# Implications of Veterans' Initial Reintegration Experiences for their Longer-Term Mental Health and Suicidality: Identifying Veterans who Would Benefit from Early Intervention

> **NIH VA I01** · VA BOSTON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM · 2024 · —

## Abstract

Background: Both poor mental health and suicidality (MH/S) are significant concerns for the Veteran
population. The proposed study will identity Veterans at greatest risk for poor longer-term MH/S based on their
initial post-separation transition experiences, with the goal of informing interventions that can prevent poor
longer-term outcomes. We will also examine the role of exposure to COVID-19 stressors in this relationship.
Significance: Although there has been a call for additional attention to upstream predictors of Veterans' MH/S
to better inform prevention and early intervention efforts, no study to our knowledge has examined the
implications of Veterans' initial readjustment experiences for their longer-term MH/S. Yet, whether Veterans
are able to secure meaningful work, meet their financial needs, experience health concerns, and have
sufficient support as they adapt to civilian life may set the stage for how their lives unfold over time, either
protecting them from or putting them at risk for poor longer-term outcomes. In addition, the initial transition
timeframe represents an opportune time for interventions aimed at interrupting trajectories that lead to chronic
readjustment challenges, and thus, warrants additional attention.
Innovativeness and Impact: This study, which involves a ten-year follow-up assessment of Veterans who first
reported on their experiences during the initial transition from service, will build on prior research in a number
of ways. First, we are not aware of any study that has examined how Veterans' initial readjustment
experiences are related to their longer-term MH/S to inform efforts to intervene with high-risk Veterans.
Second, the study's focus on how predictors of Veterans' longer-term MH/S differ for women and men can
inform the development of interventions that can meet women's unique readjustment needs. Finally, we are not
aware of any study that has examined how Veterans' initial post-military readjustment influences their
adaptation to subsequent life stressors, and in turn, their longer-term MH/S, offered another novel contribution.
Specific Aims: Aim 1 is to identify Veterans at greatest risk for poor longer-term MH/S based on both their initial
reintegration experiences, as well as changes in their readjustment during the transition period. Aim 2 is to
identify sex differences in the impact of Veterans' initial readjustment experiences, as well as changes in their
readjustment during the initial transition period, on Veterans' longer-term MH/S. Exploratory Aim 3 is to
examine how Veterans' readjustment experiences influence their risk for and vulnerability to subsequent stress
exposure (COVID stressors), and in turn, their longer-term MH/S.
Methodology: Study aims will be achieved by re-surveying Veterans from the Veterans Metrics Initiative (TVMI)
study (N = 7404), a population-based investigation of Veterans' health, vocation, finances, and social
relationships during the first three years post-s...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10995998
- **Project number:** 1I01HX003689-01A2
- **Recipient organization:** VA BOSTON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Dawne Suzanne Vogt-Ryan
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-10-01 → 2027-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10995998

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10995998, Implications of Veterans' Initial Reintegration Experiences for their Longer-Term Mental Health and Suicidality: Identifying Veterans who Would Benefit from Early Intervention (1I01HX003689-01A2). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/10995998. Licensed CC0.

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