The study "The psychological and physical health and well-being of New Zealand contemporary Veterans" represents one of the few large population studies conducted on contemporary Veterans in New Zealand. Included in this survey was an open-ended question allowing respondents to articulate their thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the Veteran experience.

Responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis framework informed by Mayring's (2022) eight-step content analysis process. A hybrid deductive-inductive approach was used to generate sub-themes from participants' responses, which were categorized under the World Health Organization's four domains of well-being (psychological, social, environmental, and physical).

In this study, responses from 1,037 Veterans were analyzed and put into 22 sub-themes and four overarching themes. While many participants expressed positive gains due to their military service, challenges in psychological, social, environmental, and physical well-being were evident. Positive outcomes included gaining educational achievements, career skills, and personal growth and development. Challenges included issues such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, moral injury, identity confusion, internalized stigma, stereotyping, the strain of demanding work on family life, hearing loss, musculoskeletal problems, and concerns regarding toxic chemical exposure.

Veterans face challenges in all four domains of well-being. Despite encountering difficulties, there is a reluctance or social stigma associated with Veterans seeking help for their well-being concerns, compounding the challenges they face. Additionally, Veterans perceive a need for more accessible and effective support services.

Veterans experience substantial health disparities, which are compounded in rural areas where health care access is limited. Many Veterans experience service-associated adverse mental health (MH) disorders and substance use disorders (SUDs). These may be exacerbated in rural communities where stigma toward MH disorders and SUDs may be prevalent. Thus, it is necessary to identify rural Veterans at risk of service-related MH-SUD and provide treatment outside the context of formal clinical venues. One means to intervene may be the implementation of field-based screening and treatment for moral injury (MI), which is recognized as being prevalent among military Veterans and is associated with SUD. Recent work has validated survey instruments that may quantify the degree of MI. Furthermore, new data indicate that a self-directed protocol may be effective in lessening MI impact. Both assessment and treatment are readily implemented in the field and may be effectively used by harm reduction organizations, which are already positioned to meet and address the needs of people who use substances and are trusted by their clients as health partners. Incorporating aspects of screening, treatment, and formal care referral may allow these organizations to serve as a bridge between rural Veterans with MH-SUD and formal medical care.

This study explores the knowledge, acquisition, and application of mental skills among Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) family members, a population often overlooked in mental health and wellness research. While mental skills such as goal setting, self-talk, imagery, coping, and resilience have been widely studied in high-performance and military populations, little is known about their relevance or utility among CAF support populations.

Utilizing an embedded mixed methods design, data were collected from 180 survey respondents and 11 focus group participants across diverse family roles and geographical contexts.

Findings reveal varied awareness and understanding of mental skills, with participants frequently applying skills subconsciously despite limited training or support. Focus group data uncovered four key themes: 1) confusion between mental skills and mental health terminology, 2) life-based acquisition of skills, 3) widespread dissatisfaction with support, and 4) interconnected use of mental skills in positive and challenging contexts. Participants expressed a strong desire for more proactive, accessible, and relevant support tailored to the unique demands of military family life. A recurring concern was the inconsistent quality and accessibility of mental skills resources within the CAF, often leading families to seek assistance externally. Additionally, stigma and logistical barriers limited effective engagement with internal resources.

Importantly, this study examines mental skills needs of CAF families through their own lens, providing critical insights for policy and program development. Findings emphasize the importance of recognizing CAF families as users - not just beneficiaries - of mental skills training, and advocate for dedicated, contextually sensitive support to empower families in their vital caregiving and adaptive roles.

Research examining the needs of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans often focus on mental health and combat experiences post-Afghanistan. However, studies examining the well-being, long-term health, and support needs of Veterans and military spouses following non-combat traumatic incidents are less common. To address this gap, we examined the well-being, health, and support needs of Veteran crewmen and military spouses two decades after Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Chicoutimi submarine fire.

We conducted qualitative in-depth, semi-structured interviews with surviving crewmen, Care and Custody Team (CCT), and spouses involved in the HMCS Chicoutimi submarine fire to gather multiple perspectives on the long-term impacts of this traumatic incident. Template analysis was used to identify key themes.

