Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Grisamore, Simone P.
• Nguyen, Rebecca L.
• Wiedbusch, Elzbieta K.
• Guerrero, Mayra
• Cope, Carlie E. A.
• Abo, Mary G.
• Jason, Leonard A.

Titel

Journey to wellness: A socioecological analysis of veterans in recovery from substance use disorders

Ist Teil von

• American journal of community psychology, 2022-12, Vol.70 (3-4), p.394-406

Ort / Verlag

England: Blackwell Science Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2022

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Wiley Online Library Journals Frontfile Complete

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Substance use disorders are increasingly prevalent among veterans in the United States. Veterans in recovery face unique challenges, such as high rates of psychiatric comorbidities, difficulties adjusting to civilian life, and inadequate housing and mental health services. While prior research has explored veterans' experiences in recovery, studies have not implemented a multilevel perspective in their analyses. The current qualitative study examined how individual veteran experiences intersect with interpersonal and systemic factors. Semistructured focus groups were conducted with veterans who were former or current residents of recovery homes (N = 20). Thematic analysis was utilized to explore veterans' personal experiences through the CHIME‐D framework (connectedness, hope & optimism, identity, meaning in life, empowerment, and difficulties). The data were further analyzed within a socioecological model (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community). Each component of the CHIME‐D framework was salient across all focus groups, with connectedness, empowerment, and difficulties being the most prominent themes that occurred across all socioecological levels. Results suggest that recovery initiatives can effectively assist veterans by promoting empowerment, facilitating social connections, and addressing cooccurring difficulties across multiple socioecological contexts. Additionally, treatment programs should encourage veterans to take on meaningful roles in their communities. Future research should continue to explore veterans' recovery experiences using a socioecological model. Highlights Veterans have specific characteristics that hinder or benefit their substance use recovery. Applying a socioecological model to the connectedness, hope & optimism, identity, meaning in life, empowerment, and difficulties framework captures veterans' recovery experiences. Individual, interpersonal, and community‐level support are all paramount to recovery. Veterans who are empowered and connected within their communities help peers in recovery.