Military and Veterans Studies Commons^™

Recent Advances In The Understanding Of Relationship Communication During Military Deployment, Steven L. Sayers, Galena K. Rhoades

Psychology: Faculty Scholarship

In recent decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the ability of service members and their intimate partners to communicate while the service member is deployed to a combat zone. Communication among partners is a crucial aspect of intimate relationships that has been demonstrated to be highly associated with couples’ satisfaction. In addition, it is often cited by unhappy partners as a primary relationship problem. This special section of the Journal of Family Psychology presents five articles investigating deployment communication among service members and their intimate partners. The studies address the content and goals of deployment communication, the relations …

Intensive Referral To Mutual-Help Groups: A Field Trial Of Adaptations For Rural Veterans, Kathleen M. Grant, Lance Brendan Young, Kimberly A. Tyler, Jamie L. Simpson, R. Dario Pulido, Christine Timko

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Objective: A multisite field trial testing whether improved outcomes associated with intensive referral to mutual help groups (MHGs) could be maintained after the intervention was adapted for the circumstances and needs of rural veterans in treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). Methods: In three Veterans Affairs treatment programs in the Midwest, patients (N = 195) received standard referral (SR) or rural-adapted intensive referral (RAIR) and were measured at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Results: Both groups reported significant improvement at 6 months but no significant differences between SR and RAIR groups in MHG participation, substance use, addiction severity, and posttraumatic stress …

Efforts To Reduce Concomitant Opioid And Benzodiazepine Prescribing At The Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Kaitlyn A. Staton

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The United States is in the throes of an opioid epidemic. Any person who uses an opioid medication may experience an intentional or unintentional overdose. An overdose is more likely to occur when an individual ingests an opioid in combination with certain classes of medications, such as benzodiazepines or nonbenzodiazepines (Z-drugs). These medications are more likely to cause sedation and respiratory depression when taken together. Veterans, due to their unique mental and physical health challenges, are more likely to experience an overdose when they receive a combination of opioid therapy with benzodiazepine or Z-drug therapy as opposed to a single …

From War To Home: The Systematic Issues Operation Enduring And Iraqi Freedom Veterans Face Transitioning With Ptsd, Tiffany D. Ware

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the perceptions of Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom veterans with PTSD, who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life, regarding their participation in the Disabled Transition Assistance Program.

Methodology: The methodology for this research study will be qualitative from a phenomenological perspective. When thinking of research as it pertains to qualitative methods, it is appropriate to use when a researcher is trying to study the lived experiences of individuals (Flipp, 2014; Patton, 2015). This method will describe perceptions of Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom veterans with PTSD, who are …

Improving Service Delivery Through Provider Training: A Process Evaluation Of The Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System “Commitment To Serve” Workshop, Ismael Barrera

Master's Projects

As the customer-focused management strategies gradually advances into all of the VISNs [Veterans Integrated Service Networks], the Veterans Health Administration in Palo Alto, California implemented a customer service training program for employees to meet the diverse and complex needs of its customers. This research will analyze whether participants in this training, known as Commitment to SERVE, believe that it is achieving its goal. In other words, does the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) staff perceive the Commitment to SERVE workshop as a beneficial customer service training program?

Consult Management At The Va Palo Alto Health Care System: Has The Implementation Of Business Rules Improved Consult Management, And Did It Help Measure Performance For Select Services?, Christine Poblete

Master's Projects

This research project was developed to determine whether the new business rules implemented at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System have resulted in an improvement in the delivery of critical health care services through consults; and whether this process can be used as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for measuring performance of clinical services by health care administrators.

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.

