Search the Research

The research team within the Center for Research and Outreach has a multi-dimensional approach that includes conducting empirical studies, program evaluations, analysis of secondary data, and the use of empirical research to identify and address key issues impacting children, youth, and families. Through this process, we review academic literature, translate research into practice, develop materials to help non-academics be critical consumers of scientific research, and promote the use of evidenced-based information in decision making.

Alcohol Problems, Aggression, and Other Externalizing Behaviors After Return From Deployment: Understanding the Role of Combat Exposure, Internalizing Symptoms, and Social Environment

Type
PRTW

Researchers examined whether rates of externalizing behavior (e.g., alcohol consumption, aggressive behavior) four and nine months after deployment were related to various internalizing symptoms such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or elements of the social environmen

Publication year
2012
Authors
Wright, K. M. Foran, H. M. Wood, M. D. Eckford, R. D. McGurk, D.

Alcohol Problems, Aggression, and Other Externalizing Behaviors After Return From Deployment: Understanding the Role of Combat Exposure, Internalizing Symptoms, and Social Environment

Type
Abstract

Objectives: The study examined whether elevated rates of externalizing behaviors following deployment could be explained by internalizing symptoms (depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms), and health of the social environment (unit leadership, organizational support, and stigma/barriers to care).

Publication year
2012
Authors
Wright, K. M. Foran, H. M. Wood, M. D. Eckford, R. D. McGurk, D.

Anxiety, Social Support, and Physical Health in a Sample of Spouses of OEF/OIF Service Members

Type
PRTW

Eighty-six spouses of military Service members who had been deployed participated in this study that explored the connections between mental health, social support, and physical health. Findings revealed that anxiety symptoms were related to lower social support and poorer physical health.

Publication year
2012
Authors
Fields, J. A. Nichols, L. O. Martindale-Adams, J. Zuber, J. Graney, M.

Association of Military Deployment of a Partner or Spouse and Changes in Dependent Use of Health Care Services

Type
PRTW

Health care records of 55,000 non-pregnant spouses and 137,000 children of deployed Active Duty U.S. Army personnel were compared to records of spouses and children of non-deployed Soldiers to study changes in dependent health care utilization during deployment.

Publication year
2012
Authors
Larson, M. J. Mohr, B. A. Adams, R. S. Ritter, G. Perloff, J. Williams, T. V. Jeffery, D. D. Tompkins, C.

Association of Military Deployment of a Partner or Spouse and Changes in Dependent Use of Health Care Services

Type
Abstract

Background: U.S. Armed Forces members and spouses report increased stress associated with combat deployment. It is unknown, however, whether these deployment stressors lead to increased dependent medication use and health care utilization.

Publication year
2012
Authors
Larson, M. J. Mohr, B. A. Adams, R. S. Ritter, G. Perloff, J. Williams, T. V. Jeffery, D. D. Tompkins, C.

Breastfeeding Rates and Factors Related to Cessation in a Military Population

Type
Abstract

Evidence continues to accumulate showing the benefits of breastfeeding to infants, mothers, and society as a whole. However, breastfeeding success rates nationwide have consistently fallen short of recommendations set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Publication year
2012
Authors
Bales, K. Washburn, J. Bales, J.

From Financial Literacy to Financial Action

Type
Abstract

The academic research in this area is relatively new, and we draw on recent social science studies to describe a vision for maximizing the effectiveness of financial education by coupling it with steps that turn financial knowledge into effective actions.

Publication year
2012
Authors
Kiviat, B. Morduch, J.

Overweight and Obesity in Military Personnel: Sociodemographic Predictors

Type
Abstract

In the United States, nationally representative civilian studies have shown that BMI is associated with select sociodemographic characteristics. Active‐duty military personnel are not included in these surveys and the persistence of these associations in military personnel is unknown.

Publication year
2012
Authors
Smith, T. J. Marriott, B. P. Dotson, L. Bathalon, G. P. Funderburk, L. White, A. Hadden, L. Young, A. J.

Evaluating Animal-Assisted Therapy in Group Treatment for Child Sexual Abuse

Type
child abuse; maternal care; sexual trauma
This study evaluates and compares the effectiveness of three group interventions on trauma symptoms for children who have been sexually abused. All of the groups followed the same treatment protocol, with two of them incorporating variations of animal-assisted therapy.
Publication year
2012
Authors
Dietz, T. J. Davis, D. Pennings, J.

Comparing Marital Status and Divorce Status in Civilian and Military Populations

Type
PRTW

Military couples may experience significant marital stressors that civilian couples do not face (e.g., deployment, mental health concerns). Rates of marriage and divorce among Active Duty, male U.S. Service members and a matched civilian sample were compared from 1998-2005.

Publication year
2012
Authors
Karney, B. R. Loughran, D. S. Pollard, M. S.

Comparing Marital Status and Divorce Status in Civilian and Military Populations

Type
Abstract

Since military operations began in Afghanistan and Iraq, lengthy deployments have led to concerns about the vulnerability of military marriages. Yet evaluating military marriages requires some benchmark against which marital outcomes in the military may be compared.

Publication year
2012
Authors
Karney, B. R. Loughran, D. S. Pollard, M. S.