2024
Gambling and Substance Use Disorders in U.S. Military Veterans: Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Suicide Risk
Stefanovics E, Potenza M, Tsai J, Pietrzak R. Gambling and Substance Use Disorders in U.S. Military Veterans: Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Suicide Risk. Journal Of Gambling Studies 2024, 40: 2119-2139. PMID: 39342537, DOI: 10.1007/s10899-024-10359-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSubstance use disordersU.S. military veteransMental health treatmentGambling groupSUD-onlySuicide riskHealth treatmentMilitary veteransNon-suicidal self-injuryLifetime substance use disorderNational Health and ResilienceRisk of substance use disordersSUD-only groupSelf-report measuresMental health difficultiesAdverse childhood experiencesMental health burdenPast-year gamblingSelf-injurySuicidality/self-harmVeterans StudyUse disorderNicotine dependenceTrauma variablesBehavioral correlatesPrevalence of Four Types of Social Support and Their Relation to Mental Health among low-income U.S. Veterans: Implications for Community Health
Tsai J, Li Y, Maroufy V. Prevalence of Four Types of Social Support and Their Relation to Mental Health among low-income U.S. Veterans: Implications for Community Health. Community Mental Health Journal 2024, 60: 1652-1662. PMID: 38990446, DOI: 10.1007/s10597-024-01318-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSocial supportMental healthU.S. veteransPositive social interactionsAffectionate social supportCommunity health interventionsImprove mental healthLow social supportMental health functioningMental health correlatesNationally representative sampleAssociated with income levelU.S. military veteransSocial interactionAffectionate supportCommunity healthHealth interventionsHealth correlatesCommunity integrationPositive screenHealth functioningMilitary veteransRepresentative samplePsychiatric disordersPsychosocial dysfunctionFunctional significance of posttraumatic growth in U.S. military veterans
Gower T, Fischer I, Tsai J, Kang H, Na P, Tedeschi R, Pietrzak R. Functional significance of posttraumatic growth in U.S. military veterans. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2024, 356: 267-273. PMID: 38614442, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.046.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderPosttraumatic stress disorder symptomsPosttraumatic growthPsychosocial functioningTraumatic eventsTrauma-exposed U.S. veteransNational Health and ResilienceMale veteran samplePost-trauma functioningPattern of findingsRetrospective self-reportsU.S. military veteransVeteran sampleStress disorderVeterans StudyExamined relationsCross-sectional designMilitary veteransNationally representative sampleU.S. veteransAssociated with functionsPhysical functionClinical interventionsPsychosocial characteristicsVeteransFamily Member Incarceration and Loneliness Among Low-Income U.S. Veterans
Testa A, Tsai J. Family Member Incarceration and Loneliness Among Low-Income U.S. Veterans. American Journal Of Orthopsychiatry 2024, 94: 352-361. PMID: 38421747, DOI: 10.1037/ort0000736.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFamily member incarcerationU.S. military veteransLoneliness indexU.S. veteransExposure to incarcerationMilitary veteransVeteran homelessnessPerception of lonelinessFeelings of lonelinessMultinomial logistic regressionLack companionshipIncarcerationConsequences of lonelinessReport feelingLow-incomeVeteran communityPotential adverse consequencesLogistic regressionVeteransSocial relationshipsWell-beingFamily membersIncreased riskLonelinessMultiple Poisson
2023
Posttraumatic Growth in U.S. Military Veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study
Kang H, Fischer I, Dickinson S, Na P, Tsai J, Tedeschi R, Pietrzak R. Posttraumatic Growth in U.S. Military Veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Psychiatric Quarterly 2023, 95: 17-32. PMID: 37938492, DOI: 10.1007/s11126-023-10061-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPosttraumatic growthU.S. military veteransPTSD symptomsTraumatic eventsPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomsPositive psychological changesVeterans StudyMilitary veteransGreater posttraumatic growthTrauma-exposed veteransIntrinsic religiosityPTSD symptom severitySevere PTSD symptomsHigh-risk sampleIntrusive symptomsDisorder symptomsPsychological changesPTG levelsTraumatic experiencesPTSD ChecklistVeteran samplePsychosocial characteristicsSymptom clustersDSM-5Symptom severityPrevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Recreational and At-Risk/Problematic Gambling Among Low-Income U.S. Veterans: Results from the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences (NV‐HOPE) Study
