{"title":"Family Life Education for Military Families: An Exploratory Study of Family Program Use","authors":"Clairee T. Peterson, C. O’Neal","doi":"10.1080/21635781.2023.2221466","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2023.2221466","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Recognizing the stressors that military families may face, the military offers educational programs to support families, including deployment/reintegration programs and financial programs. However, little research examines these commonly offered programs. Grounded in the Contextual Model of Family Stress (CMFS), this study addresses this gap, conceptualizing program use as a resource that may be impacted by families’ external contexts (i.e., demographic and military contextual characteristics) and associated with various indicators of well-being. This study was a secondary data analysis of cross-sectional data from 266 military families at one Army installation. A logistic regression path model was used to examine if the likelihood of program use varied by demographic and military contextual characteristics (e.g., number of deployments, PCS moves), and independent samples t-tests were conducted to assess mean differences in elements of military families’ well-being (e.g., financial well-being, anxiety). Demographic and military contextual characteristics (e.g., number of deployments and PCS moves) were associated with program use. Families that used financial programs had SMs with lower financial well-being and civilian spouses with marginally higher anxiety. The results indicate that programs providing standardized yet personalized content may be helpful for families, as well as suggest important directions for future research.","PeriodicalId":37012,"journal":{"name":"Military Behavioral Health","volume":"11 1","pages":"78 - 88"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48666293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cultural and Gender Biases regarding Inappropriate Sexual Behavior in the Romanian Military Organization","authors":"V. Mărineanu, Lorina Ariton, Camelia Verzes","doi":"10.1080/21635781.2023.2221462","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2023.2221462","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Inappropriate sexual behaviors represent a serious individual and collective health issue for organizations, including military ones. In addition to the direct negative impact on its victims, they create an unhealthy work environment, having important consequences on performance and readiness. The purpose of this study is to evaluate different aspects which may contribute to lowering the level of acceptability of such behaviors. Are there any cultural biases, including gender biases that relate to the level of acceptance of inappropriate sexual behaviors? Could certain aspects of opened-minded thinking or a certain level of morality in relation to certain behaviors of a sexual nature moderate this possible relationship?","PeriodicalId":37012,"journal":{"name":"Military Behavioral Health","volume":"11 1","pages":"89 - 104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43723799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Growing from Shame: Positive Psychology Interventions as a way to treat Moral Injury informed by acts of Commission and Omission","authors":"Samuel Dickinson","doi":"10.1080/21635781.2023.2221464","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2023.2221464","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Moral injury is a condition that can occur after incidents in which individuals perform an action that violates their own deeply held moral beliefs, or fail to prevent such actions from occurring. In the wake of these incidents, negative self-evaluations can lead to intense feelings of shame and self-loathing; hallmarks of the condition of moral injury. Unfortunately, potentially morally injurious circumstances are plentiful for the modern-day service member and veterans of recent conflicts. Existing treatment options for moral injury are currently insufficient, and there is a lack of attention paid to the condition in psychology research due in part to moral injury’s absence in the DSM 5. Moral injury has been erroneously conceptualized as an element of PTSD, and is commonly treated by trauma-processing modalities that, while effective in trauma-focused treatment, are ineffective in reducing symptoms of moral injury. The present article details how Positive Psychology interventions may be effective in the treatment of moral injury (heretofore untested and unexplored), and is a call for such research to be conducted.","PeriodicalId":37012,"journal":{"name":"Military Behavioral Health","volume":"11 1","pages":"105 - 119"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42925458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nonfatal suicidal behaviors among former active duty servicemembers-United States, 2013-2019.","authors":"Ellen Yard, Melissa Brown, Deborah Stone","doi":"10.1080/21635781.2022.2151535","DOIUrl":"10.1080/21635781.2022.2151535","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Examine characteristics associated with increased odds of nonfatal suicidal behaviors among former active-duty servicemembers (F-ADSM) using data from the 2013-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>F-ADSM were respondents who reported being separated/retired from the military and previously serving on active-duty. For each outcome of interest (suicidal ideation, made a suicide plan, made a suicide attempt), we used multivariable logistic regression with backwards elimination to identify characteristics with statistically significant associations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the 12 months preceding the survey, 3.6% of F-ADSM reported suicidal ideation, 1.0% reported making a plan, and 0.3% reported making a suicide attempt. There were increased odds of self-reported suicide attempts among F-ADSM who were female; aged 18-49 years; non-Hispanic black; gay or bisexual; divorced/separated or widowed; not employed; in poverty; binged alcohol in the past month; or ever had a major depressive episode.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Suicide can be prevented through a comprehensive, upstream approach addressing veteran's holistic needs to prevent them from becoming suicidal in the first place, and support veterans at increased risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":37012,"journal":{"name":"Military Behavioral Health","volume":"11 1","pages":"45-53"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10641751/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47285588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Helen Z MacDonald, Molly R Franz, Anica Pless Kaiser, Lewina O Lee, Amy E Lawrence, John A Fairbank, Jennifer J Vasterling
