Veterans - Science topic

Any ideas on how to launch a survey that would capture the military experience from veterans?

I have seen many veterans who have been exposed to severe shock waves from artillery fire. Their MRI of the brain are showing some "non-specific" changes, but there history is very typical of prolonged post-concussive syndrome and even CTE. There are tens of thousands of veterans with this condition. They are not being properly diagnosed and treated. As far as I am aware of, besides an MRI study done at Walter Reed Hospital there are no other studies using more sensitive tests, such as SPECT or PET. 

While working on my study on the history of Finnish associations of War Veterans I wanted to do some international comparing but noticed that only few (if any) scientific studies on organisations such as Der Stahlhelm, Kyffhäuserbund, NS-Kriegsopferversorgung etc. seem to exist. Could anyone help me with some ideas where to look for qualified studies on these topics?

I am currently working on a project about the war veteran organisations in Finland. Once completed, this research will offer a complete view on the voluntary veterans' organisations in Finland. In the project, I often use the definition "War generation" which defines the group of people who have experienced the battles as their own "key experience", and thus form a generation which is defined by this experience. Can anyone recommend any good studies on generations as a tool for history/sociology studies?

I am looking for recent research (last 5-10 years) that examines the associations between subjective self-reported cognitive complaints (as well as neurobehavioral symptoms or PCS) and objective performance on tests of cognitive functioning. I would be interested in research in all populations, but specifically in combat Veterans or military Service Members.

Anyone doing research on female military veterans regarding their struggles in transition from military life?

I am conducting a study examining the effects of childhood experiences on military service members and veterans with deployment experiences.

I have developed a questionnaire through Qualtrics (see the link below). However, I am struggling to get participants. I have focused on Reddit and social media platforms. Does anyone have suggestions for other ways to access military service members and veterans?

Thank you!

Have you some experiences with tree care and special treatment to protect biotops of rare species dependent on old/veteran trees in European conditions?

Hello, I requested the article " Identity constellations: An intersectional analysis of female student veterans" and I received the article entitled "Identity Collisions: An intersectional analysis of students' experiences in the McNair Scholars Program." Both articles were written by the author. The email I received from her had a different article than I requested attached. I was wondering if a new request could be sent. Thank You, Catherine Dudley D

Recently, collective bullying by a veteran teacher was conducted for a young teacher in Kobe in Japan. This is a big problem, and every time I watch TV and Internet news, I feel sad. In Tokyo, the recruitment ratio for elementary school teachers is 1.1 times, and it is expected to drop further. I am worried that the Japanese education system will be destroyed by the Deterioration of teacher quality. Such a problem will influence Japan and other countries in the near future. I hope any comment which is useful for children.

Moral injury has been researched quite extensively in military and veteran populations but much less so in other occupations. I am interested in any research particularly in relation to first responders that may be underway.

A compelling question at the end was , What are the difference between a Veteran and  inner city child in a war zone- at 56:40min. Cheers, Paul

Here is the webinar VA Healing Environments and Research: Connection, Reflection, Introspection, Trust and Acceptance presented on July 11th for the Center for Health Design.

I am doing research on this topic.

Veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan and Syria are included. Has anyone done similar research> If yes, what methods did you use

Maureen Didion

In a decision Thursday, a VA committee declined to cover the drug (ESKETAMINE) for all beneficiaries, instead restricting the nasal spray to patients who have not responded to other treatments and requiring an authorization process before it can be prescribed.

