Suchergebnisse

Selecting indicators and outcome measures is an essential step in program evaluation. Given the distinctiveness and specificity of many community-based programs, nonprofit managers, evaluators, and research teams rarely share the design, development, and decision-making process that transforms good ideas into a cohesive evaluation plan. However, for some national non-profit organizations that serve vulnerable target populations, such as military service members recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, outcomes based accountability and program effectiveness are mission-centric. This paper aims to describe the background, framework, and lessons learned from a multi-year, national program evaluation of The Mission Continues' Fellowship Program. For this summative evaluation, standardized measures were used to assess the biopsychosocial outcomes of participating in this veteran-focused civic service and leadership program with post-9/11/01 veterans. Consistent use of rigorous program evaluation methods and standardized measures supports the optimization and dissemination of best practices and evidence-based programs for the military and veteran populations.

Family issues are common among returned Post-9/11 veterans. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression are each independently related to divorce while community ties and social support are protective factors for the family during reintegration. Evidence from elders on the benefits of one intervention, community volunteering, may indicate "spillover effects" of these benefits into the family. Few measures exist to assess the impact of military veteran volunteering on the family. We report: (1) an adaption of a benefits measure from elders to veterans, (2) its preliminary reliability and validity, and (3) differences among subgroups. Reintegrating Post-9/11 veterans (N = 346) who completed a 6-month, stipended volunteer program were surveyed. Perceived impact of volunteering on the family was assessed after completion of the program using an 11-item self-report measure. Rank-based nonparametric tests were used to detect significant differences among subgroups. Preliminary findings support the scale's adaptation to veterans, internal consistency, and construct validity. At least one perceived family impact indicator differed significantly (p < .05) between subgroups based on demographic and psychological factors. Veterans in this civic service program perceived that their volunteering may have impacted their families.

Veterans and military personnel may be at higher risk for developing addictions due to increased prevalence rates of co-occurring mental health disorders including posttraumatic stress and substance abuse disorders. However, clinicians may feel unprepared to assess and to treat these co-occurring disorders, especially when it includes a behavioral addiction such as gambling. Clinical social work and clinical behavior analysis are two fields with complementary interdisciplinary approaches that can lead to improved client-centered outcomes. Yet, limited evidence exists to guide interdisciplinary treatment teams in effective treatment of gambling addictions and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The current article provides an interdisciplinary treatment model to assist clinicians in selecting appropriate evidence-based assessments and treatments. A case example focuses on the use of assessment tools and treatment approaches drawn from recommendations from best practice guidelines for veterans. Finally, resources related trauma and addictions are presented.

Volunteering as a health promotion intervention, improves physical health, mental health, and social outcomes particularly in older adults, yet limited research exists for veterans. We conducted a preliminary study to explore whether volunteering impacts a variety of biopsychosocial outcomes, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, among returning military veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. A survey enrolling a prospective cohort of United States (U.S.) veterans who served in the military after 11 September 2001 and who participated in a national civic service program was conducted. A total of 346 veterans completed standardized health, mental health, and psychosocial self-report measures before and after the program. Statistically significant differences were detected in overall health rating, level of emotional difficulty, PTSD and depression symptoms, purpose in life, self-efficacy, social isolation, and the perceived availability of social support at program completion. Screening positive for probable PTSD predicted improved perceived self-efficacy while probable depression predicted a decrease in loneliness, an increase in purpose in life, and an increase in perceived social support, at program completion. Volunteering was associated with significant improvements in health, mental health and social outcomes in returning veterans.

Background: Suicide is a significant public health problem worldwide that requires evidence-based prevention efforts. One approach to prevention is gatekeeper training. Gatekeeper training programs for community members have demonstrated positive changes in knowledge and attitudes about suicide. Changes in gatekeeper skills have not been well established. Aims: To assess and to predict the impact of a brief, gatekeeper training on community members' observed skills. Methods: Participants in a community gatekeeper training were employees at US universities. 50 participants were randomly selected for skills assessment and videotaped interacting with a standardized actor prior to and following training. Tapes were reliably rated for general and suicide-specific skills. Results: Gatekeeper skills increased from pre- to posttest: 10% of participants met criteria for acceptable gatekeeper skills before training, while 54% met criteria after training. Pretraining variables did not predict increased skills. Limitations: Results do not provide conclusions about the relationship between observed gatekeeper skills and actual use of those skills in the future. Conclusions: Gatekeeper training enhances suicide-specific skills for the majority of participants. Other strategies, such as behavioral rehearsal, may be necessary to enhance skills in the remaining participants.

Prevalence and predictors of depression, a debilitating medical illness, are unknown among officers working in jails. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with jail officers at four facilities, utilizing age, ethnicity, gender, musculoskeletal back disorder, global physical health and mental health, and psychological well-being as predictor variables. Descriptive analyses detailed prevalence, and hierarchical regression models identified depression predictors. The prevalence of depression among jail officers was high and strongly influenced by job burnout over and above other health indicators. Mitigation of workplace stressors and identification of targeted interventions are needed to reduce risks for depression among jail officers.