Doctor of Philosophy / School of Family Studies and Human Services / Charlotte Shoup Olsen / Farrell J. Webb / Homelessness has become an enduring fixture of contemporary United States society. Female veterans face a host of unique challenges; females often carry the burden of serving in the armed forces, while balancing marriages, motherhood, and care giving responsibilities in their home lives. As the veterans return to their lives as civilians, the females who served in the military must deal with the possibility of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape while in the armed services. Female service members are twice as likely to have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) than their male service members and are three to four times more likely to become homeless. Understanding this view of homelessness from the female veteran’s perspective is limited due to small sample sizes in previous research efforts. However, with the increasing numbers of homeless female veterans it is imperative to understand the risk factors. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using a modified framework for studying vulnerable populations. The study was designed to explore the meaning of homelessness from the female homeless veteran’s perspective. Second, risk factors were examined for homelessness and the services necessary for the female veteran to exit the homeless cycle. Third, the data were coded and analyzed to identify patterns and commonalities of multiple psycho social factors such as unstable family support, domestic violence, job loss, affordable housing options, substance abuse, mental and physical health issues. These factors were cited as the leading risk factors contributing to the homeless state of this sample of female veterans. The data collection consisted of ten homeless female veterans participating in a private, audio taped interview using a semi-structure interview tool. Resources listed as a necessity to end homelessness consisted of affordable housing, job security, earning a living wage income, transportation, remaining drug free, and being awarded disability. The pathway to homelessness varied for each participant, but they all demonstrated a tremendous amount of resiliency.

Penser la mise en récit de l’espace permet de circuler dans des marges que sont celles de l’art, de la littérature, de la politique, du cinéma. L’analyse rhétorique des processus de mise en récit de l’espace montre, en trois temps, que l’apport architectural définit et redéfinit les possibilités de déplacements des discours dans leur ouverture ou leur fermeture. Dans un premier temps, le passage du modernisme au postmodernisme, par l’analyse du Mémorial des vétérans du Vietnam, à Washington, qui déconstruit le récit programmatique d’un ordre, permet une nouvelle performativité du réel. Dans un deuxième temps, la monumentalité du Lower Manhattan, par sa verticalité, présente sa mise en récit comme un palimpseste dont toutes traces, idées, pratiques, utopies et destructions constituent des éléments légitimant et critiquant le récit en train de s’écrire. Par un passage de sa représentation, dans la littérature, notamment, la verticalité est alors une ligne de fuite dont le mouvement ascendant, puis descendant, montre l’inachèvement du récit. Dans un dernier temps, l’édification du Mémorial du World Trade Center, se réinscrit dans un modèle discursif unitaire compris comme un vaste dispositif qui réaffirme un retour à un ordre du discours, à un âge politique de la mémoire. Cet espace, c’est celui du pèlerinage, du lieu sacré qui fait parler ses morts au nom d’une autorité, la catastrophe, l’indicible, qui met en suspend la possibilité de la parole qui est autre. Cette réflexion entend présenter ces espaces qui se mettent en récit. / Thinking space narrative helps circulate in the margins of those of art, literature, politics, film. The rhetorical analysis of space narratives and its storytelling process shows, in three stages, that architectural contribution defines and redefines the possibilities of movement of speech in their opening or closing. First, the transition from modernism to postmodernism, by the analysis of Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, which deconstructs the programmatic narrative of an order allows a new performativity of reality. Secondly, the monumentality of Lower Manhattan, by its verticality, presents its narrative process set as a palimpsest where all traces, ideas, practices, utopias and destruction are legitimizing and criticizing elements in the narratives being written. By passing its representation in literature, in particular, the verticality is then a leakage whose upward movement, then down, shows the incompleteness of the story. Last, the building of the World Trade Center Memorial, re-entered into a unitary discursive model understood as a wide dispositif that reaffirms a return to an order of discourse, a political age memory. This space is one of the pilgrimage, the sacred place which makes his dead speak on behalf of an authority, which withhold the possibility of speech form outside. This reflection intends to present those spaces which are put in narrative.

