recent deployments in the Middle East conflicts and about 479,000 veterans deployed during the Vietnam War are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Current treatments are limited by a relatively high frequency of patients who do not continue with their therapy. With increased PTSD diagnosis and limited effectiveness of treatments, there is a growing need to research and develop new therapies to better assist affected service members. The present study assessed the clinical validity of Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies for the treatment of PTSD symptoms in a military population …

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 …

Research Brief: "Empty Promise: Black American Veterans And The New Gi Bill", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study found that despite the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 expanding educational benefits for military veterans who have served since September 11, 2001, African American veterans are utilizing GI benefits less than other ethnic groups. In practice, institutions of higher education (IHE) must recognize that veterans have acquired life skills that can be assessed and worthy of academic credit, and employers should seriously consider African American veterans as potential employees, regardless of whether they have competed a college degree. In policy, the DoD and the VA might partner together to better ensure that African American service members …

Research Brief: "Behavioral Health And Adjustment To College Life For Student Service Members/Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about how prior military experience impacts veterans' mental health during transitions into academic life as college students. For policy and practice, student service members and veterans should seek help from on-campus mental health resources when needed, and faculty and staff should offer dialogue to educate civilian students about student service members' and veterans' experiences during transition; the VA should partner in academic institutions' efforts to improve and/or maintain student service member/veteran mental health. Suggestions for future research include drawing data from a larger and more diverse sample of both universities and student service members/veterans.

Research Brief: "Examining The Lived Experience And Factors Influencing Education Of Two Student Veterans Using Photovoice Methodology", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about how student veterans' military experiences impact their social and higher education experiences. In policy and practice, student veterans should seek help from faculty and staff, and universities should be available to address the needs of student veterans; the VA should increase its partnerships with universities to allow for additional access to resources for student veterans, and policymakers should support universities in creating student veteran centers. Suggestions for future research include expanding the size and diversity of the sample, reducing constraints on participants, and allowing for group-sharing experiences within the study.

Exploring Incivility Toward Employee Absenteeism, Productivity, And Effective Communication: Veterans Health Administration, Sharron Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Uncivil behavior in the workplace can cause absenteeism or low job performance among employees, yet little academic literature addresses this relationship, particularly in the public sector. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to use the transactional analysis of communication (TAC) model to explore the ramifications of incivility in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The central research questions focused on employee perceptions of incivility and effective communication within the VHA. Twelve VHA employees were recruited for participation through a snowball sampling technique. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with the participants along with some VHA archived video training. Data were …

Veterans In Transition: A Correlational Investigation Of Career Adaptability, Confidence, And Readiness, Schleurious Lavan Gaiter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Thousands of service persons and veterans may be leaving military service annually without required skills and not receiving timely career counseling and interventions needed to aid in their career transitions. Knowledge about service persons' career adaptability, confidence, and readiness could enhance the actions of all stakeholders to address the challenges that accompany career transitions and may aid in identifying needed counseling and interventions. Using a survey containing the Career Transitions Inventory and the Career Futures Inventory-Revised, perspectives were obtained from service persons (N = 264) while attending Transition Assistance Program workshops. Two research questions for the study examined associations between …