WITHDRAWN: Evaluation of Group Peer Support for Veteran Spouses: The Veteran Spouse Resiliency Group Program

Background/Purpose

Upon separating from military service, veterans and spouses face significant challenges in redefining their lives, careers, education, relocation and healthcare needs. When a veteran faces recovery from injuries requiring support from a caregiver, spouses often fill this role. Spouses can be significantly impacted by the strain of a veteran’s mental and physical healthcare needs while also addressing their own transition. Providing structured, program-based support to veteran spouses can positively influence their own mental health as they provide support to their family members. This program evaluation examined whether a 12-week structured peer led support group designed for veteran spouses would support changes in veteran spouses’ symptoms of depression, quality of life and sense of social support.

Methods

Primary data was collected before program participation and immediately following attendance in 12 weeks of a peer support group, across 6 groups. Participants completed the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Short Form) (Q-LES-Q-SF), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) (to measure depression) and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12 (ISEL-12) (to measure social support) as part of online program assessments before and after participation. Repeated observations were analyzed from data from 32 spouses. Three paired samples t-tests were used to evaluate difference scores from pre-test to post-test. All metrics demonstrated good reliability for measuring the purported constructs in the sample. Additional qualitative data obtained from group leaders and participants obtained in group discussions suggested strong acceptance of the program model. Data from groups delivered both in-person (pre COVID-19) and virtually (throughout the pandemic) are included in the program evaluation.

Results

Our first model was a directional, (one tailed; alpha = .05 ) comparison of the quality of life difference scores (M = - 0.08; SD = 0.10; t = - 3.99; p = 0.0005). Our second model demonstrated directional (one tailed; alpha = .05 ) significance in depressive symptom scores (M = 2.07, SD = 3.42, t = 3.205, p = .0015). Our third model compared pooled, imputed difference scores in perceived social support (one tailed; alpha = .05 M = - 2.38, t= - 1.796, p=.036). Each analysis indicated statistically significant improvements in difference scores.

Conclusions and Implications

The Veteran Spouse Resiliency Group is the first of its kind to offer a structured peer support program designed for veteran spouses based on their identified needs and preferences. Pre- and post-intervention observations showed improved scores for quality of life, depressive symptoms, and perceived social support for spouses of veterans. These initial findings from a non-randomized group comparison program evaluation indicate a valuable intervention that can be widely scaled to support spouses after military life. Additional, more rigorous study is merited. Additional implications and limitations are discussed.