Research Brief: "Service Delivery Experiences And Intervention Needs Of Military Families With Children With Asd", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study describes the service delivery challenges and intervention needs of military families that include children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have relocated. In practice and policy, military families with children with ASD living on a military base should consider serving as a mentor to new families on the base to offer information on schools and community resources, and would also benefit from the increased accessibility of resources by the Department of Defense (DoD). More research is needed to learn the best practices of service delivery for military families with children with ASD, and future studies on service delivery …

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: "Reproductive Health Of Active Duty Women In Medically Austere Environments", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the use of contraceptives, the unintended pregnancy rates, and birth defects among active duty servicewomen as compared to the civilian population. In policy and practice, servicewomen and female veterans should use reproductive and health services provided by local VA medical centers and discuss environmental exposures to their healthcare provider, who should conduct full exams with patients and discuss healthcare needs while the servicemembers are deployed; the DoD should look into the use of portable medical equipment and how to support all servicemembers, and policymakers may consider funding DoD programs for counseling about women's reproductive healthcare options. …

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 …

Examining Participation Among Persons With Spinal Cord Injuries And Disorders Using Photovoice, Salva Balbale, Keshonna Lones, Jennifer N. Hill, Sherri L. Lavela Phd, Mph, Mba

The Qualitative Report

Participation is a significant rehabilitation outcome for individuals with spinal cord injury and/or disorder (SCI/D), yet few qualitative studies have described the social aspect of disability and community participation. We used the photovoice methodology to explore perceptions and experiences related to participation among Veterans with SCI/D. We recruited a convenience sample of individuals with SCI/D at the Hines Veterans Affairs (VA) SCI/D Unit. Participants were asked to take photographs exemplifying their experiences and activities regarding participation. Within four weeks, participants returned their photographs and completed semi-structured interviews to discuss their photographs. Interview transcripts were analyzed using an inductive coding approach …

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

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

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 …

From Caution To College: The Effects On Veterans With Self- Reported Trauma Symptoms Sharing Their Experiences With The Campus Community, Jemerson Diaz

McNair Research Journal SJSU

Over 900,000 veterans are using benefits for higher education today; the vast majority of them served in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Over 25% of GWOT service members that have been treated by the Veterans Affairs (VA) are reported to have symptoms of posttraumatic stress or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTS/PTSD). PTS/PTSD negatively impacts student veterans’ abilities to navigate stressful environments such as college and university settings. The Veterans Embracing Transition (VET) Connect Program at San José State University (SJSU) is designed to connect veterans with non-veterans as peer educators. Five of the 13 VET Connect peer educators (38.5%) who …

The Relationship Between The Military's Masculine Culture And Service Members' Help-Seeking Behaviors, Rachel Reit

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, over 2.5 million active duty U.S. military service members have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan (Knobloch & Wilson, 2015). Of those who return as veterans, twenty percent experience serious mental health problems, and only 30-40% of them seek help or treatment (Tanielian & Jaycox, 2008; Wilson, Gettings, Hall, & Pastor, 2015). Recently, the military has increased efforts to encourage help-seeking behaviors among service members and to normalize mental health treatment. However, the military’s masculine culture and emphasis on strength and toughness inhibits the success of these efforts. The present studies investigate the …

Time To Stand Up For Female Vets: Improving Access To Vegerans Administration Health Services For Female Veterans Who Experience Military Sexual Trauma, Rhonda Haugstad, Dana Miller, Michelle Remold

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Military Sexual Trauma (MST), is defined as sexual assault and/or sexual harassment experienced while serving in the United States military. The process of obtaining Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits are difficult for individuals that suffer from MST. MST survivors are faced with delays and numerous barriers in accessing services, including discrimination in seeking compensation. Statistical data from the Department of Defense (DOD) is reviewed highlighting the high rates of sexual assault in the military and addresses concerns about the long-term implications for survivors of MST.

Many female veteran survivors of MST are struggling to access needed services covered by …

Research Brief: "Analysis Of Nutritional Habits And Intake Of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids In Veterans With Peripheral Arterial Disease", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the nutritional intakes of veterans with peripheral arterial disease, and expands on previous studies. For policy and practice, the research shows that physicians should play a role in educating veterans about long-term effects of their nutritional intakes, and that the DoD and VHA should create an educational program about nutritional intake. Suggestions for future research include using daily or weekly food diaries to increase reporting accuracy and using a more representative sample in randomized controlled tests.

