Differences in functional and structural social support among female and male veterans and civilians

Campbell, Sarah B.; Gray, Kristen E.; Hoerster, Katherine D.; Fortney, John C.; Simpson, Tracy L.

doi:10.1007/s00127-020-01862-4

Cited by 20 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…A recent study by Campbell et al (2021) compared veteran men and women to their civilian counterparts and found differences in functional and structural social support. Veteran men reported lower social support and less network diversity than civilian men and women reported smaller network size and lower belonging support (access to others who provide acceptance and concern) than civilian women (Campbell et al, 2021). These differences in social support between veterans and nonveterans persisted even after adjusting for the influence of physical and mental health and childhood environment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other studies have echoed these findings, suggesting that veterans frequently report difficulty reintegrating into society and feel alienated from friends and family members upon return to their communities (Demers, 2011; Parker et al, 2019). Campbell et al (2021) pointed out that although studies have shown veterans tend to have lower social support than civilians, these studies are frequently unable to adjust for potential confounders (e.g., factors that may be related to both military service and social support such as childhood environment) and are limited by differences in sampling and measurement methods between veteran and civilian samples.…”

Section: Social Support In Veteransmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social support over time for men and women veterans with and without complex trauma histories.

Scoglio

Kraus

Griffith

et al. 2023

Psychological Services

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Social support is closely linked to health, but little is known about United States (U.S.) veterans' social support over time and factors that may influence their support trajectories. This study investigates social support over time for U.S. men and women Post-9/11 veterans in relation to trauma history and gender. A secondary analysis of longitudinal cohort data from the Survey of Experiences of Returning Veterans (SERV), which employed a repeated-measures longitudinal design using five waves of data (baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12 months) with 672 combat veterans. Results from random intercept multilevel models found no significant gender differences in social support over time. Veterans with complex trauma histories were at risk for lower social support across waves. A stability trend was also observed; specifically, at baseline, veterans who started with high support maintained their level over time whereas veterans who started with deficits in social support remained low over time. Veterans identifying as African American or Latinx, and those with lower annual incomes, reported lower support compared to White and higher-income veterans. Furthermore, low social support was significantly associated with severe posttraumatic stress symptoms and active suicidal ideation across 12 months. SERV utilized a nonrandom sampling method that may reduce generalizability of findings. There is also potential for residual confounding by factors related to both social support levels and time since discharge that were not available in this data set. Findings have implications for developing clinical and community interventions intended to support veterans as they transition back to the community. Impact StatementIn a study of 673 Post-9/11 veterans' patterns of social support over 1 year, those with high support retained it and those starting at a deficit remained at low levels. Findings may aid in development of interventions to increase social support early to help veterans move into the high support category so that they may maintain social support during and beyond their transition into civilian communities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Social Support In Veteransmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social support over time for men and women veterans with and without complex trauma histories.

Scoglio

Kraus

Griffith

et al. 2023

Psychological Services

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“…Related to these and other factors, 42% of US adults reported gaining unwanted weight during the pandemic, with an average gain of 29 pounds ( 8 ). With high rates of mental health conditions, food insecurity, and limited social support, veterans may be especially vulnerable to COVID-19–related behavior change and weight gain ( 14 – 18 ). Weight management programs, including MOVE!, may need to incorporate additional strategies to help participants overcome the challenges to modifying health behaviors in the context of heightened pandemic-related stress and anxiety ( 19 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

National Veterans Health Administration MOVE! Weight Management Program Participation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Gray

Hoerster

Spohr³

et al. 2022

Prev. Chronic Dis.

Self Cite

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Introduction In response to COVID-19, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) converted appropriate outpatient visits to virtual care, including MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans (MOVE!) visits. Before the pandemic, most veterans participated in MOVE! in person, with several telehealth modalities available. We sought to describe national trends in MOVE! participation during the pandemic (March 2020–January 2021) overall and by modality and to compare participation to prepandemic levels. Methods We conducted a national retrospective cohort study of veterans who participated in MOVE! from January 2018 through January 2021. We examined MOVE! participation across VHA aggregated at the national level by month, including the number of visits, participants, and new participants in person and via telehealth, including telephone, clinic-to-clinic synchronous video, anywhere-to-anywhere (eg, provider home to patient home) synchronous video, and remote education and monitoring. We also determined the percentage of all MOVE! visits attributable to each modality and the monthly percentage change in participation during the pandemic compared with monthly averages in prior years. Results Before March 2020, 20% to 30% of MOVE! was delivered via telehealth, which increased to 90% by April 2020. Early in the pandemic, telephone-delivered MOVE! was the most common modality, but anywhere-to-anywhere synchronous video participation increased over time. Compared with the same months in prior years, total monthly MOVE! participation remained 20% to 40% lower at the end of 2020 and into January 2021. Conclusion The VHA MOVE! program rapidly shifted to telehealth delivery of weight management services in response to the pandemic. However, a gap remained in the number of veterans receiving these services compared with prior years, suggesting potential unmet needs for weight management.

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“…[23][24][25] The existing research highlights issues, such as women's premature release as a result of negative military workplace experiences, 26 military and Veteran women's mental health needs, 27 or the weaker social supports women Veterans have compared with civilians and male Veterans. 28 As well, a small amount of research focuses on the experiences and MCT outcomes of LGBT+, 29 racial and ethnic minorities, 30 and Indigenous Veterans. 31 For the most part, research treats these different identity categories as separate rather than intersecting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mind the gap: Sex, gender, and intersectionality in military-to-civilian transitions

EichlerMaya

Smith-EvansKimberley

SpannerLeigh

et al. 2021

Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health

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LAY SUMMARY The authors conducted a review of existing research on sex, gender, and intersectionality in relation to military-to-civilian transition (MCT). Extensive international studies and government resources, mostly from the United States, provide insight into the potential vulnerabilities and challenges encountered by historically under-represented military members and Veterans during MCT (i.e., by women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other sexual or gender minority, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour military service members and Veterans). The reviewed sources also highlight government initiatives and tailored programs that exist internationally to address diverse Veteran needs. Canadian research and government initiatives on the topic are limited, and this gap needs to be kept in mind. To support equitable transition outcomes for all Veterans, research as well as policies, programs, and supports need to pay attention to sex and gender as well as intersecting factors such as sexuality, race, Indigeneity, and more.

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Differences in functional and structural social support among female and male veterans and civilians

Cited by 20 publications

References 52 publications

Social support over time for men and women veterans with and without complex trauma histories.

Social support over time for men and women veterans with and without complex trauma histories.

National Veterans Health Administration MOVE! Weight Management Program Participation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mind the gap: Sex, gender, and intersectionality in military-to-civilian transitions

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