Brian C Kok

• Doctor of Philosophy
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Over the past 20 years, U.S. military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have been marked by high rates of combat and wartime killings. Research on Vietnam-era service members suggests that the type of killing (i.e., killing a combatant vs. noncombatant) is an important predictor of later mental health problems, including posttraumatic stress disord...

Historically, clinicians and researchers have focused on depression and dementia in older people, paying little attention to anxiety except as a complication of these disorders. However, increased research into late-life anxiety has seen a growth in scientific literature and clinical interest. This important book brings together international exper...

Military occupational designations are standardized classifications that help define and convey a service member’s expected duties and responsibilities. The present study examined how occupational designation was related to adverse combat-reactions, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It was hypothesized that at comparable levels of...

Association Between Depression and Intermittent Explosive Disorder in Active Duty Service Members

Interrelationship Between Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Gun Possession in Active Duty Service Members

Much of the military post-deployment research has focused on psychological effects leading to mental illness. However, fewer studied have examined non-deployment stressors on returning servicemembers. This study sought to identify latent profiles of Army soldiers experienced stress as well as potential predictors of class membership. Secondary anal...

Objective: The study's aim was to demonstrate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 4-week video-delivered relaxation program called Breathing, Relaxation, and Education for Anxiety Treatment in the Home Environment (BREATHE) for reducing anxiety and increasing activity engagement in older adults with anxiety disorders. Methods: This was...

In the present systematic review, we summarize the feasibility, usability, efficacy, and effectiveness of mental health-related apps created by the Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Department of Defense (DoD). Twenty-two articles were identified, reporting on 8 of the 20 VA/DoD mental health self-management and treatment companion apps. Review inclusio...

Statement of Research Problem: Studies have shown that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common mental health issue among military personnel. Despite this knowledge, there is limited research on the potential risk and protective factors for the development of GAD symptoms in service members. Studies have shown that aversive leadership practic...

Background Social anxiety disorder (SAD) (formerly called social phobia ) is among the most common mental health diagnoses among older adults; however, the research on late-life social anxiety is scarce. A limited number of studies have examined the assessment and diagnosis of social anxiety disorder in this population, and there are few social anx...

Using the secondary dataset of the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience Servicemembers (STARRS), this study 1) examined the relationships between personality (introverted or extroverted) and PTSD and 2) suggested a new model for diagnosing PTSD based on personality among female active duty service members.

Objective: Although the prevalence of adult ADHD has been well established in the general population, few studies have examined the prevalence of ADHD symptoms in the military. Method: The present study used data from 21,449 active duty soldiers, whose responses were collected as part of the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemember...

The current study extends previous research on suicide attempts and risk factors by developing a framework that categorizes the complicated nature of suicidal cognitions and behaviors.

Objective: Professional burnout is a well-documented occupational phenomenon, characterized by the gradual "wearing away" of an individual's physical and mental well-being, resulting in a variety of adverse job-related outcomes. It has been suggested that burnout is more common in occupations that require close interpersonal relationships, such as...

Objective: This study examined sources of help (providers or nonproviders) used by soldiers for mental health problems. Differences in perceived barriers to care by type of help used were also assessed. Methods: Active-duty soldiers from four brigade combat teams (N=3,380) were surveyed in 2008-2009. Items assessed posttraumatic stress disorder;...

Anger and aggression are among the most common issues reported by returning service members from combat deployments. However, the pathways between combat exposure and anger and aggression have not been comprehensively characterized. The present study aimed to characterize the relationship between trait anger, combat exposure, post-deployment PTSD,...

Studies of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence associated with deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan report wide variability, making interpretation and projection for research and public health purposes difficult. This article placed this literature within a military context. Studies were categorized according to deployment time-frame, scre...

Few studies have measured the burden of physical health problems after Iraq/Afghanistan deployment, except in association with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Grief, a correlate of health problems in the general population, has not been systematically examined. We aimed to identify the prevalence of post...

Prevalence of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion on the battlefield in Iraq/Afghanistan has resulted in its designation as a 'signature injury'. Civilian studies have shown that negative expectations for recovery may lead to worse outcomes. While there is concern that concussion screening procedures in the Veteran's Affairs Healthcare...