Stefanovics E, Potenza M, Tsai J. Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Recreational and At-Risk/Problematic Gambling Among Low-Income U.S. Veterans: Results from the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences (NV‐HOPE) Study. Journal Of Gambling Studies 2023, 40: 915-935. PMID: 37751035, DOI: 10.1007/s10899-023-10257-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchU.S. veteransSubstance useMental illnessDrug use disordersPoor physical functioningLogistic regression analysisNon-white veteransChi-square testU.S. military veteransClinical characteristicsDevelopment of interventionsAdjusted associationsPhysical functioningRoutine screeningClinical measuresCurrent prevalenceUse disordersRecreational gamblingLifetime historyGreater symptomsVulnerable subpopulationsPrevalenceChanges in mental health among U.S. military veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic: A network analysis
Spiller T, Na P, Merians A, Duek O, Ben-Zion Z, Tsai J, von Känel R, Harpaz-Rotem I, Pietrzak R. Changes in mental health among U.S. military veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic: A network analysis. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2023, 165: 352-359. PMID: 37595331, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.08.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderSymptoms of PTSDTraumatic eventsPosttraumatic growthU.S. military veteransPTSD symptomsSuicidal ideationMental healthMilitary veteransIncrease of symptomsPopulation-based sampleCOVID-19 pandemicFirst yearStress disorderMost veteransSymptomsFirst monthPsychopathological symptomsGeneral resilienceGroup levelAnxietyVeteransIndividual reactionsDepressionSubtle increaseNot all traumas are created equal: Phenotypic heterogeneity of PTSD symptoms in relation to index traumas in U.S. military veterans
Kachadourian L, Duek O, Tsai J, Harpaz-Rotem I, Pietrzak R. Not all traumas are created equal: Phenotypic heterogeneity of PTSD symptoms in relation to index traumas in U.S. military veterans. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2023, 340: 728-731. PMID: 37572698, PMCID: PMC10754253, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderU.S. military veteransMilitary veteransIndex traumaPTSD symptomsDysphoric arousal symptomsIllness/injuryGreater overall severityIndex traumatic eventClinical presentationNational HealthDiagnostic criteriaTreatment approachesGreater severityOverall severityVeterans StudyInterpersonal violenceStress disorderTraumaArousal symptomsSymptomsVeteransPhenotypic heterogeneityTraumatic eventsSeverityPandemic-related posttraumatic psychological growth in U.S. military veterans: A 3-year, nationally representative, longitudinal study
Kang H, Na P, Fischer I, Tsai J, Tedeschi R, Pietrzak R. Pandemic-related posttraumatic psychological growth in U.S. military veterans: A 3-year, nationally representative, longitudinal study. Psychiatry Research 2023, 326: 115370. PMID: 37499281, DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115370.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic growthU.S. military veteransPost-pandemic onsetDomains of PTGPositive psychological changesMilitary veteransPosttraumatic stress symptomsLongitudinal studyEarly life traumaPsychological growthPsychological changesPsychosocial interventionsStress symptomsLife traumaCOVID-19 vaccineVeterans StudyGreater worryMental healthStrongest correlateFull sampleNational HealthVeteransSignificant decreaseOnsetPrevalenceFirearm Ownership Among a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Veterans
Fischer I, Aunon F, Nichter B, Hill M, Panza K, Kline A, Na P, Tsai J, Harpaz-Rotem I, Pietrzak R. Firearm Ownership Among a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Veterans. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine 2023, 65: 1129-1133. PMID: 37354925, DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.06.013.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsU.S. veteransMultivariable logistic regression analysisLogistic regression analysisAlcohol use disorderSuicide prevention effortsU.S. military veteransNationally Representative SampleMale sexTrauma burdenNational HealthRepresentative sampleFirearm ownershipChi-square analysisUse disordersFirearm safetyIndependent sample t-testLifetime historyVeterans StudyPrevention effortsPsychiatric variablesMilitary veteransVeteransRegression analysisT-testSignificant main effectPurpose in life and physical health in older U.S. military veterans: Cross-sectional results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study