We identified five common themes: 1) peri-incident experiences, 2) long-term well-being, 3) access to care, 4) coping, and 5) purpose. Results suggested a variety of long-term physical health issues and mental health symptoms that had a negative effect on Veteran crewmens' well-being and the well-being of their spouses. The study showcased how each population perceived support - or the lack thereof - from the CAF organization, Canadian Forces Health Services, and individuals (e.g., family, peers, and colleagues); it highlighted distinct coping strategies used by crewmembers, the CCT, and their spouses.

As the first study to examine long-term effects of trauma on CAF Veteran crewmen who experienced a disaster at sea, the study offers novel insights into the evolving care needs of Veterans, highlighting trauma's impact on aging Veterans and their spouses over two decades.

The transition from military to civilian life can be a significant challenge for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans, with approximately 39% experiencing difficulties. Veterans living with chronic pain face unique challenges during this transition, with impacts on their physical, mental, and social well-being. This study explores the experiences and needs of Veterans living with chronic pain during their transition to civilian life and examines the implications of chronic pain on various life domains.

This qualitative and exploratory study investigated the effects of chronic pain on CAF Veterans' transitions to civilian life. Two three-hour focus groups were held with Veterans (N = 8) to explore their experiences with pain and its impacts on their social functioning during the transition to civilian life. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Participants reported stigmatization of pain during military service, challenges in accessing civilian health care, significant emotional and relational impacts of chronic pain, and the importance of adaptive coping strategies. Participants also highlighted the need for peer support programs and specialized chronic pain clinics to facilitate the transition to civilian life and improve Veterans' quality of life.

Chronic pain significantly complicates CAF Veterans' transitions to civilian life by affecting various aspects of life and adjustment processes. The findings underscore the need for enhanced access to civilian health care and Veterans Affairs Canada services, along with preventive interventions, to support Veterans' well-being and facilitate successful transitions.

Veterans and Veteran family members experiencing mental health problems face significant barriers when accessing military culturally competent providers trained in evidence-based treatments (EBTs). Telehealth is a low-cost solution that may increase access. Ongoing evaluation is needed to demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of this emerging practice among military members and their families. Accordingly, authors piloted a telehealth clinic in 2018-19 (before the COVID-19 pandemic). Clinicians in a U.S.-based non-Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic offered military culture informed EBTs (cognitive processing therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and the unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders) via telehealth to Veterans and Veteran family members. Self-report measures were used to assess psychological symptoms before and after treatment and one month post-treatment. Seventy-one percent of participants (Veteran or family member) completed treatment. Participants reported significant reductions in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, depressive symptoms, and psychological distress, and significantly increased physical and psychological quality of life following treatment. Treatment gains were maintained or improved after one month. Participants also reported high satisfaction with treatment and strong alliances with providers. Findings show promise for use of telehealth as a solution for connecting Veterans and Veteran family members to timely, high-quality, specialized care.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents with depressive disorder is characterized by recurrent impulsivity and is a predictor of future suicidal behavior, necessitating effective and feasible interventions. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for adolescents (MBCT-A), a first-line treatment for depression, was evaluated in this trial for its efficacy in reducing NSSI in this population.

In this randomized, single-blind, controlled trial, 94 hospitalized adolescents diagnosed with depressive disorder and engaging in NSSI were allocated to either MBCT-A plus treatment-as-usual (TAU) or TAU alone. The primary outcome was the severity of NSSI, measured by the Adolescent Self-Harm Scale (ASHS) at baseline, post treatment (4 weeks), and at 1-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes encompassed symptoms of anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, risk behaviors, life satisfaction, resilience, rumination, coping styles, and mindfulness. Both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses were conducted.

Both ITT and PP analyses revealed significant between-group differences in NSSI severity at 4 weeks. Compared to the control group, the MBCT-A group showed significant improvements in mindfulness awareness, nonreactivity, emotional awareness, depressive symptoms, emotion regulation, and rumination (all P < 0.05). At the 1-month follow-up, the intervention group maintained a significant reduction in NSSI severity (interaction effect: F = 9.454, P < 0.001).

