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Well-being of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and Spouses of Veterans During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Prospective Longitudinal Survey.
Forchuk, Callista A; Nazarov, Anthony; Plouffe, Rachel A; Liu, Jenny J W; Deda, Erisa; Le, Tri; Gargala, Dominic; Soares, Vanessa; Bourret-Gheysen, Jesse; St Cyr, Kate; Nouri, Maede S; Hosseiny, Fardous; Smith, Patrick; Dupuis, Gabrielle; Roth, Maya; Marlborough, Michelle; Jetly, Rakesh; Heber, Alexandra; Lanius, Ruth; Richardson, J Don.
  • Forchuk CA; The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
  • Nazarov A; The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
  • Plouffe RA; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
  • Liu JJW; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
  • Deda E; The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
  • Le T; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
  • Gargala D; The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
  • Soares V; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
  • Bourret-Gheysen J; St. Joseph's Operational Stress Injury Clinic, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
  • St Cyr K; The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
  • Nouri MS; The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
  • Hosseiny F; The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
  • Smith P; The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
  • Dupuis G; The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
  • Roth M; Department of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
  • Marlborough M; The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre, Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
  • Jetly R; Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Related Mental Health Conditions, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • Heber A; The Royal's Institute for Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • Lanius R; Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Related Mental Health Conditions, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • Richardson JD; The Royal's Institute for Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
JMIR Res Protoc ; 11(1): e34984, 2022 Jan 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1593349
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes to everyday life, including social distancing mandates, changes to health care, and a heightened risk of infection. Previous research has shown that Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) veterans are at higher risk of developing mental and physical health conditions. Veterans and their families may face unique social challenges that can compound with pandemic-related disruptions to negatively impact well-being.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aims to longitudinally characterize the mental health of CAF veterans and spouses of CAF veterans throughout the pandemic and to understand the dynamic influences of pandemic-related stressors on psychological health over time.

METHODS:

We employed a prospective longitudinal panel design using an online data collection platform. Study participation was open to all CAF veterans and spouses of CAF veterans residing in Canada. Participants were asked to complete a comprehensive battery of assessments representing psychological well-being, chronic pain, health care access patterns, physical environment, employment, social integration, and adjustment to pandemic-related lifestyle changes. Follow-up assessments were conducted every 3 months over an 18-month period. This study was approved by the Western University Health Sciences and Lawson Health Research Institute Research Ethics Boards.

RESULTS:

Baseline data were collected between July 2020 and February 2021. There were 3 population segments that participated in the study 1047 veterans, 366 spouses of veterans, and 125 veterans who are also spouses of veterans completed baseline data collection. As of November 2021, data collection is ongoing, with participants completing the 9- or 12-month follow-up surveys depending on their date of self-enrollment. Data collection across all time points will be complete in September 2022.

CONCLUSIONS:

This longitudinal survey is unique in its comprehensive assessment of domains relevant to veterans and spouses of veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic, ranging from occupational, demographic, social, mental, and physical domains, to perceptions and experiences with health care treatments and access. The results of this study will be used to inform policy for veteran and veteran family support, and to best prepare for similar emergencies should they occur in the future. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/34984.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Language: English Journal: JMIR Res Protoc Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 34984

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Language: English Journal: JMIR Res Protoc Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 34984