Fischer I, Feldman D, Tsai J, Harpaz-Rotem I, McCutcheon V, Schulenberg S, Pietrzak R. Purpose in life and physical health in older U.S. military veterans: Cross-sectional results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Preventive Medicine 2023, 170: 107495. PMID: 37001606, DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107495.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPhysical health conditionsPhysical healthNational HealthDaily livingVeterans StudyHealth conditionsHigher bodily painPhysical role limitationsGeneral population studiesOverall self-reported healthPhysical health difficultiesHigher PILSelf-reported healthOlder U.S. veteransU.S. military veteransBodily painRole limitationsPhysical functioningSleep disordersInstrumental activitiesSelf-report assessmentsCurrent prevalenceCross-sectional resultsU.S. veteransMost veteransSex-specific risk and resilience correlates of suicidal ideation in U.S. military veterans
Stefanovics E, Potenza M, Tsai J, Nichter B, Pietrzak R. Sex-specific risk and resilience correlates of suicidal ideation in U.S. military veterans. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2023, 328: 303-311. PMID: 36775254, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.025.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSuicidal ideationMale veteransFemale veteransU.S. military veteransRisk factorsGender-specific risk factorsPrevalence of SISex-specific riskMilitary veteransDifferent risk factorsAlcohol use disorderLow psychological resilienceMultivariable analysisNational HealthRepresentative sampleUse disordersU.S. veteransVeterans StudySuicide preventionTreatment effortsVeteransLow purposeStrongest correlatePrevalenceIdeation
2022
Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Recreational and At-Risk/Problematic Gambling in a National Sample of U.S. Military Veterans
Stefanovics E, Potenza M, Tsai J, Pietrzak R. Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Recreational and At-Risk/Problematic Gambling in a National Sample of U.S. Military Veterans. Journal Of Gambling Studies 2022, 39: 1077-1097. PMID: 36378356, DOI: 10.1007/s10899-022-10165-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCurrent psychiatric diagnosisU.S. military veteransUse disordersPsychiatric diagnosisMilitary veteransU.S. veteransDrug use disordersMental health treatmentSubstance use disordersChi-square testClinical characteristicsTrauma burdenNational HealthAdjusted associationsRoutine screeningClinical measuresRecreational gamblingCurrent prevalenceMale veteransHealth treatmentHigher household incomeSuicidal ideationVeterans StudyLogistic regressionExtensive involvementPerceived Purpose in Life, Mental Health, and Suicidality in Older U.S. Military Veterans: Results From the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study
Fischer IC, Tsai J, Harpaz-Rotem I, McCutcheon VE, Schulenberg SE, Pietrzak RH. Perceived Purpose in Life, Mental Health, and Suicidality in Older U.S. Military Veterans: Results From the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. American Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry 2022, 31: 87-93. PMID: 36253289, DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2022.09.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMental disordersNational HealthU.S. veteransVeterans StudyHigher PILSubstance use disordersOlder U.S. veteransU.S. military veteransMajor depressiveSelf-report assessmentsLower oddsCurrent prevalenceUse disordersMost veteransSuicide attemptsMental healthGeneralized anxietySuicidalityDisordersMilitary veteransVeteransPosttraumatic stressHealthOddsRepresentative sampleProvision of social support and mental health in U.S. military veterans
Na P, Tsai J, Southwick S, Pietrzak R. Provision of social support and mental health in U.S. military veterans. Npj Mental Health Research 2022, 1: 4. PMID: 38609471, PMCID: PMC10938859, DOI: 10.1038/s44184-022-00004-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMental healthAdverse mental health outcomesSocial supportMental health outcomesMajority of veteransU.S. military veteransUS veteransLower oddsPsychiatric disordersRepresentative cohortHealth outcomesSuicidal ideationGood healthMilitary veteransStandard deviation increaseVeteransProvision of supportHealthOddsOutcomesDeviation increaseCohortPrevalence and characteristics associated with firearm ownership among low-income U.S. veterans