MBCT-A is effective in reducing NSSI behavior and improving mindfulness, emotion regulation, and depressive symptoms among adolescents with depressive disorder and NSSI. These findings support the clinical application of MBCT-A for this high-risk population.

Black women living with HIV (BWLH) have a heightened susceptibility to depression due to factors such as intimate partner violence (IPV), alcohol use, and substance abuse. This study examined the relationship between Substance Abuse, Violence, and Heavy Alcohol use (SAVA) among BWLH to determine whether this relationship creates distinct syndemic classes and whether class membership was associated with depressive symptoms.

Data for this study were drawn from the WAVE sub-study, which included women enrolled in the WIHS (n = 363) collected between April 2016 and April 2017 in four US cities. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups based on cannabis use, alcohol use, substance use, and violence. Regression analyses explored the association between baseline syndemic class membership and depressive symptoms at 6, 12, and 18 months.

Three latent classes were identified: "syndemic," "non-syndemic low substance use," and "non-syndemic moderate cannabis use." Women in the syndemic class, characterized by higher levels of substance use and violence, had significantly higher depressive symptoms compared to those in the non-syndemic classes. Longitudinal regression revealed that membership in the syndemic class was associated with a 54% increased risk of depressive symptoms at 6 months, 34% at 12 months, and 51% at 18 months. Bidirectional analyses indicated that baseline violence was associated with increased risk for substance use, and vice versa.

Findings highlight the high prevalence of SAVA syndemic factors and their association with depressive symptoms among BWLH and the need for integrated and culturally competent care that addresses both mental health and syndemic factors to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Objective: To explore the effects of occupational stress and job burnout on productivity loss among enterprise workers, and to provide evidence for workplace mental health intervention. Methods: From April to May 2024, five enterprises in a district of Shanghai were selected by stratified purposive sampling. A cross sectional survey was conducted to collect data on occupational stress, job burnout and productivity loss. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze influencing factors and the effects of occupational stress and job burnout on productivity loss. Results: A total of 1032 valid questionnaires were collected. The prevalence of occupational stress was 55.1% (569/1032). The prevalence of job burnout was 78.9% (814/1032), including 67.8% (700/1032) mild-to-moderate and 11.0% (114/1032) severe burnout. Productivity loss was reported by 60.9% (629/1032) of workers. Significant differences in productivity loss were observed across education level, enterprise types, and monthly income (all P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders, employees with occupational stress (OR=1.88, 95%CI: 1.43-2.48, P<0.001) and severe job burnout (OR=1.81, 95%CI: 1.01-3.25, P=0.046) were more likely to have productivity loss. Conclusion: The prevalence of occupational stress and job burnout is relatively high in this occupational population and is positively associated with productivity loss. Enterprises should pay attention to occupational stress and job burnout to promote employee well-being and reduce productivity loss.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, but the extent of improvement in motor symptoms varies. A tool which accurately predicts patient outcomes based on data available pre-surgery would be useful for clinical decision-making and patient expectation management. Such data includes clinical and cognitive measures, neuroimaging, kinematics, functional connectivity and genetics. In this systematic review, we assess predictive models of motor outcomes from DBS. We searched the databases Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus for primary research articles that tested predictions from models based on pre-surgical data and focused on motor outcomes from DBS for Parkinson's disease. We identified 19 studies fitting these criteria. The studies with high statistical power and generalisability use only clinical data and have limited accuracy. Studies including other types of data, such as magnetic resonance imaging, may have high accuracy but are under-powered. Predictions are mostly limited to the first year after surgery, subthalamic nucleus-targeted DBS and sum scores of motor performance. Following the results of the systematic search, we discuss candidate input and output variables and validation strategies to produce predictive models that are ready for translation to clinical practice. Ideally, models would predict scores for several motor domains, over a range of time after surgery, with confidence intervals. They should also be generalisable to clinics worldwide. To achieve this goal, models and datasets should be made publicly available to enable wider validation. These recommendations provide a framework to achieve predictive models for DBS outcomes that can be used clinically.