scholarly journals Social and economic costs of gambling problems and related harm among UK military veterans

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjmilitary-2021-001892
Author(s):  
Shaun Harris ◽  
R D Pockett ◽  
G Dighton ◽  
K Wood ◽  
C Armour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Societal Costs ◽  
Related Harm

IntroductionMilitary veterans are at heightened risk of problem gambling. Little is known about the costs of problem gambling and related harm among United Kingdom (UK) Armed Forces (AF) veterans. We investigated the social and economic costs of gambling among a large sample of veterans through differences in healthcare and social service resource use compared with age-matched and gender-matched non-veterans from the UK AF Veterans’ Health and Gambling Study.MethodsAn online survey measured sociodemographic characteristics, gambling experience and problem severity, mental health and healthcare resource utilisation. Healthcare provider, personal social service and societal costs were estimated as total adjusted mean costs and utility, with cost-consequence analysis of a single timepoint.ResultsVeterans in our sample had higher healthcare, social service and societal costs and lower utility. Veterans had greater contacts with the criminal justice system, received more social service benefits, had more lost work hours and greater accrued debt. A cost difference of £590 (95% CI −£1016 to −£163) was evident between veterans with scores indicating problem gambling and those reporting no problems. Costs varied by problem gambling status.ConclusionsOur sample of UK AF veterans has higher healthcare, social service and societal costs than non-veterans. Veterans experiencing problem gambling are more costly but have no reduction in quality of life.

scholarly journals Gender differences in barriers to mental healthcare for UK military veterans: a preliminary investigation

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjmilitary-2020-001754
Author(s):  
Lauren Rose Godier-McBard ◽  
G Cable ◽  
A D Wood ◽  
M Fossey
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Free Text ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionLimited UK research focuses on female military veterans’ gender-related experiences and issues when accessing civilian mental healthcare support. This study sought to illuminate a preliminary understanding of any gender differences in barriers that may discourage them accessing mental healthcare support.MethodsA total of 100 participants completed an open online survey of UK triservice veterans who identified as having experienced postmilitary mental health problems. They completed a 30-item Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation scale and were asked to elaborate using free-text questions. Resulting quantitative data were analysed for gender-related differences, while the qualitative text was thematically explored.ResultsWhile stigma, previous poor experience of mental healthcare and a lack of trust in civilian providers were found to act as barriers to postmilitary support for both men and women, significantly more women reported that their gender had also impacted on their intention to seek help. Women also commented on the impact of gender-related discrimination during service on their help-seeking experiences.ConclusionsWhile efforts are being made by the UK Ministry of Defence to reduce barriers to mental healthcare for those still serving in the Armed Forces, it has been more difficult to provide a similar level of support to the veteran population. With little veteran research focusing on the specific experiences of women, this study suggests that female veterans encounter specific access barriers and issues related to their gender. Further research is therefore needed to ensure these findings are addressed.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian Armed Forces Veterans who live with chronic pain

2021 ◽  
pp. e20210042
Author(s):  
Manon Choinière ◽  
M. Gabrielle Pagé ◽  
Anaïs Lacasse ◽  
Lise Dassieu ◽  
James M. Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
General Population ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Canadian Armed Forces ◽  
To Come

LAY SUMMARY Chronic pain is more frequent in military Veterans than in the general population. The objective of this study was to assess whether the COVID-19 pandemic has had a greater impact on Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans who live with chronic pain compared to non-Veterans. An online survey of Canadian adults with chronic pain was conducted between April and May 2020; 76 respondents reported having served in the CAF and were compared with 76 similar non-Veterans. About two thirds of the Veterans had been living with chronic pain for longer than 10 years. Two thirds reported worsened pain since the pandemic began. Nearly half experienced moderate to severe psychological distress. These changes were similar to those in non-Veterans with chronic pain. A significant number of Veterans and non-Veterans changed their pain treatments due to the pandemic. In summary, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restriction measures did not have a greater impact in CAF Veterans with chronic pain compared with non-Veterans. However, changes in chronic pain supports are needed to be better prepared for COVID-19 waves to come and future health crises.

scholarly journals Military Veterans and Welfare Reform: Bridging Two Policy Worlds through Qualitative Longitudinal Research

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Lisa Scullion ◽  
Katy Jones ◽  
Peter Dwyer ◽  
Celia Hynes ◽  
Philip Martin
Keyword(s):  
Welfare Reform ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Uk

There has been an increasing focus in the UK on the support provided to the Armed Forces community, with the publication of the Armed Forces Covenant (2011), the Strategy for our Veterans (2018) and the first ever Office for Veterans’ Affairs (2019). There is also an important body of research – including longitudinal research – focusing on transitions from military to civilian life, much of which is quantitative. At the same time, the UK has witnessed a period of unprecedented welfare reform. However, research focused on veterans’ interactions with the social security system has been largely absent. This article draws on the authors’ experiences of undertaking qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) to address this knowledge gap. We reflect on how QLR was essential in engaging policy makers enabling the research to bridge the two parallel policy worlds of veterans’ support and welfare reform, leading to significant policy and practice impact.

