Feasibility, acceptability, and initial outcomes of a psychological adjustment and reintegration program for transitioned military veterans.
Humans
Veterans
/ psychology
Male
Feasibility Studies
Adult
Middle Aged
Australia
Female
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
/ methods
Quality of Life
/ psychology
Emotional Adjustment
Longitudinal Studies
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
/ methods
Adaptation, Psychological
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
/ psychology
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
/ psychology
Adjustment
Intervention
Military
Program
Reintegration
Transition
Journal
BMC psychology
ISSN: 2050-7283
Titre abrégé: BMC Psychol
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101627676
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
29 Oct 2024
29 Oct 2024
Historique:
received:
08
07
2023
accepted:
18
10
2024
medline:
29
10
2024
pubmed:
29
10
2024
entrez:
29
10
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Reintegration and adjustment to civilian life after military service is crucial for veterans' mental and physical health. However, there is a lack of evidence-based interventions in Australia that specifically address the psychological and cultural factors associated with improved adjustment and mental health in this group. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial outcomes of a novel group intervention program, developed to address this gap in supports and services for Australian veterans. A non-controlled, within-subjects longitudinal design was employed with a feasibility framework including assessment of demand, implementation, integration, experience, perceived effectiveness, and burden or discomfort. The program included eight weekly 2.5-hour group sessions using cognitive-behavioural and acceptance and commitment therapy techniques. Participants included 24 transitioned veterans who completed the Military-Civilian Adjustment and Reintegration Measure, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. High participant ratings of engagement, experience and usefulness of the program were found, as well as perceived improvement in adjustment to civilian life as a result of the program. Sound program retention (82.8%), completion (87.5%), and manual adherence rates (89.6%) were also found. Significant improvements were found in adjustment and reintegration scores from pre-intervention to post-intervention (p = < 0.001) and from pre-intervention to follow-up (p = < 0.05), with large effect size (η This study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of a novel group intervention program designed for military veterans in Australia. The program showed promising initial evidence of effectiveness in improving adjustment and reintegration to civilian life and provides an essential first step towards addressing a substantial gap in services for veterans struggling to adjust to civilian life. A randomised controlled trial may be an appropriate next step. ACTRN12622000172707. 02/02/2022. Retrospectively registered.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Reintegration and adjustment to civilian life after military service is crucial for veterans' mental and physical health. However, there is a lack of evidence-based interventions in Australia that specifically address the psychological and cultural factors associated with improved adjustment and mental health in this group. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial outcomes of a novel group intervention program, developed to address this gap in supports and services for Australian veterans.
METHODS
METHODS
A non-controlled, within-subjects longitudinal design was employed with a feasibility framework including assessment of demand, implementation, integration, experience, perceived effectiveness, and burden or discomfort. The program included eight weekly 2.5-hour group sessions using cognitive-behavioural and acceptance and commitment therapy techniques. Participants included 24 transitioned veterans who completed the Military-Civilian Adjustment and Reintegration Measure, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up.
RESULTS
RESULTS
High participant ratings of engagement, experience and usefulness of the program were found, as well as perceived improvement in adjustment to civilian life as a result of the program. Sound program retention (82.8%), completion (87.5%), and manual adherence rates (89.6%) were also found. Significant improvements were found in adjustment and reintegration scores from pre-intervention to post-intervention (p = < 0.001) and from pre-intervention to follow-up (p = < 0.05), with large effect size (η
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of a novel group intervention program designed for military veterans in Australia. The program showed promising initial evidence of effectiveness in improving adjustment and reintegration to civilian life and provides an essential first step towards addressing a substantial gap in services for veterans struggling to adjust to civilian life. A randomised controlled trial may be an appropriate next step.
ANZCTR REGISTRATION NUMBER
UNASSIGNED
ACTRN12622000172707.
DATE OF REGISTRATION
UNASSIGNED
02/02/2022.
TYPE OF REGISTRATION
UNASSIGNED
Retrospectively registered.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39468675
doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-02097-7
pii: 10.1186/s40359-024-02097-7
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
597Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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