Name
E13 - Understanding the Experiences of Women Undergoing Medical Separation from the United States Military
Date & Time
Friday, October 25, 2024, 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Location Name
Bonham C
Description

The transition from military to civilian life after being found medically unfit for duty can be accompanied by uncertainty about the future, emotional distress, significant changes in finances and family life, and even thoughts of suicide (Hoffmire et al., 2022; Lee-Tauler et al., 2024). Military women may have unique experiences during this transition in relation to the physical and mental health conditions prompting separation and the support they receive (Boros & Erolin, 2021; Eichler et al., 2021; Lacks & Lamson, 2018). This presentation will provide an overview of the medical separation process and the findings of qualitative interviews with 18 women who were either undergoing medical separation from the U.S. military or who had medically separated within 12 months of the interview. Themes from the interviews include gender and sex-specific factors related to participants’ medical condition, the impact of the transition on identity (e.g., as a mother), the impact of the transition on families and relationships, and support received throughout the transition, particularly in relation to suicide risk. The presentation will conclude with recommendations for supporting women who are medically separating from the military.

Speakers
Erin Cobb PhD, LMFT, Research Scientist, USUHS, MD
Co-Authors
Su Yeon Lee-Tauler, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Suicide CPR Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Jessica M LaCroix, PhD, Deputy Director, Suicide CPR Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Jacquie Lee, Research Associate, Suicide CPR Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Tierney K Huppert, Research Associate, Suicide CPR Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Amber M Winters, Research Associate, Suicide CPR Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Max Stivers, Research Associate, Suicide CPR Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; A. Penelope Arellano-Euribe, Research Associate, Suicide CPR Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Joseph Grammer, Research Associate, Suicide CPR Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Kathryn J Alvarado, Research Associate, Suicide CPR Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; David Boyd, Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer Assistant, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD; Lee E Patterson, Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD; Mario F Golle, MD, Director, Integrated Disability Evaluation System, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD; Marjan Ghahramanlou Holloway, PhD, Director, Suicide CPR Initiative, Professor, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
Content Level
All Audience
Tags
Patient-centered care or Patient perspectives, Prevention, Underserved populations (e.g. LGBTQ)
Session Type
Concurrent
SIG or Committee
JMC, F&H
Slideshow link
View Slideshow
Handout 1 Link
View Handout 1
Objective 1
Describe the key players and steps involved in the process of being found medically unfit for duty
Objective 2
Identify at least three themes that influence women’s experiences when undergoing medical separation from the U.S. military
Objective 3
Describe possible points of intervention and collaborative care to support women through medical separation
Content Reference 1

Lee-Tauler, S. Y., LaCroix, J. M., Huppert, T. K., Winters, A. M., Stivers, M., Arellano-Euribe, A. P., Grammer, J. C., Cobb, E., Alvarado, K. J., Boyd, D., Lee, P. E., Golle, M. F., & Ghahramanlou-Holloway, M. (2024). A qualitative study of transitioning Service members undergoing medical disability evaluations. Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Content Reference 2

Hoffmire, C. A., Borowski, S., Griffin, B. J., Maguen, S., & Vogt, D. (2022). Trajectories of suicidal ideation following separation from military service: Overall trends and group differences. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 52, 413-426.

Content Reference 3

Eichler, M., Smith-Evans, K., Spanner, L., & Tam-Seto, L. (2021). Mind the gap: Sex, gender, and intersectionality in military-to-civilian transitions. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 7(Suppl 1), 19-36.

Content Reference 4

Boros, P., & Erolin, K. S. (2021). Women veterans after transition to civilian life: An interpretive phenomenological analysis. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 33(4), 330-353.

Content Reference 5

Lacks, M., & Lamson, A. (2018). The biopsychosocial-spiritual health of active duty women. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 21(7), 707-720.