Lisa M McAndrew1,2, Rachel F Held1, Bhavna Abbi1, Karen S Quigley3, Drew Helmer1,4, Radhika Pasupuleti1, Helena K Chandler1. 1. Veterans Affairs New Jersey Healthcare System, War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, East Orange, NJ. 2. University at Albany, Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, Albany, NY. 3. Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Hospital, Bedford, MA & Northeastern University, Boston, MA. 4. Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The presence of multiple comorbid conditions is common after combat deployment and complicates treatment. A potential treatment approach is to target shared mechanisms across conditions that maintain poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL). One such mechanism may be decrements in pleasurable activities. Impairment in pleasurable activities frequently occurs after deployment and may be associated with poorer HRQOL. METHOD: In this brief report, we surveyed 126 Veterans who had previously sought an assessment at a Veterans Affairs post-deployment health clinic and assessed pleasurable activities, HRQOL, and post-deployment health symptoms. RESULTS: Forty-three percent of Veterans met our criteria for all three post-deployment conditions (PTSD, depression and chronic wide-spread physical symptoms). Greater engagement in pleasurable activities was associated with better HRQOL for all Veterans regardless of type or level of post-deployment health symptoms. CONCLUSION: Future research should study if interventions that encourage Veterans with post-deployment health conditions to engage in pleasurable activities are effective rehabilitation strategies.
OBJECTIVE: The presence of multiple comorbid conditions is common after combat deployment and complicates treatment. A potential treatment approach is to target shared mechanisms across conditions that maintain poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL). One such mechanism may be decrements in pleasurable activities. Impairment in pleasurable activities frequently occurs after deployment and may be associated with poorer HRQOL. METHOD: In this brief report, we surveyed 126 Veterans who had previously sought an assessment at a Veterans Affairs post-deployment health clinic and assessed pleasurable activities, HRQOL, and post-deployment health symptoms. RESULTS: Forty-three percent of Veterans met our criteria for all three post-deployment conditions (PTSD, depression and chronic wide-spread physical symptoms). Greater engagement in pleasurable activities was associated with better HRQOL for all Veterans regardless of type or level of post-deployment health symptoms. CONCLUSION: Future research should study if interventions that encourage Veterans with post-deployment health conditions to engage in pleasurable activities are effective rehabilitation strategies.
Authors: William K Hallman; Howard M Kipen; Michael Diefenbach; Kendal Boyd; Han Kang; Howard Leventhal; Daniel Wartenberg Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2003-04 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Charles W Hoge; Artin Terhakopian; Carl A Castro; Stephen C Messer; Charles C Engel Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Matthew Jakupcak; Lisa J Roberts; Christopher Martell; Patrick Mulick; Scott Michael; Richard Reed; Kimberly F Balsam; Dan Yoshimoto; Miles McFall Journal: J Trauma Stress Date: 2006-06
Authors: Lewis E Kazis; Austin Lee; Avron Spiro; William Rogers; Xinhua S Ren; Donald R Miller; Alfredo Selim; Alaa Hamed; Samuel C Haffer Journal: Health Care Financ Rev Date: 2004