ASSESSING DEPLOYMENT RISK AND RESILIENCY FACTORS AND THE ADJUSTMENT OUTCOMES OF POLICE OFFICERS SERVING IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM By Paula Barrows Davenport, MS A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012 Director: Dr. Janet R. Hutchinson Professor and Chair of the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies The goal of this exploratory study was to evaluate risk and resiliency factors from the Deployment Risk and Resiliency Inventory (DRRI) in predicting post-deployment adjustment outcomes among police officers who served in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) as part of the National Guard/Reserve (NGR). A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 44 police officers who were OEF/OIF veterans assessing risk and resiliency factors as well as current levels of anxiety, aggression, alcohol use, and PTSD symptoms. Regression analyses revealed concerns over family personal relationships and career matters during deployment along with more exposure to critical incidents involving family members predicted higher levels of alcohol use. Conversely, exposure to critical incidents involving personal safety predicted lower levels of alcohol use while exposure to hostile combat missions predicted lower levels of aggression. Post-deployment social support and military support during deployment predicted lower levels of alcohol usage, anxiety and PTSD/depression while unit peer social support predicted higher levels of alcohol usage. This study highlighted the mistrust among police veteran police officers of mental health professionals. Mistrust of mental health personnel predicted a higher level of aggression and the fear of stigma for receiving mental health assistance predicted higher alcohol usage. This document was created in Microsoft Word 2003.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the relationship between combat experience and mental health outcomes. The study sought to determine whether age was a significant factor in poor mental health outcomes. Methods: Multiple logistic regression (n = 195,048) and multiple linear regression (n = 264,154) were performed on the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. Veteran status and a host of demographic and health status questions were analyzed in relation to diagnosis of anxiety or depressive disorder (multiple logistic regression) and to number of days poor mental health (multiple linear regression). Results: Diagnosis of anxiety or depression was not found to be associated with veteran status. Among both veterans and non-veterans, diagnosis was associated with age Conclusions: Contrary to expectations, veteran status was found to be a protective factor for poor mental health outcomes in this analysis. Younger age was found to be associated with poor mental health outcomes, but was an equal association in both veterans and non-veterans, suggesting that mental health outcomes have not been worsened by recent changes in combat characteristics. Denial of mental health status, stoicism within the military community, and limitations of the survey are proposed to explain the unexpected outcome of this analysis.

Background: Concern has been voiced over the needs of ex-military personnel following their discharge from military service and subsequent transition to community living. This concern has extended to include veterans, particularly those who have mental health, drug or alcohol problems, who come into contact with criminal justice services and are imprisoned. Research examining the experiences of military veterans prior to and during their incarceration in Scottish prisons was carried out. This study sought to examine whether veteran prisoners form a unique prison sub-group with different health, social and criminogenic needs when compared to non-veteran prisoners, and how veteran prisoners differ from non-prisoner veterans. Additionally an exploration of veterans’ experiences of prison, and what they believed caused or contributed to their imprisonment, was conducted. This sought to identify whether veterans in prison had unique vulnerability/ risk factors and whether they had a common or idiographic pathway that led to their incarceration. Methods and design: This study comprised of three separate but linked parts. It adopted a mixed-method approach combining quantitative analysis of survey data (Part 1) with qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis of focus group (Part 2) and interview data (Part 3). Survey data examined, through the use of standardised questionnaires, a range of themes; including, mental health and wellbeing, substance and alcohol use, childhood experiences, offending histories, and military experience. In Part 1 participants were recruited into three separate groups. Group 1 consisted of veterans in prison, while Group 2 consisted of prisoners who had no military experience and Group 3 comprised of Scottish Prison Service staff who had previous military experience. In Parts 2 and 3 participants were recruited from the veteran prisoner population, with participants in Part 3 having declared current mental health and/or substance use problems. Findings: Analysis of survey data identified many differences in health and wellbeing, and some differences in length of, and discharge from, military service, when comparing veteran prisoners with a non-imprisoned veteran group. Both groups, however, appeared to have similar levels of combat exposure. Comparison between veteran prisoners and non-veteran prisoners identified more similarities than differences across most of the measures. Many of the mental health drug or alcohol problems experienced by veteran prisoners were also experienced by non-veteran prisoners. Post-traumatic stress disorder did appear to be a specific problem for veteran prisoners but this did not appear to be attributable to their military experience. Additionally, veterans being raised by a mother-figure other than their birth-mother appeared to be a unique risk factor for veteran imprisonment but this finding should be viewed with caution as the number of participants raised by a mother-figure other than their birth mother was small. Findings were mixed regarding how veterans described their experience of imprisonment: some found it unchallenging yet unstimulating while others described feelings of ongoing punishment and a sense of being embattled. Reciprocal processes of dehumanising both prisoners and staff were also evident, as were contradictory experiences on the availability and quality of care provision in prison. Veteran prisoners appeared to identify with their prisoner identity rather than their veteran identity, believing that they were the same as other prisoners and had the same needs. This was evident when veterans described their experiences of forming and maintaining interpersonal relationships, albeit within-prison relationships appeared superficial in nature. While some veterans appeared reluctant to ask for assistance in prison, concerns about the inadequacies or availability of support services appear valid. Gaps in provision of care, particularly mental health care, existed at the time of the study. Lastly, some participants appeared to feel unprepared for their release from prison back to the community. This may stem from their previous experience of transitioning from the military to civilian living but it is more likely the recognition that many prisoners leave prison only to return back to custody. For some veteran prisoners this is because they believe community services are unavailable or unable to help as they struggle to cope with community living. As such, some may consider prison living the easier option. Conclusions and implications: Many of the findings suggested that veteran and non-veteran prisoners had, or were believed to have had, by veteran prisoners, similar ‘needs’ and reasons for offending. Veteran prisoners should, therefore, not be regarded as a specific sub-group of the prison population, and addressing prisoner needs should not be prioritised according to their pre-prison occupational status. Lastly, where gaps in service provision exist, the SPS and its partner agencies, including the NHS, should continue to address these. This should include giving consideration to the adoption of a trauma-informed approach within the prison environment.

