Armed Forces and Veteran Housing Policies: The United Kingdom 2021 Vision
Abstract: Accessing suitable accommodation post transition into civilian life from the military is one of the key markers for future success and wellbeing. For many this process can and does start during their military career. Some veterans struggle to find appropriate housing, often complicated by other difficulties associated with employment, physical and mental injuries, or difficulties with relationships. Over the past two years the position of veterans, veterans’ families, and service people in transition in the United Kingdom (UK) has gained increased national and international visibility through the establishment of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. The Ministry of Defence’s 2018 Strategy for Our Veterans’ report contains a key theme that veterans in the UK should have a secure place to live either through buying, renting or social housing. However, the National Audit Office (NAO) recently reported that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is not meeting its commitment to provide high-quality, subsidised accommodation to all service personnel. Satisfaction with single living accommodation has declined in recent years and can impact on the retention of military personnel, risking the MOD’s ability to deliver defence capabilities. This review looks at the policy changes made in the past two years to support quality UK service accommodation, aid, sustain successful post-military transitions, and ensure veterans do not want for adequate housing.
Abstract: Objective: The present study is a retrospective quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Warrior PATHH (WP) program at improving posttraumatic growth (PTG) outcomes and reducing PTSD symptoms compared to a waitlist control among a sample of Veterans. Method: Participants (n = 164) were U.S. military Veterans with a history of trauma. Participants were either undergoing the Warrior PATHH program or a waitlist. Primary outcome measures were administered at baseline and at 90-day follow-up and consisted of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory – Expanded (PTGI-X) and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Secondary outcome measures assessed psychosocial functioning and included measures of depression and anxiety symptoms, sleep, wellbeing, and social support. Results: Significant differences were observed between groups on the PTGI-X (F(1, 205) = 23.667, p < .001, partial η2 = 0.103), and the PCL-5 (F(1, 205) = 262.460, p < .001, partial η2 = 0.561) with the WP group showing significant positive psychological change following a traumatic event as measured by the PTGI-X and decreased PTSD symptoms as measured by the PCL-5 compared to those in the waitlist condition. Those in the treatment arm also demonstrated gains to psychosocial functioning. Conclusions: Consistent with previous research, participants in the Warrior PATHH program exhibited significant increases in PTG outcomes, decreased PTSD symptoms, and broad improvements to psychosocial functioning. These findings suggest it is an effective training program to foster PTG outcomes among Veterans. This study is unique as it is the first to compare the effects of WP programming with a sample of waitlisted Veterans.