Military Veterans’ Transferrable Skills

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie E. Davis ◽  
Sarah E. Minnis
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Civilian Workforce ◽  
Retention Initiatives ◽  
Civilian Employment ◽  
Hrd Professionals

The Problem Military veterans face a number of employment challenges as they transition from military service to civilian employment. Although the American workforce has become much more diverse, there continues to be a lack of understanding and misperceptions about veterans’ skillsets and military experiences which inhibits successful employment after military service. Veterans are a source of talent for civilian employers as they bring distinctive capabilities and valuable skills developed through real-world, high-pressure experience, but some human resource development (HRD) practitioners may not be aware of the vast array of skills, training, and knowledge that veterans bring to the civilian workforce in addition to supervisory and management skills acquired during their time in the armed forces. Given the civilian public’s general lack of knowledge about military experience, HRD practitioners, in particular, may be less able to effectively evaluate and integrate veterans’ military experiences, skills, and capabilities in the civilian employment sector. These misunderstandings are contributing factors impacting veterans’ ability to transfer their skills from military to business cultures. The Solution It is imperative that HRD practitioners understand the potentially strong contributions and societal misperceptions regarding the business value of military veterans’ skills and experiences. This article will explore distinctive capabilities of veterans that make them assets in the civilian workforce as well as some potential concerns and highlight HRD’s role in recognizing and facilitating the development of veteran hiring and retention initiatives in civilian employment. Educating HRD professionals about how to integrate military veterans’ skills, knowledge, and abilities in business cultures and mitigate concerns is vital to promote veterans’ contributions to civilian organizations and is necessary for effective hiring and talent development. The Stakeholders Veterans, HRD professionals, scholars, practitioners, and policy makers interested in the HRD field, private sector, federal, nonfederal public sector, and U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Gamblers’ aces in the hole: the effect of erroneous cognitions on dysfunctional gambling

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donata Tania Vergura
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gambling Behaviour ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gambling Involvement

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether gambler’s cognitive errors affect gambling involvement and addiction. As the popularity of gambling has grown, questions are being raised about its excessive use and factors related to addictive behaviours. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey on 508 gamblers was conducted. Structural equation modelling was used to investigate the relationships among gambling beliefs, gambling involvement and problem gambling. Findings – Among the three sets of erroneous beliefs investigated, luck and superstition were significant predictors of both gambling involvement and the severity of gambling problems (according to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)), while the illusion of control showed a negative relationship with the PGSI. Moreover, gambling involvement positively affected the potential risk of disease and mediates the relationship between luck and superstition and PGSI. Research limitations/implications – Because not all cognitive dimensions apparently influence gambling behaviour, future research should extend the analysis to include other variables that may moderate or mediate the causal relationship. Practical implications – The results are useful to marketers in developing social marketing campaigns wishing to discourage gambling. Moreover, factors that influence gambling involvement and addiction may be used as diagnostic tools to correct gamblers behaviour. Originality/value – The paper proposes a deeper exploration of the relationships among beliefs, gambling involvement and dysfunctional gambling and an appropriate scale to capture the entire spectrum of gambler’s beliefs in relation to every form of gambling activity.

Investigating Entrepreneurship Among Nigerian Retired Military Veterans

2021 ◽  
pp. 119-147
Author(s):  
Sanya Ojo
Keyword(s):  
Military Training ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Career Options

The condition of survival within the Nigerian Armed Forces, in terms of post-retirement career options, has inadvertently produced a growing number of ex-service members (veterans) who turned to entrepreneurship to earn income and remain active. However, against the alleged failure of entrepreneurship in this group, this chapter sets out to investigate the nature and characteristics of veteran entrepreneurship. Through the application of case study methodology, the study reveals that veteran entrepreneurship does not differ significantly to civilian entrepreneurship. Veteran entrepreneurs confront the same challenges as their civilian counterparts while veterans' military backgrounds and military training appear to have both facilitating and inhibiting effects on veteran entrepreneurships in Nigeria.

