title: Qualitative Inquiry Explores Health-Related Quality of Life of Female Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
abstract: As the number of female veterans increases, health care systems must be prepared to meet the individualized needs of this population. To date, published data on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) focus on quantitative data and primarily represent the male population. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the impact of PTSD on female veterans' HRQOL. A descriptive qualitative study used focus groups and demographic surveys to achieve data collection in a sample of veterans with PTSD. This report focuses on the analysis of a sample of 12 females to explore PTSD HRQOL experiences unique to female veterans. Female veterans reported several areas in which their HRQOL was impacted adversely in social participation, physical, cognitive, and emotional aspects of their lives. Issues with self-medication and substance abuse were also reported by participants. Female participants' perceptions about Veterans Health Administration were also discussed, highlighting unmet needs when receiving care for PTSD. These data provide unique insights from the perspective of female veterans with PTSD about their HRQOL and receiving care within the Veterans Health Administration health care system. These data can inform future research to better address the needs of female veterans living with PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Center of Innovation on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 8900 Grand Oak Circle, Tampa, FL 33637.
authors.forename: Jolie N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Haun
authors.affiliation: Center of Innovation on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 8900 Grand Oak Circle, Tampa, FL 33637.
authors.forename: Allyson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duffy
authors.affiliation: Center of Innovation on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 8900 Grand Oak Circle, Tampa, FL 33637.
authors.forename: Jason D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lind
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation, New York University Langone Medical Center, 240 East 38th Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10016.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kisala
authors.affiliation: Center of Innovation on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 8900 Grand Oak Circle, Tampa, FL 33637.
authors.forename: Stephen L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Luther
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*