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Focus on Resilience Protects Veterans, New Study Finds.

December 15, 2014
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Resilience factors, such as emotional hardiness and social support, appear to protect returning military troops from subsequent mental health problems and alcohol overuse, suggesting that interventions after deployment could enhance psychological outcomes, a new study led by BU School of Public Health researchers shows.

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, surveyed 512 service members within 3 to 12 months of their return from deployment, and then within a year afterwards. The researchers found that “greater hardiness predicted several indicators of better mental health and lower levels of alcohol use 6-12 months later.” Post-deployment social support also was tied to better mental health and less post-traumatic stress symptom severity, alcohol and drug use.

Resilience is the ability of adults who are exposed to highly stressful events, such as the violent, life-threatening situations encountered in combat, to maintain healthy psychological and physical functioning. The research team defined “hardiness” as believing that life experiences are controllable and meaningful, and that stressful events are opportunities for growth. Social support or connection refers to resources that help people cope with stress, such as advice in dealing with problems.

Respondents were asked about a number of factors that impact resilience, including childhood stressors, concerns about family and living situations, and combat experiences.

The study found that high resilience appears to “protect returning service members from the negative effects of traumatic exposure.” Interventions to improve resilience after deployment “have the potential to reduce vulnerability to stress and trauma associated with military service, as well as enhance post-military employment, stable housing, and other aspects of community reintegration,” the authors said.

The study comes as the military has undertaken several initiatives to improve resilience in troops, both before and after deployments. Recent research on military personnel returning from Afghanistan and Iraq confirms an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol and drug abuse, and other psychiatric disorders.

Lifetime prevalence of PTSD is 6.8 percent in the general population, but ranges from 11 to 19 percent in veterans.

Authors on the study included: Susan V. Eisen, Mark E. Glickman, A. Rani Elwy and Mari-Lynn Drainoni, all from the BUSPH Department of Health Policy and Management and the Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital; Mark R. Schultz of CHOIR; Dawne Vogt of the BU School of Medicine; James A. Martin of Bryn Mawr College; and Princess E. Osei-Bonsu of the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Health Care System.

The study was funded by a Veterans Administration Health Services Research and Development grant, the Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, and the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Women’s Health Sciences Division.

The full study is available at ScienceDirect.

Submitted by: Lisa Chedekel

 

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