Health-Related Quality of Life: A Qualitative Exploration of Employment Concerns of Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Bibliographic Details
Title: Health-Related Quality of Life: A Qualitative Exploration of Employment Concerns of Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Language: English
Authors: Dillahunt-Aspillaga, Christina (ORCID 0000-0002-1231-2023), Haun, Jolie, Lind, Jason D., Patel, Nitin (ORCID 0000-0003-4769-7450), Antinori, Nicole (ORCID 0000-0001-8423-6237), Luther, Stephen L.
Source: Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education. 2019 33(1):24-40.
Availability: Springer Publishing Company. 11 West 42nd Street 15th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Tel: 877-687-7476; Tel: 212-431-4370; Fax: 212-941-7842; e-mail: subscriptions@springerpub.com; Web site: http://www.springerpub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2019
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Veterans, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Quality of Life, Health, Well Being, Employment, Unemployment, Rehabilitation, Psychological Patterns, Interpersonal Relationship, Social Isolation, Violence, Aggression, Sleep, Rehabilitation Counseling, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Locus of Control
DOI: 10.1891/2168-6653.33.1.24
ISSN: 2168-6653
Abstract: Background/Purpose: Military veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increased rates of unemployment compared to civilian populations. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is identified as a key outcome of long-term health and well-being. The purpose of this article is to (a) explore how employment concerns of veterans with deployment-related (DR) PTSD are associated with HRQOL outcomes, and (b) discuss implications for rehabilitation research, policy, and education. Objective: To (a) explore how employment concerns of veterans with deployment-related (DR) PTSD are associated with HRQOL outcomes and (b) discuss implications for rehabilitation research, policy and education. Setting: Three Veterans Health Administration Centers (VHAs). Design/Method: Descriptive qualitative study examining employment-related domains identified through focus groups. Findings: Sample consisted of 58 veterans with DR-PTSD (N = 9). Veterans report that HRQOL is affected by PTSD and unemployment. Specifically, themes emerged in the areas of anger, social roles/relationships, task performance, avoidance/isolation, hypervigilance, control over the environment, violence/aggression, and sleep interference. Conclusion: Currently, there are limited measures of HRQOL and employment in veterans with DR-PTSD. This understanding may contribute to development of a more relevant and sensitive measure of DR-PTSD HRQOL, which may facilitate improved research, program evaluation, and clinical practice. Rehabilitation counselors are well positioned to provide services to veterans, but may lack the educational foundation and training needed to support this unique population. Development of military-specific training and curriculum is needed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2019
Accession Number: EJ1212791
Database: ERIC
More Details
ISSN:2168-6653
DOI:10.1891/2168-6653.33.1.24
Published in:Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education
Language:English