ArticleSocial psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology2021
Differences in functional and structural social support among female and male veterans and civilians.
Article in Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 26 citations in OpenAlex.
- An Evidence Map of the Women Veterans' Health Literature, 2016 to 2023: A Systematic Review.JAMA network open · 2025Pooled it
- Scope of Use and Effectiveness of Dietary Interventions for Improving Health-Related Outcomes in Veterans: A Systematic Review.Nutrients · 2022Pooled it
- Relational demand in the chronic pain experience of women veterans: a mixed methods analysis.Journal of behavioral medicine · 2026Article
- Sustained metabolic improvements in a remotely delivered ketogenic nutrition programme for veterans with type 2 diabetes: A 3-year observational study.Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 2025Observational
- The relationship among socioeconomic status, social support and frailty: is there a gender difference?Aging clinical and experimental research · 2025Article
- Suicide risk assessment and management protocol for research within the Department of Veterans Affairs.Journal of psychopathology and clinical science · 2025Article
- Call for action: Research needs for homeless Canadian women Veterans.Journal of military, veteran and family health · 2025Article
- How future self-continuity mediates the impact of job loss on negative mental health outcomes among transitioning veterans.Military psychology : the official journal of the Division of Military Psychology, American Psychological Association · 2024Article
- Multi-environment prediction of suicidal beliefs.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2024Article
- Social support over time for men and women veterans with and without complex trauma histories.Psychological services · 2023Article
- Pilot outcomes of a filmmaking intervention designed to enhance treatment entry and social reintegration of veterans.Psychological services · 2023Article
- Effects of Social Network Characteristics on Mental Health Outcomes Among United States Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers.Community mental health journal · 2022Article
- Strengths and vulnerabilities: Comparing post-9/11 U.S. veterans' and non-veterans' perceptions of health and broader well-being.SSM - population health · 2022Article
- National Veterans Health Administration MOVE! Weight Management Program Participation During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Preventing chronic disease · 2022Article
- Feasibility and Acceptability of Ecological Momentary Assessment of Psychosocial Factors and Self-Management Behaviors Among Veterans With Type 2 Diabetes.Diabetes spectrum : a publication of the American Diabetes Association · 2022Article
- Treatment receipt patterns among individuals with co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders.Journal of consulting and clinical psychology · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
purposeSocial support is an important correlate of health behaviors and outcomes. Studies suggest that veterans have lower social support than civilians, but interpretation is hindered by methodological limitations. Furthermore, little is known about how sex influences veteran-civilian differences. Therefore, we examined veteran-civilian differences in several dimensions of social support and whether differences varied by sex.
methodsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions-III, a nationally representative sample of 34,331 respondents (male veterans = 2569; female veterans = 356). We examined veteran-civilian differences in functional and structural social support using linear regression and variation by sex with interactions. We adjusted for socio-demographics, childhood experiences, and physical and mental health.
resultsCompared to civilians, veterans had lower social network diversity scores (difference [diff] = - 0.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.23, - 0.03). Among women but not men, veterans had smaller social network size (diff = - 2.27, 95% CI - 3.81, - 0.73) than civilians, attributable to differences in religious groups, volunteers, and coworkers. Among men, veterans had lower social network diversity scores than civilians (diff = - 0.13, 95% CI - 0.23, - 0.03); while among women, the difference was similar but did not reach statistical significance (diff = - 0.13, 95% CI - 0.23, 0.09). There was limited evidence of functional social support differences.
conclusionAfter accounting for factors that influence military entry and social support, veterans reported significantly lower structural social support, which may be attributable to reintegration challenges and geographic mobility. Findings suggest that veterans could benefit from programs to enhance structural social support and improve health outcomes, with female veterans potentially in greatest need.
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