scholarly journals Social Isolation Among Older Military Veterans

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 540-540
Author(s):  
Kirsten Laha-Walsh ◽  
Zainab Suntai
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
The United States ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Socially Isolated

Abstract Social isolation is an increasingly critical issue among older adults and has been found to affect several domains of well-being, including physical, psychological, and cognitive health. Research has found that military veterans often experience hardships in the transition back to civilian life including emotional trauma, depression, substance misuse and pain from combat-related injuries, which have been shown to persist well into older adulthood. As such, this study aimed to examine the prevalence of social isolation among older military veterans and determine which veterans are most at-risk of experiencing social isolation, using the Berkman-Syme Social Network Index as a framework. Data were derived from Round 1 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), an annual longitudinal panel survey of adults aged 65 and older living in the United States. Results showed that about 4.5% of veterans in the NHATS are severely socially isolated while another 20.9% are socially isolated. After controlling for other explanatory variables, being White, being 85 and older, having lower educational attainment, being unmarried/unpartnered and having lower income were associated with an increased risk of experiencing social isolation. Interventions aiming to improve the well-being of older veterans should consider employing both preventative and amendatory measures. These may include the creation and administration of a standardized social isolation scale during visits to veterans’ affairs (VA) medical centers and a general effort to address stressors from military service by destigmatizing and improving access to mental health services.

scholarly journals Thank You for Hearing My Voice – Listening to Women Combat Veterans in the United States and Israeli Militaries

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shir Daphna-Tekoah ◽  
Ayelet Harel-Shalev ◽  
Ilan Harpaz-Rotem
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Female Veterans ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
The Military ◽  
Female Soldiers ◽  
Combat Soldiers

The military service of combat soldiers may pose many threats to their well being and often take a toll on body and mind, influencing the physical and emotional make-up of combatants and veterans. The current study aims to enhance our knowledge about the combat experiences and the challenges that female soldiers face both during and after their service. The study is based on qualitative methods and narrative analysis of in-depth semi-structured personal interviews with twenty military veterans. It aims to analyze the narratives of American and Israeli female combat soldiers regarding their military service, with emphasis on the soldiers’ descriptions, in their own words, about their difficulties, challenges, coping and successes during their service and transition to civilian life. A recurring theme in the interviews with the veterans of both militaries was the need to be heard and the fact that societies, therapists, and military institutions do not always truly listen to female veterans’ experiences and are not really interested in what actually ails them. Our research suggests that conventional methods used in research relating to veterans might at times be inadequate, because the inherent categorization might abstract, pathologize, and fragment a wide array of soldiers’ modes of post-combat being. Moreover, female veterans’ voices will not be fully heard unless we allow them to be active participants in generating knowledge about themselves.

Music workshops as a pathway to community engagement for military veterans

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-340
Author(s):  
Niyati Dhokai
Keyword(s):  
Community Engagement ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Arts Engagement ◽  
The Impact

For military veterans who are integrating into civilian community settings after military service, community engagement often involves the negotiation of post-injury needs, the consideration of new roles within the family and community social structures and the transition from military to civilian life. Community-based music programmes can provide opportunities to explore new social relationships with family, friends and community members and reinforce a sense of well-being as well as inform facilitators about the different learning and health needs, particularly those leading to social isolation, of veterans and their families that may affect adherence and retention during the workshop series. This article examines the impact of participating in community-based guitar workshops using ethnographic observation, surveys and interviews with veteran participants. Longitudinal ethnographic information offers valuable insight to plan long-term arts engagement as veterans and their families transition to new communities and continue to utilize the arts as a way to provide positive peer-to-peer support.

Music workshops as a pathway to community engagement for military veterans

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niyati Dhokai
Keyword(s):  
Community Engagement ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
Community Members ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Arts Engagement ◽  
The Impact

For military veterans who are integrating into civilian community settings after military service, community engagement often involves the negotiation of postinjury needs, the consideration of new roles within the family and community social structures and the transition from military to civilian life. Communitybased music programmes can provide opportunities to explore new social relationships with family, friends and community members and reinforce a sense of well-being as well as inform facilitators about the different learning and health needs, particularly those leading to social isolation, of veterans and their families that may affect adherence and retention during the workshop series. This article examines the impact of participating in community-based guitar workshops using ethnographic observation, surveys and interviews with veteran participants. Longitudinal ethnographic information offers valuable insight to plan long-term arts engagement as veterans and their families transition to new communities and continue to utilize the arts as a way to provide positive peer-to-peer support.

