Vet to Vet Maine: A Pilot Study Measuring Effectiveness of a Veteran Companion Program in Reducing Social Isolation and Loneliness

Marilyn R Gugliucci,Amy Lin,Shirley A Weaver

doi:10.21061/jvs.v7i1.198

Abstract

Maine veterans represent 11.8% of Maine’s population, twice that of the United States. Veterans are at risk for social isolation, loneliness, and suicide. This pilot study assessed (a) the Vet to Vet (Vet2Vet) Maine program mission to reduce veterans’ social isolation and loneliness; and (b) effects of the program on care-partners. Mixed-methods research spanned 6-months from 2019–2020. Trained older Veteran Volunteers-VV (eight men/two women) were paired with older Veteran Friends-VF (eight men/two women); also Veteran Friend’s Care-Partners-CP (one man/three women) participated. VVs completed pre/post Veteran Rand 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). VFs completed pre/post VR-12, PHQ-9, and Late Onset Stress Symptomatology (LOSS) Short-Form. CPs completed pre/post Zarit Burden Interview-22. After 6-months, VV and VF qualitative interviews were conducted in pairs; CPs were interviewed individually. Data (pre/post assessments) were analyzed with the Wilcoxon-Sign-Test and NVivo 12+ Qualitative Software. Pre/post data failed to exhibit significance (p =. 05); however, trends supported mental/physical health scores improvements for VFs. COVID-19 was a confounding variable as state stay-at-home orders occurred at the study mid-point. Four qualitative themes were selected: (a) Veteran Volunteers and Veteran Friends; (b) Effects of COVID; (c) Care-Partners; and (d) Three-Words. Despite differences in interests or military background, VV and VFs valued their commonality as veterans. CPs confirmed the importance and benefits of these relationships. All requested an expansion of the program as it was deemed highly valuable. The Vet to Vet Maine companion program pilot research successfully paired veterans fostering companionship, friendships, mentoring, assisting with benefits, and supporting independence.

Highlights

This study pilots an effort to evaluate the Vet to Vet Maine companion program effectiveness in reducing social isolation and feelings of loneliness, especially for Veteran Friends, those veterans wanting companionship, as well as Veteran Volunteers
The Veteran Volunteers (VV) and Veteran Friends (VF) participant inclusion criteria required (a) that they were veterans who served in active, reserves, and/or guard of the armed forces of the United States; they were enrolled in the Vet to Vet program on or before August 2019; (c) they exhibited good cognition per the intake process when vetted by the Vet to Vet Social Work staff; and (d) the VFs had a “home” space where the visits could take place
The range of scores for the pre-assessment in our study indicate that 90% (n = 9) were below the average in the Mental Component Score (MCS)

Summary

Introduction

This study pilots an effort to evaluate the Vet to Vet Maine companion program effectiveness in reducing social isolation and feelings of loneliness, especially for Veteran Friends, those veterans wanting companionship, as well as Veteran Volunteers. An added component to this study is the inclusion of Veteran Friends’ Care Partners to determine if the Vet to Vet Maine companion program provided any positive effects for them. Like many other social determinants of health, social isolation (i.e., an objective lack of social contact with others) and loneliness (i.e., the subjective feeling of being isolated) are significant yet underappreciated public health risks (Cacioppo & Patrick, 2008). Social isolation and loneliness are associated with poor physical and mental health outcomes including higher rates of mortality, depression, and cognitive decline (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine [NASEM], 2020)

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Results

Conclusion