{"title":"Associations of Warzone Veteran and Intimate Partner PTSD Symptoms with Child Depression, Anxiety, Hyperactivity, and Conduct Problems.","authors":"Helen Z MacDonald, Molly R Franz, Anica Pless Kaiser, Lewina O Lee, Amy E Lawrence, John A Fairbank, Jennifer J Vasterling","doi":"10.1080/21635781.2023.2246894","DOIUrl":"10.1080/21635781.2023.2246894","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Warzone deployment increases risk for posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS), including among service members who have children. Parental PTSS are associated with child depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, and conduct problems, yet few studies of child behavioral health outcomes in military populations have accounted for PTSS in both warzone veterans and their partners. Fewer still incorporate non-clinically-recruited samples of nationally dispersed warzone veterans and their families. The current research examines whether children whose parent(s) have higher levels of PTSS exhibit more behavioral health symptoms. One hundred and thirty-three Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans and their cohabitating partners completed clinical interviews and self-report questionnaires. Higher intimate partner PTSS, more extensive child exposure to stressful life events, and being an adolescent were significantly associated with child depression after adjusting for warzone veteran PTSS, demographics, and recent warzone veteran absence from the household. Greater child exposure to stressful life events was also associated with child conduct problems. Treatment of PTSD symptoms experienced by warzone veterans' intimate partners, and preventative interventions aimed at helping the children of warzone veterans cope with stress, may ultimately yield positive benefits for the behavioral health of children in military families.</p>","PeriodicalId":37012,"journal":{"name":"Military Behavioral Health","volume":" ","pages":"236-243"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11164550/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43394372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Erica Taylor, Darshti Patel, Vincent Marconi, Alexis Whitmire, Nathan Hansen, Trace Kershaw, David Fiellin, Carolyn Lauckner
{"title":"Pilot Trial of a Smartphone-Based Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Consumption among Veterans with HIV.","authors":"Erica Taylor, Darshti Patel, Vincent Marconi, Alexis Whitmire, Nathan Hansen, Trace Kershaw, David Fiellin, Carolyn Lauckner","doi":"10.1080/21635781.2023.2221465","DOIUrl":"10.1080/21635781.2023.2221465","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Veterans engage in disproportionate levels of alcohol use, which can impact treatment outcomes among veterans with HIV. The TRAC (Tracking and Reducing Alcohol Consumption) intervention, which combines smartphones, mobile breathalyzers, and motivational interviewing (MI), was developed to help reduce alcohol use among this population. This study reports results of an 8-week pilot trial of TRAC among veterans with HIV (<i>N</i> = 10). Participants attended weekly MI sessions conducted <i>via</i> videoconferencing or phone and completed twice-daily self-monitoring of alcohol consumption using breathalyzers and surveys. They also completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and a qualitative interview. Analyses explored adherence to self-monitoring tasks, perceptions of the intervention, and preliminary effects of TRAC on alcohol use and readiness to change drinking behavior. Participants completed 76% of breathalyzer readings and 73% of surveys and completed more daytime than evening monitoring tasks. AUDIT hazardous drinking scores significantly decreased between baseline and post-test. Qualitative interviews revealed positive attitudes toward the technologies and MI sessions. Overall, this pilot demonstrated that the TRAC intervention has potential to reduce alcohol use among veterans with HIV, though additional effort is needed to improve adherence to mobile monitoring. Results were used to refine the intervention in preparation for a randomized controlled trial.</p>","PeriodicalId":37012,"journal":{"name":"Military Behavioral Health","volume":"11 1","pages":"66-77"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10888529/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47180806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Gender-based Analysis of the Correlates of Hazardous and Binge Drinking among Canadian Active Duty Military Personnel","authors":"I. Richer, M. Therrien, Z. Wang","doi":"10.1080/21635781.2022.2151531","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2022.2151531","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Alcohol misuse is prevalent among military personnel and has been associated with increased risk of psychosocial problems and physical health issues. Research suggests that military men and women exhibit distinct drinking patterns and differ in terms of alcohol-related problems. However, very little information exits on the gender-specific factors related to alcohol misuse. Information on the environment, such as rurality of serving areas, related to risky drinking among military populations is also scarce. This study examined demographic, military, psychosocial, geographical, and health indicators related to alcohol misuse among a representative sample of active-duty Canadian military members who reported drinking alcohol. Logistic regressions were used to assess the correlates of hazardous drinking and binge drinking among women and men separately. Among women, being younger, single, and experiencing mental health issues were related to risky drinking. Among men, being younger, in the Navy, self-reporting symptoms of psychological distress, and having difficulty coping with anger were related to hazardous drinking, whereas, binge drinking was related to younger age, being single, rurality of serving area, anger management, and poor overall health. Results provide support for gender-specific prevention and intervention strategies and highlight the importance of tailoring programs and policies to the needs of at-risk geographical areas.","PeriodicalId":37012,"journal":{"name":"Military Behavioral Health","volume":"11 1","pages":"1 - 13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48594138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Gros, Danielle L. Taylor, S. Witcraft, A. Coyne, R. Acierno