scholarly journals Kinship Care and Child Protection in High-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483802110360
Author(s):  
Nutmeg Hallett ◽  
Joanna Garstang ◽  
Julie Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Home Care ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Kinship Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Income ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Abuse And Neglect

Kinship care is a global phenomenon with a long history, which in high-income countries (HICs) at least, is being increasingly formalized through legislation and policy. There are many benefits to kinship care, including improved child mental health and well-being when compared to other types of out-of-home care. Despite this, kinship care is not without its risks with a lack of support and training for kinship carers putting children at an increased risk of abuse and neglect. This scoping review was conducted across 11 databases to explore the breadth and depth of the literature about abuse and neglect within kinship care in HICs and to provide initial indications about the relationship between kinship care and abuse. Of the 2,308 studies initially identified, 26 met the inclusion criteria. A majority of studies were from the United States, and most used case review methods. From the included studies, rates of re-abuse, and particularly rates of physical and sexual abuse, appear to be lower in kinship care settings when compared to other out-of-home care settings, but rates of neglect are often higher. This review has demonstrated that a small but significant number of children living in kinship care experience neglect or abuse.

Effects of Perceived Public Regard on the Well-Being of Military Veterans

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-304
Author(s):  
Fred E. Markowitz ◽  
Sara M. Kintzle ◽  
Carl A. Castro ◽  
Steven L. Lancaster
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Public Regard

Many military veterans face considerable challenges reintegrating into civilian life. Evidence suggests the general public holds conflicting attitudes toward veterans. This study examines how perceived public attitudes play a role in veterans’ mental health and well-being. Drawing from and extending interactionist theories of self-concept, stigma, and mental health recovery, we develop and estimate models for the relationships between internalized public attitudes toward veterans (perceived public regard), military identity–related self-worth (private regard), and well-being (depression, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction). Using survey data from the Chicagoland Veterans Study, we found that perceived public regard is negatively related to depression and positively related to self-efficacy and life satisfaction. The relationship between public regard and self-efficacy is fully mediated by private regard, and a significant part of the relationship between perceived public regard and both depression and life satisfaction is mediated by private regard. The study suggests avenues for extending theory and research related to military identity and public understanding of veterans as well as other groups where there may be conflicting public sentiment toward them.

Trends in Childhood Obesity Research: A Brief Analysis of NIH-Supported Efforts

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry T-K Huang ◽  
Mary N. Horlick
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Behavioral Change ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
Obesity Research ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Economic Well Being

Childhood obesity continues to rise in the United States, with now over 17% of children and adolescents considered overweight. Childhood obesity predisposes an entire generation to increased risk of chronic diseases and disabilities and is a severe threat to the economic well-being of the nation. At first thought, the solution to the obesity epidemic may seem simple: encourage people to eat less and exercise more. However, the reality is that behavioral change is difficult to achieve without also considering the interplay of genetics, biological processes, and social and environmental mechanisms. As such, investment in obesity research has been considered an important tool to combat obesity and obesity-related diseases. Childhood obesity research, in particular, has drawn considerable attention, given the lower cost of prevention relative to treatment and the high potential for long-term benefits at a population level.

Social Isolation and Loneliness in Old Age

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clemens Tesch-Roemer ◽  
Oliver Huxhold
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Social Perceptions ◽  
Social Expectations ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
Aging Persons

Social isolation refers to the objective lack of social integration. Loneliness, in contrast, refers to the perceived lack of social integration. Loneliness has serious consequences for the well-being of aging persons. Individuals who feel lonely tend to have poorer health, less autonomy, and lower subjective well-being than individuals who do not feel lonely. Lonely individuals even tend to become more socially isolated over time. While prevalence rates of social isolation increase with advancing age, only a minority of older people suffer from severe loneliness, however. Hence, loneliness is not necessarily a consequence of growing old, but rather, depends on specific risk factors (e.g., social needs, social expectations, resources, and competencies). Interventions therefore should be focused on these risk factors (unfulfilled social needs, unmet social perceptions, and lack of resources and competencies).