“Don't We Take Care of Our Veterans?” The Critical Need for Veteran's Health Services Infertility Services for Veterans: Policies, Challenges, and Opportunities

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (05/06) ◽  
pp. 227-231
Author(s):  
Lee Woodruff ◽  
Gilbert L. Mottla
Keyword(s):  
Armed Forces ◽  
Home Front ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
After Effects ◽  
Global War On Terrorism ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Veteran’S Health ◽  
To Come ◽  
Global War

AbstractSince October 2001, more than 2.7 million men and women of the armed forces have been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, or in support of the “Global War on Terrorism.” Like previous wars, our nation will feel the after-effects of those deployments for a generation to come, as the wounds of war do not just affect the veteran, but impact their family and friends once they return to the home front. But unlike previous wars, less than 1% of our population serves their country in an all-volunteer military. This small percentage of Americans who volunteer to serve us and protect our freedoms (no matter what you might think about the politics surrounding wars) is increasingly removed from the rest of the population who choose other careers and options. Therefore, most of us are uneducated and unconnected to the often isolating experiences and frustrations of our veterans when they return to the home front and try to retake the stage of their former lives. In this discussion, we share the compelling stories of military members and veterans who struggle with infertility. We describe the need for policy and expansion of services for infertility care in the Department of Defense and Veterans Health Administration, and the challenges and opportunities that exist.

scholarly journals PALLIATIVE CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF A RURAL AND FRONTIER STATE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S134-S134
Author(s):  
Catherine Carrico ◽  
Andrea Slosser ◽  
Robin A Barry ◽  
Christine McKibbin
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
System Transformation ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Service Sectors ◽  
Rural State ◽  
The University

Abstract Background: Palliative Care (PC) is a valuable tool for improving the lives of people living with chronic illness. However, access to PC is limited in rural areas. The purpose of this study is to describe the current PC needs and barriers to care in a rural state. Methods: An online survey was disseminated through professional organizations, licensing boards, and the University of Wyoming. Rurality of counties was classified using Rural Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC). Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS. Results: Responses were received from 336 individuals across 20 of 23 counties (i.e., RUCC range 3 - 9; 1=most metropolitan, 9=most rural). The majority worked in healthcare or social service sectors (n = 265, 78.8%). Approximately one-half (n = 119, 50.6%) of these individuals endorsed providing PC (i.e., typically symptom management, supportive resources, and family support). Over one-half of respondents (n = 173, 51.5%) rated availability of PC services in their communities as “poor” or “somewhat good.” Key barriers to providing PC were lack of patient information and knowledge (n = 215), access to PC specialists (n = 183), and funding and reimbursement (n = 181). Approximately one third of healthcare professionals (n = 78, 32.8%) had received formal training in PC. A majority of healthcare and social service respondents (n = 139, 59.1%) endorsed interest in PC continuing education. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the state of PC across a rural state. Results highlight the need to design accessible education and implement system transformation to improve PC access.

America's Neglected Veterans: 1.7 Million Who Served Have No Health Coverage

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffie Woolhandler ◽  
David U. Himmelstein ◽  
Ronald Distajo ◽  
Karen E. Lasser ◽  
Danny McCormick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Vietnam Era

Many U.S. military veterans lack health insurance and are ineligible for care in Veterans Administration health care facilities. Using two recently released national government surveys—the 2004 Current Population Survey and the 2002 National Health Interview Survey—the authors examined how many veterans are uninsured (lacking health insurance coverage and not receiving care from the VA) and whether uninsured veterans have problems in access to care. In 2003, 1.69 million military veterans neither had health insurance nor received ongoing care at Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals or clinics; the number of uninsured veterans increased by 235,159 since 2000. The proportion of nonelderly veterans who were uninsured rose from 9.9 percent in 2000 to 11.9 percent in 2003. An additional 3.90 million members of veterans' households were also uninsured and ineligible for VHA care. Medicare covered virtually all Korean War and World War II veterans, but 681,808 Vietnam-era veterans were uninsured (8.7 percent of the 7.85 million Vietnam-era vets). Among the 8.27 million veterans who served during “other eras” (including the Persian Gulf War), 12.1 percent (999,548) lacked health coverage. A disturbingly high number of veterans reported problems in obtaining needed medical care. By almost any measure, uninsured veterans had as much trouble getting medical care as other uninsured persons. Thus millions of U.S. veterans and their family members are uninsured and face grave difficulties in gaining access to even the most basic medical care.

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