A VA spokesperson said in a statement that drug was approved on a “non-formulary” basis, likening it to “prior authorization” that many private insurers mandate before permitting the use of potentially risky or expensive treatments.

https://www.statnews.com/2019/06/21/va-declines-broad-coverage-for-new-jj-depression-drug-touted-by-trump/?utm_source=STAT+Newsletters&utm_campaign=daeb7bcc03-Daily_Recap&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8cab1d7961-daeb7bcc03-149870113

Looking for any major systematic reviews of the use of virtual reality to treatment military veterans. Thanks

Interesting work

Which validated self-administerede questionnaires could you recommend to measure psychosocial functioning among veterans seeking treatment by a psychologist? The questionnaire should be able to examine and detect the effect of treatment on psychosocial functioning e.g. among clients with severe PTSD where the symptom severity does not diminish although it is obvious that the clients improve in their contact to their spouse, children, friends and family - and are able to participate in social activities. The assessment is meant to be before treatment initiation and after treatment termination (after e.g. 10/20 times)? I am aware of WHODAS 2.0, recommend by WHO, however I do not find that it suits younger clinets (WHODAS also includes questions about mobility). I do hope you have some suggestings.

Am planning research on moral injury but am having difficulties getting ethics approval out of fear that war crimes might be disclosed in the interview process. Any information or strategies appreciated.

In geopolitics and international trade policies, developing nations are treated as if they were just a trivial appendage. Yet, the rest of the world is inseparably interconnected with them. The surviving WWII veterans still living across Africa, for example, are evidence of the extent to which global events can affect developing nations. The recent recession also provides another reminder.

- What are the implications of the US-China, US-EU trade wars for developing economies?

- Which proactive measures should governments in developing economies take before any nasty awakening?

Intra-African trade, BRICS power...anyone? Your thoughts are more than welcome.

Beyond a few relatively vague pieces from the press, I have come up empty. Some surveys of veterans (especially in criminal justice contexts) ask, but I would like to have some idea of national numbers for comparative purposes. I am sure the DoD must track, but it does not seem readily available. Any suggestions on government or peer reviewed sources would be appreciated. Thanks.

Are there organizations that will partner with a non-profit in providing mental health - life coaching and animal assisted services for veterans that have terminal brain cancer?

Giving an in-service on Trauma-informed care for staff working in shelters for the homeless (with focus on veterans)

Combat Veterans and PTSD.

I have come across an account by a Japanese veteran of WW2. He wrote fondly of his friendship he struck with the people of Namale village, New Britian Island. His writing does not really say much about what they villagers thought of him. I am interested in finding out what they thought of a friend is/was. I suspect the veteran's understanding of a friend may have some overlap and differences. I am aware of James Carrier's work on friendship in Melanesia. My university does not have a book that has Carrier's chapter. But if you know of any work that followed his, I would be really interested.

Thank you for your time.

Ryota

Please provide information on culturally competent services available for American Indian and Alaska veterans that would help reduce health care disparity

Thank you Olivia Jaiman

Women Veterans with a PTSD diagnosis as a result of MST.

Thank you

Tammy

Developing an article on a therapy program that helps couples that include a veteran with PTSD, have better relationships.

Lagging in recruitment but want to recruit local non-veteran subjects who may benefit.  Do you need to have a separate consent form/HIPAA form or are they the same?

I am currently researching veterans' help-seeking behaviors and attitudes and would like to communicate with anyone who has worked with ex-Forces people.

Regards,

Ian

I am currently undertaking three studies of military communities and have a fourth planned on veterans returning to education. If anyone is currently undertaking this kind of research, or is interested in a collaborative project (UK and international) then please can you contact me.

I am working on my dissertation and I am having some trouble getting articles that are with in the last 5 years for the most current research. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I am interested in rigorous research and empirical studies identifying the resiliency factors that mitigate susceptibility to PTSD.  In other words, assuming exposure to comparable experiences and stressors during combat, what characteristics or traits appear to be correlated with resiliency and the ability to avoid PTSD?  Or alternatively, what characteristics or traits appear to be correlated with PTSD symptoms?

I am looking for grey literature, non-published technical reports, or even anecdotal data.  Thanks! 

At my work we examine the experiences and lessons learned from deployment in international military missions. We are going to start examining air force personnel. But I have searched in vain after studies dealing with what possible environment, situations or tasks that air force pilots (fighters, bombers) potentially may be afraid of, after they have been deployed in international military mission.

