Coping Strategies of Older American Korean War Veterans: A Mixed Research Study
Abstract: For American Korean War veterans, military service during wartime is a major life-changing experience across their lifespan. Research on them, while they are still living, is critical to understanding how older veterans have dealt with social adjustment after the war and in their later lives. This study examined the impact of military experience and social support upon coping strategies of older veterans. Both surveys and focus groups were conducted to collect data from 20 American Korean War veterans and 22 older non-veterans. Our findings indicate that the American Korean War Veterans Association has been a critical source of social support for veteran participants, leading them into more adaptive coping strategies. Focusing upon positive adaptation after traumatic events is a recommended shift of practice for helping professionals. More implications of the activity professionals were discussed.
Abstract: Introduction: Persistent inequities exist in obstetric and neonatal outcomes in military families despite universal health care coverage. Though the exact underlying cause has not been identified, social determinants of health may uniquely impact military families. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate the potential impact of social determinants of health and the lived experiences of military individuals seeking maternity care in the Military Health System. Materials and methods: This was an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. Nine providers conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with individuals who delivered within the last 5 years in the direct or purchased care market. Participants were recruited through social media blasts and clinic flyers with both maximum variation and homogenous sampling to ensure participation of diverse individuals. Data were coded and themes were identified using inductive qualitative research methods. Results: Three main themes were identified: Requirements of Military Life (with subthemes of pregnancy notification and privacy during care, role of pregnancy instructions and policies, and role of command support), Sociocultural Aspects of the Military Experience (with subthemes of pregnancy as a burden on colleagues and a career detractor, postpartum adjustment, balancing personal and professional requirements, pregnancy timing and parenting challenges, and importance of friendship and camaraderie in pregnancy), and Navigating the Healthcare Experience (including subthemes of transfer between military and civilian care and TRICARE challenges, perception of military care as inferior to civilian, and remote duty stations and international care). Conclusions: The unique stressors of military life act synergistically with the existing health care challenges, presenting opportunities for improvements in care. Such opportunities may include increased consistency of policies across services and commands. Increased access to group prenatal care and support groups, and increased assistance with navigating the health care system to improve care transitions were frequently requested changes by participants.