Tsai J, Testa A, Pietrzak R, Elbogen E. Prevalence and characteristics associated with firearm ownership among low-income U.S. veterans. Military Psychology 2022, 35: 132-141. PMID: 37133491, PMCID: PMC10013543, DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2086415.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsU.S. veteransMental health characteristicsLogistic regression analysisU.S. veteran populationMental health correlatesHierarchical logistic regression analysisU.S. military veteransClinical characteristicsAssociated sociodemographicFirearm ownershipHealth characteristicsVeteran populationSignificant associationTrauma exposureHealth correlatesPrevalenceMilitary veteransVeteransRegression analysisFirearm misuseRepresentative studyFirearm ownersSociodemographicsTraumaLoneliness in U.S. military veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationally representative, prospective cohort study
Na PJ, Straus E, Tsai J, Norman SB, Southwick SM, Pietrzak RH. Loneliness in U.S. military veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationally representative, prospective cohort study. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2022, 151: 546-553. PMID: 35636030, PMCID: PMC9126310, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.05.042.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrevalence of lonelinessPersistent lonelinessPandemic-related social restrictionsMultivariable logistic regression modelProtective factorsCOVID-19 pandemicPre-existing psychiatric conditionsProspective cohort studyMilitary veteransPre-pandemic measuresLogistic regression modelsProtective psychosocial factorsU.S. military veteransProspective cohortCohort studyUS veteransNational HealthHigh riskPsychiatric disordersPsychosocial factorsCOVID-related stressorsPsychiatric conditionsVeterans StudyLongitudinal changesVulnerable populationsMental Health Burden in Enlisted and Commissioned U.S. Military Veterans: Importance of Indirect Trauma Exposure in Commissioned Veterans
Merians AN, Na PJ, Tsai J, Harpaz-Rotem I, Pietrzak RH. Mental Health Burden in Enlisted and Commissioned U.S. Military Veterans: Importance of Indirect Trauma Exposure in Commissioned Veterans. Psychiatry 2022, 85: 418-432. PMID: 35532217, DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2022.2068301.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderMajor depressive disorderU.S. military veteransSuicidal ideationMilitary veteransTrauma exposureMost mental health outcomesMental health burdenPast-year suicidal ideationDrug use disordersU.S. veteran populationMental health historyHigh exposureMental health outcomesMultivariable analysisDepressive disorderNational HealthHealth burdenPost-stratification weightsUse disordersVeteran populationHealth historyHealth outcomesIndirect trauma exposureVeterans StudyPrevalence, correlates, and mental health burden associated with homelessness in U.S. military veterans
Nichter B, Tsai J, Pietrzak RH. Prevalence, correlates, and mental health burden associated with homelessness in U.S. military veterans. Psychological Medicine 2022, 53: 3952-3962. PMID: 35301973, PMCID: PMC10317824, DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722000617.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMental health burdenAdverse childhood experiencesDrug use disordersU.S. military veteransHealth burdenUse disordersMajor public health problemPopulation-based dataProbable posttraumatic stress disorderMilitary veteransPublic health problemLifetime suicide attemptsPoor mental healthEarly childhood adversityPosttraumatic stress disorderMental health consequencesTrauma burdenIndependent associationNational HealthFirst episodeLifetime prevalenceMajor depressiveHealth problemsHistory of homelessnessPsychiatric conditionsDispositional gratitude predicts the development of psychopathology and suicidal behaviors: Results from a 7-year population-based study of U.S. military veterans
McGuire AP, Fagan JG, Tsai J, Merians AN, Nichter B, Norman SB, Southwick SM, Pietrzak RH. Dispositional gratitude predicts the development of psychopathology and suicidal behaviors: Results from a 7-year population-based study of U.S. military veterans. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2022, 149: 168-176. PMID: 35278781, PMCID: PMC9017955, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.02.028.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMajor depressive disorderPosttraumatic stress disorderU.S. military veteransSuicidal ideationMental health outcomesSuicide attemptsSuicidal behaviorDevelopment of psychopathologyHealth outcomesMilitary veteransAdverse mental health outcomesPopulation-based studyPopulation-based samplePrimary prevention effortsMultivariable analysisDepressive disorderHigh riskBaseline levelsU.S. veteransStress disorderAnxiety disordersPrevention effortsIncident outcomesService membersVeterans