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In a time where some 2.4 billion Internet users exist worldwide, children are increasingly impacted by the Internet's influence, both directly and indirectly. With technology now playing a significant role in childhood learning and social development, many unforeseen shifts are occurring that will ultimately impact lifespan development. Although researchers have provided mixed results concerning the impact of the Internet on learning and social development, the body of evidence indicates that veteran K-8 educators who are comfortable and experienced with the Internet view it more favorably. This grounded theory study systematically generated the multisystem technological engagement theory (MSTET) to explain the impact of the Internet on childhood learning and social development. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 self-identified veteran K-8 educators. Analysis of the data was conducted using a 3-tiered method of coding that was verified through the process of triangulation and member-checking. Results of this study indicate that the veteran K-8 educators perceived the Internet's impact as positive, given a specific set of conditions: experience and comfort with the Internet, collaboration with parents, a healthy balance between face-to-face and online social interactions, boundaries, and maximization of benefits from available information and resources. These findings may enhance social change initiatives by providing an evidence basis for both targeted instruction and school counseling practice that facilitates healthy K-8 learning and social development in the Internet Age.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) leaders created a Veterans First Contracting Program (VFCP) under Public Law 109-461 to provide procurement opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs). However, DVA leaders established a preference hierarchy that increased opportunities for SDVOSBs and decreased opportunities for VOSBs. Research was lacking regarding the effects of the preference policy on VOSBs as a distinct small business category. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and understand the experiences of 20 VOSB owners actively enrolled in the VFCP from Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia. Through the lens of distributive justice theory, this study examined the perceptions of VOSB owners about seeking access to VFCP procurement opportunities. These perceptions were examined within a framework of fairness. Qualitative data was collected through semistructured interviews resulting in coding and thematic analysis according to Moustakas modified van Kaam method. Findings uncovered 3 major themes: (a) VOSBs perceived a benefit to VFCP enrollment, (b) preference afforded SDVOSBs affects VOSBs motivation and VFCP competition structure (c) VOSBs perceived an unfair opportunity distribution between SDVOSBs and VOSBs. The study informs government leaders of the need to improve VOSB standing as a small business group. Implications for positive social change may be realized with a policy adjustment designed to strengthen VOSB access to federal procurement opportunities because increased competition has the potential to promote DVA cost savings.

Background - Regular exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and subsequent sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, a small, but notable proportion of athletes die suddenly due to inherited or congenital disorders of the heart that predispose to malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Such tragedies are highly publicised, particularly when high-profile athletes are involved. To date, limited evidence for the efficacy of cardiovascular pre-participation screening exists outside of the Italian experience. Furthermore, limited data exists examining the impact of ethnicity on cardiac adaptations to physical training. Whilst the cardiovascular benefits of exercise are well known, the impact of life-long endurance exercise is less well understood. Long term high-intensity endurance exercise is associated with changes in cardiac morphology together with electrocardiographic alterations that are believed to be physiologic in nature. Recent data however, has suggested a number of deleterious adaptive changes in cardiac structure, function and electrical activity in response to life-long endurance activity. Aims and Objectives - The aims of this PhD were; 1) To find an effective preparticipation screening method that would successfully identify pre-existing cardiovascular abnormalities, 2) To identify the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and Long QT syndrome in elite UK athletes; 3) To examine the impact and significance of ethnicity upon left ventricular remodelling in elite athletes, and 4) To examine the acute and chronic impact of ultra-endurance exercise across the life-span in male endurance athletes. Major Results and Conclusions – 1) Study 2 sought to confirm the efficacy of resting 12-Lead ECG ‘alongside’ personal/family history questionnaires and physical examinations as collective tools to identify diseases that have the potential of causing sudden death within a cohort of elite junior athletes (n=1074) and physically active school children (n=1646). Nine participants were identified with a positive diagnosis of a disease associated with SCD. None of those diagnosed with a disease associated with SCD were symptomatic or had a family history of note. Thus, personal symptoms and family history questionnaires alone are inadequate in the identification of individuals with diseases associated with SCD. In conclusion, resting 12-Lead ECG is paramount when screening for diseases that have the potential of causing sudden death in the young. 