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. 2021 Aug;44(4):440-453.
doi: 10.1007/s10865-020-00177-8. Epub 2020 Sep 17.

Combination outreach and wellness intervention for distressed rural veterans: results of a multimethod pilot study

Lilian Dindo  1   2   3 , McKenzie K Roddy  4 , Derrecka Boykin  4   5 , Ken Woods  6   5 , Merlyn Rodrigues  6   7 , Tracey L Smith  4 , Raquel D Gonzalez  6   5 , Gala True  8   9
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Combination outreach and wellness intervention for distressed rural veterans: results of a multimethod pilot study

Lilian Dindo et al. J Behav Med. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

We partnered with veteran-serving nonprofits in order to identify distressed rural veterans and provide them with a mental health workshop in community-based settings. Community organizations helped recruit veterans and provided space for 1-day (5-h) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group workshops conducted in rural locations. Qualitative interviews were conducted at 1- and 3-months post-intervention to assess acceptability. Quantitative measures were conducted at baseline, 1- and 3-months post-intervention to measure effectiveness. We successfully engaged community partners throughout every stage of the research and delivered workshops to thirty-one veterans in rural community-based locations. Veterans appreciated the structure, content, and environment of the workshops; most implemented ACT skills into their daily lives and some initiated new treatment following workshop participation. Quantitative measures showed improvements in functioning (Cohen's d ranging from .27 to .40), reintegration (Cohen's d = .45), meaning and purpose (Cohen's d = .40), and reductions in distress (Cohen's d ranging from .28 to .40) 3-months following workshop participation. Collaborating with rural veteran-serving nonprofit organizations holds promise for engaging hard-to-reach distressed veterans in mental health care.

Keywords: Acceptance and commitment therapy; Community engagement; Qualitative; Rural; Veterans.

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