{"title":"Influence of Comorbid Social Anxiety Disorder on Symptomatology and Social Functioning in Female Military Sexual Trauma Survivors with PTSD","authors":"D. Gros, Danielle L. Taylor, S. Witcraft, A. Coyne, R. Acierno","doi":"10.1080/21635781.2022.2151534","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2022.2151534","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Military sexual trauma (MST) is a common experience in veterans and associated with numerous negative outcomes, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), diagnostic comorbidity, and impairments in multiple domains, including social functioning. Comorbid social anxiety disorder (SOC) may represent a particularly challenging presentation due to added difficulties with social functioning and treatment response. The present study investigated severity, emotion regulation, and perceived support and functioning of comorbid SOC in female MST survivors with PTSD. Participants were recruited for a randomized clinical trial that compared telehealth and in-person delivery of evidence-based psychotherapy for PTSD. Of the 112 participants with PTSD, 30 participants (27%) also met criteria for comorbid SOC on a diagnostic interview. Participants with comorbid PTSD-SOC endorsed poorer emotion regulation, less positive affect, and greater negative affect compared to participants with PTSD without SOC comorbidity. Participants with comorbid PTSD-SOC also were less likely to be involved in a romantic relationship and evidenced increased difficulties in sharing thoughts and feelings with family members and friends. Together, these findings suggest that SOC comorbidity in patients with MST-related PTSD is associated with increased impairments in emotion regulation and social functioning.","PeriodicalId":37012,"journal":{"name":"Military Behavioral Health","volume":"11 1","pages":"37 - 44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45619499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Larick, Noreen Graf, Phyllis L. Thompson, Cody Armstrong
{"title":"Presenting Issues of Concern among Active-Duty Service Members with Depression and/or Suicidality","authors":"J. Larick, Noreen Graf, Phyllis L. Thompson, Cody Armstrong","doi":"10.1080/21635781.2022.2151533","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2022.2151533","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The military continues to have higher rates of suicide than the civilian population. Literature indicates that rates of depression and suicidality are influenced by branch of service, marital status, rank, and deployment. However, the specific issues of concern for service members who seek mental health treatment with depression and/or suicidal ideation when they first present is absent from the literature. This study inspects archived records and counselor notes from 422 outpatient and inpatient mental health records at a US naval hospital to examine presenting issues among service members with documented depression or suicidality. Fourteen presenting issues were identified. The most pervasive presenting issues were work stress (32%) and partner relational stress (28.9%). Statistically significant differences are presented based on gender, inpatient/outpatient status, living status, marital status, suicide attempt, rank, and age.","PeriodicalId":37012,"journal":{"name":"Military Behavioral Health","volume":"11 1","pages":"28 - 36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44347766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Williamson, Danielle Dryden, Laura Palmer, R. Rona, A. Simms, N. Fear, L. Goodwin, D. Murphy, D. Leightley
{"title":"An Expert and Veteran User Assessment of the Usability of an Alcohol Reduction App for Military Veterans, Drinks:Ration: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study","authors":"C. Williamson, Danielle Dryden, Laura Palmer, R. Rona, A. Simms, N. Fear, L. Goodwin, D. Murphy, D. Leightley","doi":"10.1080/21635781.2022.2151532","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2022.2151532","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The development of mobile health applications (apps) is growing exponentially. Alcohol reduction apps can break down perceived barriers of seeking help for alcohol misuse, potentially making them more appealing than face-to-face methods. App usability is therefore essential in supporting individuals misusing alcohol. Alcohol misuse is common in the UK Armed Forces, therefore smartphone-based alcohol interventions could be valuable for this population. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the usability of Drinks:Ration, an alcohol reduction app for military veterans. Participants downloaded and used Drinks:Ration for 14-days (n = 16), completed a usability questionnaire (n = 14; 88%) and a semi-structured interview (n = 12; 75%). The mean usability score across all measures was 6.09 (SD 1.37), out of 7, indicating good usability. Three core themes were identified: simplicity; appropriateness for veterans; and engagement. Drinks:Ration was a usable app for veterans to monitor their alcohol consumption. Veteran users were more critical than expert users about the usefulness of the app. Feedback was incorporated into the app, where possible, to improve usability. Improvements included adding extra drink options, removing device notification sounds and adding a pop-up to each page which provides information about the features of the app on first use.","PeriodicalId":37012,"journal":{"name":"Military Behavioral Health","volume":"11 1","pages":"14 - 27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46927461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}