The Institute for Military & Veteran Family Wellness conducts research and evaluation projects that strengthen understanding of the mental health, social support, and overall well-being of service members, veterans, and their families. Guided by a community-informed, patient-centered approach, our completed studies and evaluations reflect the evolving needs and priorities of the populations we serve. Through federally and philanthropically funded collaborations, our work has informed policies, programs, and practices that improve care and support across the military and veteran community. Explore our completed research and evaluation projects.
Mind Over Matter: A Veteran-Driven Roadmap to Research on Traumatic Brain Injury (2022-23)
- Collaborative study with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) engaging veterans with TBI, caregivers, and stakeholders.
- Identifies effective, acceptable, and meaningful treatment options for veterans with TBI.
- Provides veterans and caregivers an active voice and platform for engagement, closing the knowledge gap through a veteran-driven research roadmap.
- Prepares veterans and caregivers for each stage of the research process, increasing familiarity and comfort with patient-centered outcomes research and comparative effectiveness research.
- Explores veterans’ preferences for healthcare information delivery and research communication, especially post-COVID-19.
- Builds veteran competencies for partnership in research.
- Funder: PCORI
Causal Factors of Military & Veteran Family Food Insecurity (2021-22)
- In partnership with Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), supported research with extensive interviews with military and veteran families experiencing food insecurity.
- Examined causal factors and lived experiences leading to food insecurity in large military communities in Texas and Virginia.
- Findings inform program and policy recommendations to address challenges faced by active duty service members, veterans, and their families.
Understanding Self-Care Practices Among Military/Veteran Spouses (2020-21)
- Self-care inventory survey study assessed prevalence and types of self-care activities among military and veteran spouses.
- Data informs institute programming to enhance wellness and encourage self-care in this population.
All Hands on Deck: Community Convening to Improve Research on Veteran Suicide Prevention (2020-21)
- Initiative to enhance stakeholder collaboration in veteran suicide prevention research.
- Developed the Concerned Significant Other (CSO) Engagement Guide, providing actionable recommendations for CSO involvement.
- Hosted a national virtual convening with 80+ participants, including veterans, family members, researchers, and providers.
- Facilitated monthly workgroups to refine research practices and strengthen CSO engagement.
- Funder: PCORI
- Peer support groups facilitated by Veteran Spouse Network designed to connect veteran spouses and offer support.
- Ongoing program evaluation since 2017, with continuous improvements based on participant feedback.
- Pre- and post-test results (2021-2022) show statistically significant improvements in depression, anxiety, self-care, perceived social support, and overall quality of life.
- Timeline: 2017-23
- Funder: Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Grant Program (Texas Health and Human Services)
- Conducted program evaluation of Intensive Outpatient Program for veterans with PTSD, that was implemented by Seton Ascension.
- The Restore Program combined Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Resilient Yoga.
- Evaluation results were shared with program staff for use in program adaptation and reporting to program funders.
- Timeline: 2018-19
- Funder: Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Grant Program (Texas Health and Human Services)
- Group-based intervention for veteran and active duty couples in which one partner has PTSD, focused on reducing symptoms and strengthening relationships.
- Utilized Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD (CBCT-PTSD) in 8-week, clinician-led cohorts in community clinic settings.
- Provided introduction to treatment, psychoeducation, safety building, trauma support, and relationship skills, with ongoing program evaluation to inform future cohorts.
- Timeline: 2017-18
- Developed and piloted Mastering Your Marriage in partnership with the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.
- Implemented the Mastering Your Marriage program with 21 veteran couples to support relationship quality, communication, intimacy, conflict resolution, stress management, and address symptoms of PTSD or TBI.
- Included a weekend Orientation Retreat, six months of web-based curriculum delivered via smartphone app, online small group discussions, individualized follow-up calls, and a private Facebook group.
- Designed and led a Capstone Retreat weekend for couples to celebrate progress and reinforce curriculum content through in-person sessions.
- Program staff conducted program evaluation to understand program outcomes.
- Timeline: 2017-18
- Funder: Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Grant Program (Texas Health and Human Services)