Military Service in Vietnam/Korea and Serum Dioxin Levels Do Not Affect the Outcomes of Patients Diagnosed with Plasma Cell Dyscrasias

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 5098-5098
Author(s):  
Prasanth Ganesan ◽  
Emil Kuriakose ◽  
Carla Smith ◽  
Robert T Harris ◽  
Jonathan E Dowell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Plasma Cell Dyscrasias ◽  
Chlorinated Dioxins ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Abstract 5098 Military Service in Vietnam/Korea and Serum Dioxin Levels Do Not Affect the Outcomes of Patients Diagnosed with Plasma Cell Dyscrasias. Background: Exposure to dioxin, a contaminant found in herbicides has been associated with increased risk of cancers including multiple myeloma and postulated to cause poorer survival in the exposed population. Military personnel, especially those who had served in Vietnam and Korea have an increased risk of dioxin (which contaminated the herbicide Agent Orange which was sprayed during these wars) exposure. We looked at the impact of dioxin exposure and blood levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) which is the most toxic of the poly-chlorinated dioxins on the survival outcomes of military veterans diagnosed with plasma cell dyscrasias (PCD). Methods: A prospective analysis of newly diagnosed and existing myeloma patients was done. Information regarding the patient and disease characteristics, the military record, and outcomes were collected. Approximately 60 ml of heparinised peripheral blood was collected and immediately frozen at −20 degrees. These samples were shipped to Eurofins Laboratory, Hamburg, Germany for dioxin level measurement. Patients' blood lipid levels were also measured and the dioxin toxic equivalent (Teq) was calculated. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the date of diagnosis till death (Kaplan Meier method). Cox regression and log rank analysis were used to look for prognostic variables. Results: Fifty two (52) patients of PCD were available for analysis. Majority had a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Forty one underwent treatment including stem cell transplant in 16 (Table 1 shows the patient characteristics, laboratory results and treatment outcomes). During a median follow up of 54 months (2–348), 21 patients died (progressive myeloma: 12(23%), cardiac failure: 3 (5.7%), infections: 1 (1.9%), acute myeloid leukemia: 1 (1.9%), pulmonary embolism: 1 (1.9%) and unknown: 3 (5.7%). The median OS was 111 mos (95% CI 56–155) and the estimated survival at 5 yrs was 69.5% (+/− SE 0.067). The 5 yr OS was negatively impacted by abnormal cytogenetics (40.3 % vs. 75.5%; p=0.012), and service in the army (non-army vs. army: 83% vs. 40%; p=0.032). Patients who had served in Vietnam had outcomes similar to others; Korean War veterans had a poorer OS, but this was not statistically significant (5 yr OS 68% vs. 48%; p=0.1). There was no association between TCDD levels or the Teq with OS. Abnormal cytogenetics was the only significant factor on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: We did not find an association between military service in Korea/Vietnam or serum dioxin levels and poor survival in military veterans diagnosed with Plasma cell dyscrasias. However, a study of a larger sample of myeloma patients with similar service and exposure histories maybe warranted. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The Impact of Military Service in World War I on Africans: the Nandi of Kenya

1978 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lewis J. Greenstein
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
World War I ◽  
Military Service ◽  
The United States ◽  
Veterans Administration ◽  
World War ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
Popular Films ◽  
The Impact

It is widely believed that old soldiers are a problem. At least since the beginning of this century, western governments have been concerned with the issue of ‘helping’ veterans to readjust to civilian life upon their return from campaigning. It is assumed that these men would, if left to their own devices, find it difficult or impossible to ‘pick up from where they had left off’, and might, therefore, become a subversive element in the general population. Hence, one of the largest bureaucracies in the United States is the Veterans Administration which is charged with fitting ex-soldiers back into society. To a certain extent the concerns over whether they would be satisfied after their demobilisation have proved to be justified. The dislocations experienced by returned American servicemen after World War II were illustrated by popular films like ‘The Best Years of Our Lives’. More recently, the American press paid considerable attention to the rôle of the black veterans of Vietnam in the violence which destroyed much of Newark, Detroit, and Watts in the late 1960s.

Military Service and Lifetime Arrests: Examining the Effects of the Total Military Experience on Arrests in a Sample of Prison Inmates

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika J. Brooke ◽  
Jacinta M. Gau
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Prison Inmates ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
Military Experience ◽  
Entry Length ◽  
Life Trajectories ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Military ◽  
The Impact

Service in the military is an important event that may shape veterans’ life trajectories. Research has shown that military service is associated with increased risk of alcohol and substance abuse, mental illness, and antisocial behaviors, yet it remains unclear whether service places veterans at elevated risk of criminal justice involvement. In addition, most prior research treats military service as a dichotomous variable and does not consider the specific components of the military experience that might affect the impact that service has upon veterans. In the present study, a large sample of state prison inmates is utilized to test for the potential impact of military service, by itself, as well as age of entry, length of service, combat exposure, discharge type, and branch status on lifetime arrests. Results have implications for both military and criminal justice policies in ensuring that veterans have the assistance they need as they re-enter civilian life.

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