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Pratt BA, Krause-Parello CA, Nguyen-Feng VN, Giordano NA, Basin SB, Peterson AL, Walsh P, Siebert AQ, Ruiz R, Kirkland DM, Nolan JP. Mission Alliance Community Engagement Project: Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Social Isolation, Loneliness, Mental Health and Wellbeing in Veterans. J Community Health 2024; 49:394-401. [PMID: 38066217 PMCID: PMC10981591 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-023-01314-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
During the Coronavirus disease pandemic, many U.S. veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced increased symptomology and worsened mental health and well-being due in part to social isolation and loneliness. The Mission Alliance project explored these ramifications and prioritized critical issues expressed by U.S. veterans and stakeholders (N = 182) during virtual regional meetings (N = 32). Field notes created specifically for this project were recorded and thematically analyzed. Emerging themes included: (1) social isolation: missed opportunities, collapsed social circles, work-life balance, fostering relationships, and evolving health care delivery; (2) loneliness: deteriorated mental health, suffered with PTSD together but alone, looked out for each other, ambivalence toward technology, and strained and broken systems; (3) mental health: sense of chaos, increased demand and decreased access, aggravation, implementation of tools, innovative solutions, fear and loss, and availability of resources; (4) wellbeing: sense of purpose, holistic perspective on well-being, recognition of balance, persisting stigma, redefined pressures, freedom to direct treatment, and reconnection and disconnection. A PTSD-related patient centered outcomes research (PCOR)/comparative effectiveness research (CER) agenda was developed from these themes. Establishment of a veteran and stakeholder network is suggested to support, facilitate, and promote the PTSD-related PCOR/CER agenda. Furthermore, enhancement of opportunities for veterans with PTSD and stakeholders to partner in PCOR/CER is required to develop and conduct projects that lead to PTSD-related comprehensive care of veterans affected by traumatic events with the potential to translate findings to other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth A Pratt
- College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, 3200 College Drive, LA49 228B, Davie, Boca Raton, FL, 33314, USA.
| | - Cheryl A Krause-Parello
- College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, 3200 College Drive, LA49 228B, Davie, Boca Raton, FL, 33314, USA
| | | | | | | | - Alan L Peterson
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Patrick Walsh
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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