title: Protective mechanisms and prevention of violence and aggression in veterans.
abstract: Although a subset of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans show aggression toward others after they return home from military service, little is known about protective mechanisms that could be bolstered to prevent violence. A national longitudinal survey was conducted between 2009 and 2011 using a random sample of veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. One thousand and ninety veterans, from 50 states representing all military branches, completed 2 waves of data collection, 1 year apart (retention rate = 79%). The final sample resembled the U.S. military post 9/11 in terms of age, sex, ethnicity, geography, and service branch. Protective mechanisms in socioeconomic (money to cover basic needs, stable employment), psychosocial (resilience, perceiving control over one's life, social support), and physical (healthy sleep, no physical pain) domains were examined. We found these protective mechanisms predicted decreased aggression and violence at follow-up, particularly among higher risk veterans. Multivariable analyses confirmed that protective mechanisms lowered violence through their interaction with risk factors. This study identifies protective mechanisms related to decreased community violence in veterans and indicates that rehabilitation aimed at improving socioeconomic, psychosocial, and physical well-being has potential promise to reduce aggression and violence among veterans after returning home from military service.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
authors: Eric B
authors: EB
authors: Elbogen
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
authors: Sally C
authors: SC
authors: Johnson
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
authors: Virginia M
authors: VM
authors: Newton
authors: Center for Health Care Evaluation, Health Services Research and Development Service, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Timko
authors: VA National Center for PTSD and Psychology Service, VA Boston Healthcare System.
authors: Jennifer J
authors: JJ
authors: Vasterling
authors: VHA Office of Public Health.
authors: Lynn M
authors: LM
authors: Van Male
authors: Durham VA Medical Center.
authors: H Ryan
authors: HR
authors: Wagner
authors: Durham VA Medical Center.
authors: Jean C
authors: JC
authors: Beckham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*