title: The impact of a civic service program on biopsychosocial outcomes of post 9/11 U.S. military veterans.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Saint Louis University, College for Public Health and Social Justice, School of Social Work, Saint Louis, MO, USA. Electronic address: mmatthie@slu.edu.
authors.forename: Monica M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Matthieu
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky, School of Social Work, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.affiliation: Family Medicine Residency, Halifax Health, Daytona Beach, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robertson-Blackmore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D035141:Voluntary Programs; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Brain injury; Depression; Health; Loneliness; Mental health; Post-traumatic; Reintegration; Self-efficacy; Social support; Stress disorders; Veterans; Volunteer