Research Brief: "Age, Race, And Cardiovascular Outcomes In African American Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study builds on previous research that shows increased risk of cardiovascular disorders among African Americans, and applies that research to African American veterans who receive care at the VHA. For policy and practice, this study suggests various ways that African American veterans can lower their risk of cardiovascular disorders, as well as ways that the VHA can improve the health of veterans. Suggestions for future research include having a larger sample of female veterans, analysis of the factors that contribute to African Americans' higher risk of cardiovascular disorders, and differences in access to health care among African American veterans.

Lived Experience Of Military Mental Health Clinicians: Provided Care To Oif And Oef Active Duty Service Members Experiencing War Stress Injury, David W. Vandegrift

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Military mental health clinicians (MMHCs) have been essential to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. They served in extreme stress conditions, including on the front lines. As co-combatant/clinician, the MMHC bridged unique perspectives on the effects of war stress experienced by Active-Duty Service Members (ADSMs). To date, no study has focuses uniquely on MMHCs narratives as they provided care from this multiple perspective. This investigation was carried out from a phenomenological perspective. A single, open-ended question was asked of seven MMHCs about lived experiences while serving, resulting in in-depth interviews. These were textually coded. Though clinician positive and negative experiences …

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.

Pharmacy Use By Dual-Eligible Non-Elderly Veterans With Private Healthcare Insurance, Brian C. Lund, Mary E. Charlton, Alan N. West

Dartmouth Scholarship

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest nationally integrated healthcare system in the United States, operating 168 medical centers and more than 1000 community based outpatient clinics. However, many veterans seek care outside the VHA system, particularly when they are also covered by state or federal programs such as Medicare or Medicaid, or have access to private health insurance, often through employment. Concerted efforts have been made to facilitate communication and coordinate care between VHA and private sector healthcare, but concurrent use of these systems adds to an already fragmented U.S health care system.

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

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.

Student Perceptions Of Services For Veterans And Military Personnel, Philip Parsons

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Many Veterans are returning from the War on Terror and making their way to universities. Due to the many aspects of war and military life many maybe, or are experiencing some level of mental health issue/s. As more Veterans make this transition, resources may not be available for them to be successful in the classroom (Whitley, Tschudi, & Gieber, 2013). After reviewing the literature, a suitable instrument to measure these variables was not available. The researcher developed a survey and sampled students of one Midwestern public university. The variables included basic demographic questions and perceptions of Veterans and the services …

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: "Spousal Military Deployment During Pregnancy And Adverse Birth Outcomes", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study assesses the association between a spouse’s military deployment and adverse birth outcomes, and concluded that the effect of a spouse’s deployment on adverse birth outcomes can vary by maternal age. Given that a deployment during pregnancy or delivery can negatively affect the mother and baby, policymakers might allocate funds for additional research on the needs of expectant mothers with a deployed spouse. Future work in this field should further evaluate maternal age and number of children as modifiers of the association between these variables.

A Mixed Methods Analysis Of The Relationship Between Attachment, Post-Traumatic Stress, And Post-Traumatic Growth Among United States Service Members, Chauncy T. Brinton

Dissertations, 2014-2019

The impact of secure military relationships on US service members’ response to trauma during military service was examined in this mixed methods study. Veterans with and without combat exposure evidence a high rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the military has tried to institute resilience-based programs in anticipation of the psychological challenges experienced by soldiers. At the same time, research has shown that some service members report positive outcomes associated with military service including the phenomena of post-traumatic growth (PTG). The constructs from attachment theory (safe haven and exploration) have begun to be the focus of research with service …

To What Extent Did Blood Transfusion Systems And Technologies Modernize During World War Ii?, Hannah J. Leblanc

Young Historians Conference

This investigation will explore changes in blood transfusion during World War II (1939-1945). Medical technology and collection systems for whole blood and blood plasma in particular will be examined. The focus of this investigation will be the United States, but Great Britain will also be mentioned due to its close blood transfusion-related interactions with the United States during this period. Additionally, blood transfusion prior to World War II and in modern times will also be considered in this investigation to provide context and to allow assessment of modernization during the war. However, artificial blood substitutes will not be considered, nor …