Suchergebnisse

LAY SUMMARY Chronic pain continues to be a highly prevalent condition among Canadian Veterans. This study applied the biopsychosocial framework to chronic pain, using different structural equation modelling solutions. This approach allowed for assessment of all factors simultaneously with a model with latent variables. One of the model solutions showed demographic variables do not predict chronic pain. However, these variables should be used to control the modelling process because of their statistical differences. Moreover, biological factors, such as an increased number of physical problems, increased the likelihood of having chronic pain. Psychosocial factors showed increased scores for not having chronic pain.

LAY SUMMARY This study aimed to understand how common chronic pain is among Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans and the characteristics that were related with having fewer activities limited by pain using the Life After Service Survey (LASS) 2019. The LASS was a Statistics Canada telephone survey of CAF Veterans released in 1998–2018. About 1 in 2 (50.7%) reported living with chronic pain. CAF Veterans between 50 and 59 years who were female, employed, had higher education, higher rank, longer length of service, or higher income had fewer activities limited by chronic pain. High levels of mastery (feeling in control of factors affecting one's life) was linked to having fewer activities limited by pain among people with moderate to severe pain. The strong link between higher mastery and fewer activities limited by pain points to a need for pain management supports addressing aspects of CAF Veterans' well-being beyond pain severity and physical health.

LAY SUMMARY The objective of this research was to explore the association between demographic and service characteristics and mental health in Canadian Veterans of the Reserve Force. The Reserve Force Class C model showed that marital status, age, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and type of release were associated with mental health. The Reserve Force Class A/B model showed that age, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and type of release were associated with mental health. These results showed that similar factors were associated with the mental health score, with different degrees of association by reserve class. These results will help to better describe Reserve Force Veterans that may require mental health assistance.

LAY SUMMARYThis research explored the demographic, military service, and health characteristics associated with cannabis for medical purposes (CMP) reimbursements among Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) clients and respondents of the Life After Service Survey 2016 (LASS). Of the initial number of indicators selected contained in the LASS 2016, some specific variables were significantly associated with CMP reimbursement, from which physical/mental health and well-being indicators, such as anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, bowel ulcer, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, needing help with tasks, psychological distress, and having three or more conditions of the PTSD diagnosis, were positively associated with CMP. Moreover, unemployment, having low income (< $5,000), a difficult adjustment, being very dissatisfied with life, having low social support, a weak community belonging, and reporting high stress also increased the odds of being reimbursed. These results will help to identify a preliminary profile of VAC clients with higher need for CMP reimbursement.