Publication year
2011
Citation Title
Psychological resilience in OEF-OIF veterans: Application of a novel classification approach and examination of demographic and psychosocial correlates.
Journal Name
Journal of Affective Disorders
Journal Volume
133
Issue Number
3
Page Numbers
560-568
DOI
10.1016/j.jad.2011.04.028
Summary
Data from the Connecticut OEF/OIF Veterans Needs Assessment Survey was utilized to examine the association between demographic and psychosocial aspects of resilience and combat-related stress. Findings revealed that being in a significant relationship and having partner support are protective factors.
Key Findings
Of the three groups, the resilient group (23% of the sample) reported high levels of combat exposure, but had minimal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
The resilient group was also more likely to be married or living with a partner, in Active Duty, and less likely to have depression.
Resilient Veterans reported less alcohol use problems, lower psychological difficulties, and greater psychological resilience and social support.
Implications for Program Leaders
Develop and test the efficiency of evidence-based prevention and intervention programs to help OEF/OIF Veterans and their families overcome military-related stressors
Create supportive workshops for OEF/OIF Veterans who have combat-related PTSD to promote resiliency
Continue to include military family members in the education of resilience-based programming to bolster family support
Implications for Policy Makers
Encourage collaboration among DoD programs, the Veteran Affairs system, and community-based organizations to support a smooth transition for departing Service members
Recommend that programs for Service members leaving the military provide information about professional support for mental health related issues and VA benefits for Veterans
Recommend clinical assessment of psychological disorders in Service members prior to deployment and discharging from the military
Methods
Recruitment of OEF/OIF Veterans came from notification of Service members departing from the military and were sent to the Commissioner of VA in Connecticut.
A sample of 1,050 Connecticut OEF/OIF Veterans Needs Assessment surveys were sent via mail; 285 were returned.
Veterans were assessed on the following eight measures: exposure to combat, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, depression, alcohol use problems, psychosocial functioning with family and friends, psychological resilience, amount of assistance and encouragement received by unit leaders, unit members, and the military in general during war, and post-deployment social support.
Surveys were completed approximately 27 months following return from deployment.
Participants
The study sample consisted of 272 OEF/OIF Veterans with an average age of 35 years (SD = 0.4).
A majority of the participants were White (89%) and completed at least some college education (82%).
Veterans were of multiple branches, both Active (28%) and Reserve and Guard (72%) components.
Limitations
Since the study sample consisted of mainly White, Reserve and Guard Veterans, findings are difficult to generalize to a more diverse sample.
OEF/OIF Veterans who participated in this study were drawn from Connecticut, thus, limiting the generalizability of study findings to the broader population of OEF/OIF Veterans.
The cross-sectional design of the study prohibits drawing strong causal conclusions.
Avenues for Future Research
Replicate this study in a larger, more representative sample of OEF/OIF Veterans
Examine the long-term effects of combat-related stress and resiliency of OEF/OIF Veterans across time
Recruit both OEF/OIF Veterans and their families to assess resiliency in how couples react to military-related stressors
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Component
Abstract
A growing number of studies have examined the prevalence and correlates of psychopathology in Veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF-OIF), but few have examined determinants of resilience in this population. This study employed a novel approach to classify psychological resilience in a cross-sectional sample of OEF-OIF Veterans. A total of 272 predominantly older reserve/National Guard OEF/OIF Veterans completed a mail survey that assessed combat exposure, psychopathology, psychosocial functioning, and aspects of social support. Cluster analysis of scores on measures of combat exposure and PTSD symptoms revealed that a three-group solution best fit the data: Controls (low combat exposure, low PTSD symptoms); PTSD (high combat exposure, high PTSD symptoms); and Resilient (high combat exposure, low PTSD symptoms). Compared to the PTSD group, the Resilient group was more likely to be in a relationship and active duty; they also scored lower on a measure of psychosocial dysfunction, and higher on measures of psychological resilience and postdeployment social support. Logistic regression analysis revealed that being in a relationship, having fewer psychosocial difficulties, and reporting greater perceptions of purpose/control and family support and understanding were significantly associated with resilient group membership. Results of this study demonstrate a novel approach to classifying psychological resilience and suggest that interventions to mitigate psychosocial difficulties, enhance perceptions of purpose and control, and bolster family support and understanding may help promote resilience to combat-related PTSD in OEF-OIF Veterans.
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