Using peer support groups to enhance community integration of veterans in transition.

Drebing, Charles E.; Reilly, Erin D.; Henze, Kevin T.; Kelly, Megan M.; Russo, Anthony J.; Smolinsky, John; Gorman, Jay A.; Penk, Walter E.

doi:10.1037/ser0000178

Cited by 77 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Common mental health problems include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicidality [12,13]. In addition, post-9/ 11 veterans are vulnerable to social support deficiencies because of differences in cultural norms between military and civilian communities [14]. Difficulties in making and sustaining family connections can also occur, including marital strain, role confusion, and re-connecting with children [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing barriers to post-9/11 veterans’ use of programs and services as they transition to civilian life

Morgan

Aronson

Perkins

et al. 2020

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background: Numerous programs exist to support veterans in their transitions to civilian life. Programs are offered by a host of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. Veterans report encountering many barriers to program participation. This study identified barrier reduction strategies offered by programs that new post-9/11 veterans reported using, determined which strategies veterans use and value, and examined veteran characteristics that impact their odds of using programs that offer barrier reduction strategies. Method: This study reflects findings from the first wave of data collection of The Veterans Metrics Initiative (TVMI), a longitudinal study examining the military-to-civilian reintegration of new post-9/11 veterans. The websites of programs used by respondents were coded for barrier reduction components. Veterans also indicated which barrier reduction components they found most helpful in meeting their reintegration goals. Results: Of 9566 veterans who participated in Wave 1 data collection, 84% reported using a program that offered at least one barrier reduction component. Barrier reduction components included tangible supports (e.g., scholarships, cash), increased access to programs, decreased stigma, and encouraged motivation to change. Although only 4% of programs that were used by veterans focused on helping them obtain Veterans Administration benefits, nearly 60% of veterans reported that this component was helpful in reaching their goals. Access assistance to other resources and supports was also reported as a helpful barrier reduction component. For instance, approximately 20% of veterans nominated programs that offered transportation. The study also found evidence of a misalignment between the kinds of barrier reduction components veterans valued and those which programs offered. Veterans from the most junior enlisted ranks, who are at most risk, were less likely than those from other ranks to use barrier reduction components. Study limitations and ideas for future research are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing barriers to post-9/11 veterans’ use of programs and services as they transition to civilian life

Morgan

Aronson

Perkins

et al. 2020

BMC Health Serv Res

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“…Providing interventions that work together and address community problems will help empower individuals encouraging positive behavior. For example, offering social support has shown to be important for behavior change in other contexts ( 28 – 31 ), but is currently missing from traditional TNR approaches.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Trap-Neuter-Return Campaigns Into a Social Framework: Developing Long-Term Positive Behavior Change Toward Unowned Cats in Urban Areas

McDonald

Farnworth

Clements³

2018

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Cat management is often discussed in terms of population reduction, with trap-neuter-return (TNR) campaigns commonly organized to manage unowned urban cat populations. However, long-term effectiveness is only possible if positive neutering practices are continued by local residents. Here we discuss how implementing TNR within a wider framework of social engagement has the potential to tackle cat overpopulation and instill long-term positive behavior change toward them. We demonstrate how community engagement pre-TNR can help establish a baseline of the attitudes, knowledge and behavior concerning cats. Using a case study, we explore whether this information can be linked with positive intended behavior based on intentions to arrange for neutering of unowned cats. Structural equation modeling indicated that negative attitudes toward cats and reduced knowledge around neutering reduced the likelihood of positive intended behavior. This result was underpinned by the indirect effects of perceptions of unowned cats and reduced understanding of their needs. Utilizing these results alongside an understanding of the values and motivation of the community allows for tailored and targeted education and intervention. In turn, this addresses the underlying knowledge gaps and perceptions regarding cat welfare. This framework can help address the challenge of cat management because it: (1) takes an integrative approach to identifying the motivations of communities to take responsibility for unowned cats; (2) changes the structure of the social environment, encouraging positive neutering practices for unowned cats. In turn this improves the impact and longevity of TNR campaigns whilst promoting positive welfare change for unowned and owned cats; and (3) appreciates that opinions are likely to vary hugely between areas, therefore providing an adaptable community level approach.

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“…Common mental health problems include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicidality (12,13). In addition, veterans are vulnerable to social support deficiencies because of differences in cultural norms between military and civilian communities (14). Difficulties in making and sustaining family connections can also occur, including marital strain, role confusion, and re-connecting with children (15).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing Barriers to Post-9/11 Veterans’ Use of Programs and Services as They Transition to Civilian Life

Morgan

Aronson

Perkins

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background - Numerous programs exist to support veterans in their transitions to civilian life. Programs are offered by a host of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. Veterans report encountering many barriers to program participation. This was the first study to identify barrier reduction strategies offered by programs that post-9/11 veterans report using, determine which strategies veterans use and value, and to examine veteran characteristics that impact their odds of using programs that offer barrier reduction strategies. Method - This study reflects findings from the first wave of data collection of The Veterans Metrics Initiative, a longitudinal study examining the military-to-civilian reintegration of post-9/11 veterans. Veterans were asked to indicate which programs they had used. The websites of these programs were coded for the barrier reduction components. Veterans also indicated which barrier reduction components they found most helpful in meeting their reintegration goals. Results - Of 9,566 veterans who participated in Wave 1 data collection, 84% reported using a program that offered at least one barrier reduction component. Barrier reduction components included tangible supports (e.g., scholarships, cash), increased access to programs, decreased stigma, and encouraged motivation to change. Although only 4% of programs that were used by veterans focused on helping them obtain Veterans Administration benefits, nearly 60% of veterans reported that this component was helpful in reaching their goals. Access assistance to other resources and supports was also reported as a helpful barrier reduction component. For instance, approximately 20% of veterans nominated programs that offered transportation. The study also found evidence of a misalignment between the kinds of barrier reduction components veterans valued and those which programs offered. Veterans from the most junior enlisted ranks, who are at most risk, were less likely than those from other ranks to use barrier reduction components. Conclusions – Despite the evidence that barrier reduction components enhance access to programs and contribute to program sustainability, many programs used by post-9/11 veterans do not offer them. There is also a misalignment between the barrier reduction strategies veterans value and the strategies offered by programs. Veteran serving organizations should increasingly implement barrier reduction strategies that veterans value.

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Using peer support groups to enhance community integration of veterans in transition.

Cited by 77 publications

References 55 publications

Reducing barriers to post-9/11 veterans’ use of programs and services as they transition to civilian life

Reducing barriers to post-9/11 veterans’ use of programs and services as they transition to civilian life

Integrating Trap-Neuter-Return Campaigns Into a Social Framework: Developing Long-Term Positive Behavior Change Toward Unowned Cats in Urban Areas

Reducing Barriers to Post-9/11 Veterans’ Use of Programs and Services as They Transition to Civilian Life

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