2) Study 3 examined 3,500 asymptomatic elite athletes (75% male) with a mean age of 20.5 ± 5.8 years with 12-lead ECG and 2-dimensional echocardiography. None had a known family history of HCM. Of the 3,500 athletes, 53 (1.5%) had LVH (mean 13.6 ± 0.9mm, range 13 to 16mm), and of these 50 had a dilated LV cavity with normal diastolic function to indicate physiological left ventricular hypertrophy. Three (0.08%) athletes with LVH had a non-dilated LV cavity and associated deep T-wave inversion that could have been consistent with HCM. However, none of the 3 athletes had any other phenotypic features of HCM on further non-invasive testing and none had first-degree relatives with features of HCM. In conclusion, the prevalence of HCM in elite athletes is significantly less than in the general population; with the demands of strenuous exercise on the cardiovascular system selecting out most individuals with HCM. Study 4 examined 2000 elite athletes in order to identify the prevalence of Long QT syndrome. Three athletes had a QTc value of >500 ms and all exhibited one of: paradoxical prolongation of QTc during exercise, a confirmatory genetic mutation, or prolonged QTc in a first-degree relative. In contrast, none of the athletes with a QTc value of <500 ms had any other features to indicate LQTS. Accordingly, the prevalence of a prolonged QTc interval in elite British athletes is 0.4%. 3) Study 6 examined 300 nationally ranked UK black male athletes (mean age 20.5 years) in comparison to 150 black and white sedentary individuals and 300 highly-trained white male athletes. Black athletes exhibited greater LV wall thickness and cavity size compared with sedentary black and white individuals. Black athletes had greater LV wall thickness compared with white athletes. A minority of black athlete’s exhibit LVH ≥15 mm; proposing that in the absence of cardiac symptoms or a family history of HCM, an LV wall thickness ≥15 mm in black athletes may represent physiologic LVH when the LV cavity is enlarged and diastolic indexes are normal. 7 black athletes (12%) with LVH displaying deep T-wave inversions in leads V1 to V4. In conclusion, in the absence of obvious pathology, these electrical anomalies in black athletes likely represent a normal spectrum of ECG changes in response to physical training. 4) Study 8 examined 17 male participants (age 33.5 ± 6.5 years, 26–40 years) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and echocardiography before and after a marathon to investigate the relationship between systolic function and diastolic function against biomarkers of cardiac damage. Results demonstrates biomarkers of myocardial cell damage following an acute bout of prolonged exercise are not associated with either systolic or diastolic functional measures, and do not seem to be associated with any detectable myocardial inflammation, oedema, or scarring using either gold standard techniques of gadolinium enhanced CMR or echocardiography respectively. The impact of multiple episodes of prolonged exercise, as experienced by highly trained veteran endurance athlete is not fully understood. 5) Study 10 examined the cardiac structure and function of 12 life-long, competitive endurance veteran athletes (> 50 yrs, mean ± SD marathons 178 ± 209 (range 20 – 650)) against 17 young male endurance athletes (<40 yrs) using echocardiography and CMR with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) to assess myocardial fibrosis. Lifelong veteran athletes had smaller LV and RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (p<0.05) but maintained LV and RV systolic function compared with young athletes. In 6 (50%) of the veteran athletes LGE of CMR indicated the presence of myocardial fibrosis; no LGE in the young athletes. The prevalence of LGE in veteran athletes was not associated with the number of competitive marathons or ultra-endurance marathons (>50 miles) completed, age, LV and RV end-diastolic volumes or LV mass (p>0.05). In conclusion, there is limited evidence at present demonstrating that cardiovascular re-modelling following lifelong endurance exercise leads to long-term disease progression, cardiovascular disability or SCD.

Through their stories, South African Defence Force (SADF) veterans of the Border War participate in the historical revival of South Africa’s involvement in the Angolan conflict, 1966-1989. Their engagement in the Border War discourse sets these veterans apart for an analysis of their motivations to participate and how their views compare and contrast with one another. SADF veterans are reconstructing their past within their present context in the new South Africa. Their struggle to rectify public knowledge and perceptions of the past through the provision of their personal memories is a growing trend within South Africa, one that has become a conversation between the various competing narratives.