Linking National Guard Veterans With Need to Mental Health Care
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Sponsor
- VA Office of Research and Development
- Enrollment
- 3015
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- PTSD symptoms
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 8 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This project added an evaluation/research component to an existing peer outreach program, implemented for over 1100 soldiers in the Michigan Army National Guard. The study aims were to: 1) evaluate the implementation of the B2B program to inform ongoing program modifications and facilitate future dissemination efforts, 2) assess whether the B2B program increases mental health and substance use treatment initiation and treatment retention among returning National Guard soldiers, and 3) explore whether the B2B program improves mental health symptoms, deceases hazardous alcohol use, and improves soldier well-being.
Detailed Description
The study aims were to: 1) evaluate the implementation of the B2B program to inform ongoing program modifications and facilitate future dissemination efforts, 2) assess whether the B2B program increases mental health and substance use treatment initiation and treatment retention among returning National Guard soldiers, and 3) explore whether the B2B program improves mental health symptoms, deceases hazardous alcohol use, and improves soldier well-being. The study had three components which addressed each of the three specific aims. The first component assessed B2B implementation using an embedded mixed methods design. This evaluation included real-time assessment and adaptation of the program, as well as retrospective evaluation of implementation process, sustainability, and potential for spread. The second component addressed the impact of B2B on treatment initiation and retention. Preliminary analyses were completed using regression analyses. Pending additional data from the DoD, an interrupted time series design to assess Michigan National Guard soldiers' VA and non-VA services use in multiple time periods before and after the date of B2B implementation will be conducted.. The third study component assessed the impact of B2B on MI ARNG soldiers' outcomes using longitudinal survey data and adjusting for baseline mental health status using data from the Post Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA).
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Michigan Army National Guard soldiers who have returned from OEF/OIF deployments between August 2010 and December 2012.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Soldiers who did not return from deployment during the study time period.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
PTSD symptoms
Time Frame: 6 and 12 months post deployment
The PCL is a 17-item self-report checklist of PTSD symptoms based closely on the DSM-IV criteria. The PCL-M is a military version and questions refer to "a stressful military experience". Total possible scores range from 17 to 85. Higher scores indicate more symptoms of PTSD and a cut-off score of 50 is used for indicating a probable diagnosis of combat-related PTSD.
Hazardous alcohol use
Time Frame: 6 and 12 months post deployment
Hazardous alcohol use was assessed using the AUDIT-C, a 3-item alcohol screen for hazardous drinking and active alcohol use disorders (including alcohol abuse or dependence). In men, a score of 4 or more is considered positive, and in women, a score of 3 or more is considered positive.
Depressive symptoms
Time Frame: 6 and 12 months post deployment
The 21-item Beck Depression Inventory-2nd Edition (BDI-II) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Total score of 0-13 is considered minimal range, 14-19 is mild, 20-28 is moderate, and 29-63 is severe.
Awareness of B2B Program
Time Frame: 6 and 12 months post deployment
National Guard soldiers were considered to be aware of the B2B program if they endorsed a survey item asking about awareness of the B2B program in the MIARNG. The question was, "I am aware that the MI ARNG has a B2B program," with response items of "No" and "Yes."
Secondary Outcomes
- Mental Health service utilization(6 and 12 months post deployment)