Exploring Deployment Stress and Reintegration in Army National Guard Chaplains

Completed

• Conditions: Combat Stress Disorder

• Registration Number: NCT01330888
• Lead Sponsor: US Department of Veterans Affairs

Brief Summary

The purpose of this 2-year pilot study is to explore the impact of deployment on the psychosocial and health characteristics and reintegration of Military Chaplains, specifically those of the Army National Guard (ARNG). This pilot will serve as the foundation for subsequent investigations of chaplains from multiple branches of the military. In addition to spiritual and religious support, Military Chaplains play a key role in the behavioral health of deployed service-members, routinely participating in suicide prevention training, conducting critical event debriefing, and identifying service-members at risk for combat and operational stress reactions1. A high risk group for exposure to trauma2, Military Chaplains have suffered brain injuries, gunshot wounds and blast injuries in OEF/OIF Theater3. In addition, many report combat related stress issues such as compassion fatigue, PTSD, and reintegration issues3. While the traumatic experiences of OEF/OIF deployed troops have been well documented, the effects on military chaplains caring for these service-members have received little attention in the research to date. We are collaborating with the National Guard Chaplain Corps Leadership on this program of research. The aims of this 2-year pilot cross-sectional study focus on describing and exploring deployment and its impact on psychosocial, health characteristics and reintegration of ARNG chaplains using a mixed method approach (web-based survey, in-depth interviews, social network analysis).

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-04
• Study First Submitted: 2011-04-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-04-06
• Study First Posted: 2011-04-07
• Primary Completion: 2013-03
• Study Completion: 2013-03
• Status Verified: 2015-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-02-18
• Last Update Posted: 2015-02-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 102

Inclusion Criteria

• current, active members of ARNG during timeframe of OIF/OEF/OND
• Chaplains
• able to be contacted by email for survey explanation and participation
• consent to participate in interview or network questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria

• not current, active members of ARNG during timeframe of OIF/OEF/OND
• not Chaplains
• not able to be contacted by email for survey explanation and participation
• do not consent to participate in interview or network questionnaire

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
observational	2 years

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital; 🇺🇸 Tampa, Florida, United States