Mental health symptoms among American veterans during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Pedersen, Eric R.; Davis, Jordan P.; Prindle, John; Fitzke, Reagan E; Tran, Denise D.; Saba, Shaddy

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114292

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Four studies explored the links between PTSD and alcohol consumption in war veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 26 , 34 , 35 , 36 ] ( Table 3 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pedersen et al studied the mental health of 1230 US veterans and their reactions to the pandemic [ 35 ]. First, a longitudinal study measured pre-pandemic PTSD and AUD levels, using PCL-5 and AUDIT, one month before the pandemic and during the following year (August 2020, November 2020, and February 2021).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our review explored the interactions between PTSSs, alcohol consumption and tobacco/nicotine consumption, and reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic, showing strong interrelations between these three variables among various populations [ 26 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. In the general population, as in the specific vulnerable populations examined, PTSSs and alcohol use (including AUD) frequently potentiated each other, though these results are mixed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Intertwining of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Alcohol, Tobacco or Nicotine Use, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Mengin

Rolling

Porche

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) and alcohol, tobacco, or nicotine use are frequently associated conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a stressful situation globally and has worsened mental health conditions and addictions in the population. Our systematic review explores the links between PTSSs and (1) alcohol use and (2) tobacco or nicotine use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We searched the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases for studies published between January 2020 and 16 December 2021. We included studies published in English concerning adults or adolescents. Included articles dealt simultaneously with the COVID-19 pandemic, PTSSs, and alcohol, tobacco, or nicotine use. The reports included were cross-sectional, longitudinal, or cohort studies. We categorized the reports according to the population explored. Our main outcomes are the impacts of PTSSs on (1) alcohol use and (2) tobacco and nicotine use and their relation to COVID-19-related stressors (worries, exposure, lockdown, and infection, either of self or relatives). Results: Of the 503 reports identified, 44 were assessed for eligibility, and 16 were included in our review, encompassing 34,408 participants. The populations explored were the general population, healthcare workers, war veterans, patients with substance use disorders, and other vulnerable populations. Most studies were online surveys (14) with cross-sectional designs (11). Every study explored alcohol use, while only two assessed tobacco use. In most populations explored, a high level of PTSSs was associated with alcohol use increase. COVID-19-related stress was frequently correlated with either high PTSSs or alcohol use. In healthcare workers, PTSSs and alcohol use were not associated, while COVID-19 worries were related to both PTSSs and alcohol use. Discussion: 1. PTSSs and increased alcohol use are frequently associated, while COVID-19 worries might trigger both conditions and worsen their association. Alcohol use increase may represent either an inadequate way of coping with PTSSs or a vulnerability amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to PTSSs. As most studies were cross-sectional online surveys, longitudinal prospective studies are needed to ascertain the direction of the associations between these conditions. These studies need to be sufficiently powered and control for potential bias and confounders. 2. Our review highlighted that research about PTSSs and tobacco or nicotine use is scarce.

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“…Four studies explored the links between PTSD and alcohol consumption in war veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 26 , 34 , 35 , 36 ] ( Table 3 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Intertwining of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Alcohol, Tobacco or Nicotine Use, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Mengin

Rolling

Porche

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The local Research and Development Committee, Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the local Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approved the trial. The South Texas Research Organizational Network Guiding Studies on Trauma and Resilience (STRONG STAR) (Pedersen et al, 2021) Data Safety Monitoring Board monitored the study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of companion dog adoption on loneliness in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: An exploratory study.

Adler,

Straud,

Peterson

et al. 2024

Traumatology

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This exploratory study is a secondary analysis of a pilot randomized trial (N = 19) that examined the impact of companion dog adoption on loneliness in military veterans in treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We randomized participants to immediate dog adoption from the Humane Society (n = 9) or a 3month waitlist followed by dog adoption (n = 10) as an adjunct to PTSD care. We assessed loneliness using the UCLA-Loneliness Scale and semistructured interviews. Generalized linear mixed-effects regression models with repeated measures demonstrated greater reductions in loneliness following treatment in the dog adoption group compared to the waitlist (M diff = −11.18, p = .026; d = −1.20). Qualitative interviews found that participants who adopted a dog reported close bonds of companionship with their pets, increased social interactions, and improved emotional well-being. The findings of this study suggest that companion dog adoption used as an adjunctive treatment may help alleviate loneliness for veterans with PTSD.

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“…Finally, care engagement during the study period may have been impacted by the COVID‐19 pandemic. While Veteran suicide rates during 2020 were lower than in previous years, 1 studies have shown that Veterans experienced increases in MH symptoms and pandemic‐related stressors during 2020 47,48 . VHA MH care utilization declined slightly during the first few months of the COVID‐19 pandemic, though this effect was lessened by VHA's rapid shift to virtual care 49,50 …”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with a lack of health care utilization among Veterans after a positive suicide screen in the emergency department

Laliberte

Salvi

Hooker

et al. 2023

Academic Emergency Medicine

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Objectives: Many Veterans at high risk for suicide are identified in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) emergency departments (ED). Little is known about what may predict care utilization in this population. To address this knowledge gap, we explored factors associated with Veterans' lack of VHA care utilization following a positive suicide risk screen in the ED. Methods:In a retrospective observational study, we identified all patients who were seen in a VHA ED from October 1, 2019, to September 30, 2020. We examined factors associated with not utilizing VHA mental health (MH) and all VHA care in the 6 months following a positive suicide ED screen. Predictors included comorbidity, homelessness, and MH visit and diagnosis history. Results:We identified 23,446 Veterans with a positive suicide risk screen in the ED in fiscal year 2020. Overall, 4.1% had no VHA MH visits 6 months postscreen. The probability of not utilizing MH care was significantly higher for Veterans with no comorbidity (4.7% vs. 3.4% for mild comorbidity), no MH diagnosis (10.5% vs 2.8%), no past-year MH visits (13.6% vs 2.3%), and no past-year homelessness (5.4% vs. 1.1%).A smaller proportion of the population did not receive any VHA care 6 months postscreen (0.5%). Veterans who did not experience homelessness (0.6% vs 0.2%), had no MH diagnosis (1.6% vs. 0.3%), and had no previous MH visits (1.9% vs 0.2%) were significantly more likely to not utilize VHA care.Conclusions: Veterans who do not utilize VHA care after a positive suicide risk screen appear to have fewer documented health and housing concerns than those who do receive care. Yet, Veterans with a positive suicide risk screen who are otherwise healthy may remain at elevated risk for suicide following their ED visit. ED providers may consider enhanced follow-up care to mitigate suicide risk for these Veterans.

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Mental health symptoms among American veterans during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 12 publications

References 14 publications

The Intertwining of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Alcohol, Tobacco or Nicotine Use, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

The Intertwining of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Alcohol, Tobacco or Nicotine Use, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

The effect of companion dog adoption on loneliness in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: An exploratory study.

Factors associated with a lack of health care utilization among Veterans after a positive suicide screen in the emergency department

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