We know from deployed army soldiers that they after home coming may e.g. be afraid to move outside firm paved road (grass, gravel etc.) due do possible mine threat. Is there anyone who knows what air force pilots (fighters, bombers) may be afraid of after home coming? Or do you have knowledge of researchers that I should contact?

This is a project of the Mental Health Consortium Verde Valley in Arizona. We need advice and experience from others so we do not re-invent the wheel. Survey instruments, publications, process descriptions, data points ... We know the VA resources are seen as inadequate and many Vets report they have stopped going the many miles to get services. The goal is to identify and prioritize needs to try to encourage collaboration and program development in the area.

Any help will be welcomed as we gear up to do this.

I’ve run into a problem with a research project that I’m completing.  Previous research has demonstrated a curvilinear relationship between PTG and stress responses, with the relationship resembling an inverted U-shape (e.g., McCaslin et al., 2009; Taku et al., 2015).  The same finding has been found with previous research comparing the relationship of PTG and depression (e.g., Kleim & Ehlers, 2009).  I am working with data from a sample of veterans treated for PTSD in a residential setting, and I’m comparing PTG with depression.  My analysis also produced a curvilinear relationship, but with a U-shape (not inverted-U).   This is very different from previous research.  I have noticed that mean scores for depression are much higher than in previous studies (M  for BDI-II = about 24- moderate depression).  The mean PTGI score is about 55.  I’m not sure what to make of this, and am wondering if I should just scrap my project as it is quite different from findings of previous studies.  Does anyone have a possible explanation as to why the curvilinear relationship might be so different?  Thanks.   

I have observed that former military personnel function at different speed of action than that of persons functioning in everyday society; their entire pace of daily functioning seems to be dramatically faster than that of civilians. These former military individuals are attempting to reintegrate into society and tend to find doing so difficult. If you know of any research regarding this topic or researchers I could contact please let me know. I have my own theories as to why this may be manifesting. That said, your comments are welcome.

I am working toward qualitative research and analysis connected with the construct of moral injury, specifically with regard to the experience of veterans. Any leads toward important journal articles and texts as well as refinements for research questions would be appreciated.

Can anyone advise me about questionnaires measuring combat exposure/experience among navy soldiers (on a ship)? I am aware of the Combat Exposure Scale (CES) which we have used among deployed (army) soldiers, but I have only seen that it has been used among navy soldiers in one publication.

Kind regards,

Anni Nielsen

I'm looking at equine, music, construction [ala Habitat for Humanity but veteran-focused], ranching, etc. for non-traditional treatment or programs….but not CBT, EMDR, EFT, etc.. Thank you in advance for any help!

There is a growing literature and much research underway on suicide among members of the military and veterans. There are also (in US at least) some grief support resources (e.g., VA, TAPS) specifically for those affected by such losses. However, it would seem that the heavy media attention focused on possible risk factors and triggers (i.e., PTSD, multiple deployments, combat exposure, marital issues, problems adjusting to civilian life, etc.) might bear on the grieving process of family members and others. To be sure these "survivors" may have much in common with others dealing with suicide loss, but the overarching "presence" of military training, experience, and values (code) would seem to play a role also.

I am finding low growth hormone levels in OEF/OIF veterans with tbi./ptsd  that have been homeless. This population is very vulnerable because they feel lost around groups of people. Those with mild to moderate TBI are our most difficult challenge because there are no residential programs for this group that would combine both TBI and PTSD treatment programs to support integration. Out- patient treatment is not intense enough and difficult to keep the veteran engaged  they become frustrated with the system so they end up leaving housing and become homeless again. Any thoughts on low hormone level and emotional instability support poor decision making? Does motivational interaction even having any therapeutic affect on this population?

I considered Bowlby's Theory on Adult Attachments for my doctoral research with partners of veterans with combat-related PTSD. I would like to know if anyone has current information please?

I am updating my literature review to help direct the creation of qualitative research studies in this area.

Asessment of symptoms seems at times to not be a sufficient measure of improvement.