Risk and Protective Factors: Suicide in the Military

Suicide rates in the military are on the decline, yet on the rise in the National Guard and Reserve components. Training programs to educate and raise awareness about suicide have been implemented in all branches of the military. There is a lot of research about suicide risk and protective factors in the general population and Active Duty military population, but there is not research that identifies service members’ perceptions on what those risk and protective factors may be. Nor is there research that explores the perceptions of stigma in the military regarding suicide. Knowing how service members perceive suicide risk and protective factors and stigma in the military may give some insight into how well the training programs are working. This study compared the perception of suicide risk and protective factors of new members to the service and veterans. The research showed that the two groups have similar perceptions regarding risk and protective factors, yet have fairly differing perceptions about stigma in the military. The veteran sample believes that service members are uncomfortable reporting mental health concerns to the military; the veterans also believe that the military discriminates against service members with mental health issues. The new service member sample believes that it is safe to ask for help regarding suicide in the military; they also believe that the military wants to help those with mental health issues. The research also shows that unit cohesion and family support are strong protective factors for suicide. Based on the findings I recommend improving family involvement in the military. I also recommend creating more unity within Guard and Reserve units. The research also shows there is a lack of resources for Guard and Reserve members; I recommend further research studies identify where the greatest needs for resources are

Risk and Protective Factors: Suicide in the Military

Suicide rates in the military are on the decline, yet on the rise in the National Guard and Reserve components. Training programs to educate and raise awareness about suicide have been implemented in all branches of the military. There is a lot of research about suicide risk and protective factors in the general population and Active Duty military population, but there is not research that identifies service members’ perceptions on what those risk and protective factors may be. Nor is there research that explores the perceptions of stigma in the military regarding suicide. Knowing how service members perceive suicide risk and protective factors and stigma in the military may give some insight into how well the training programs are working. This study compared the perception of suicide risk and protective factors of new members to the service and veterans. The research showed that the two groups have similar perceptions regarding risk and protective factors, yet have fairly differing perceptions about stigma in the military. The veteran sample believes that service members are uncomfortable reporting mental health concerns to the military; the veterans also believe that the military discriminates against service members with mental health issues. The new service member sample believes that it is safe to ask for help regarding suicide in the military; they also believe that the military wants to help those with mental health issues. The research also shows that unit cohesion and family support are strong protective factors for suicide. Based on the findings I recommend improving family involvement in the military. I also recommend creating more unity within Guard and Reserve units. The research also shows there is a lack of resources for Guard and Reserve members; I recommend further research studies identify where the greatest needs for resources are

A Classroom Experiment on Exchange Rate Determination with Purchasing Power Parity

We develop a classroom experiment on exchange rate determination appropriate for undergraduate courses in macroeconomics and international economics. Students represent citizens from different countries and need to obtain currency to purchase goods. By participating in a sealed bid auction to buy currency, students gain a better understanding of currency markets and the determination of exchange rates. The implicit framework for exchange rate determination is one in which prices are perfectly flexible (in the long run) so that purchasing power parity (PPP) prevails. Additional treatments allow students to examine the impact of transport costs, nontradable goods and tariffs on the exchange rate and to explore possible deviations from PPP.

WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE SUCCESS IN PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS? LESSONS FOR NEUROSCIENCE POLICY

Since the 1600s, public-private partnerships (P3s) have been a means of uniting the greatest strengths of the public and private sectors to create unique collaborations that share risk and reduce cost to produce public and semi-public goods. Despite P3s being used for centuries, they have only been integrated in the American health system and research activities since the 1990s, with very little research conducted to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and appropriateness in health and science. This is particularly true in burgeoning areas of scientific research such as neuroscience, where application of P3s is almost nonexistent. This dissertation investigates factors leading to successes and failures in existing P3s in neuroscience and examines how lessons learned might be used to construct public policy that, where appropriate, facilitates and supports P3s that move neuroscience forward. Exploratory methods are used, including 30 online questionnaires and 12 key informant interviews (KIIs) collected from six key stakeholder groups. The questionnaires revealed eight factors that either facilitate or hinder P3 creation and sustainability. KIIs revealed another five subfactors. All 42 participants discussed their perspectives on definitions of success and failure of P3s, resulting in a variety of definitions that often consolidated around stakeholder groupings. Results also exposed a number of anticipated factors that were either previously misunderstood or not as important to P3 creation and sustainability in neuroscience as they are in other areas of focus. Findings suggest P3s could play an important role in advancing neuroscience research and work but much more is needed than federal and state-level policy recommendations for the uptake of P3s in science. Major barriers to neuroscience P3s exist within U.S. organizational culture and a guiding model for how to partner is lacking. Thus, the plan for change explains how modified public policy, a new P3 model, and an effective communication strategy may improve the pursuit of P3s in neuroscience. The plan for change proposes 1) federal and state policy changes to incentivize neuroscience-based P3s, 2) the creation of a new science-based P3 model, and 3) a communication strategy to improve public and private sector understanding of government P3 objectives and capabilities.Doctor of Public Healt

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation: Clinical Examination and Outcomes Assessment

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the United States. The treatment for breast cancer occurs along a protracted time period and includes many different disease treatment modalities. These treatments carry with them a large number of adverse effects that negatively impact function in both the short term and long term. It is necessary for rehabilitation providers to interface with patients being treated for breast cancer throughout the continuum of care so that interval assessments can be conducted to identify emerging impairments and alleviate disability. To achieve this, the rehabilitation provider must have an understanding of the clinical measurement tools best suited for examination and assessment of breast cancer-related impairments and disability. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the evidence supporting the use of various clinical measurement tools for the breast cancer population and highlights the implementation of rehabilitation examination and assessment along the continuum of disease treatment

Identifying Relationships Between High‐Risk Sexual Behaviors and Screening Positive for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea in School‐Wide Screening Events

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/96430/1/josh12004.pd

Toward a Research Agenda for Oncology Physical Therapy

Research Round-up: Cancer survivors frequently experience cancer treatment–related functional impairments and disability. While a growing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions for these individuals, there are significant gaps in the existing literature and no interdisciplinary agreement on the priorities for cancer rehabilitation research. In 2016, the Oncology Section revised its strategic plan and set an objective to create an oncology rehabilitation research agenda for the physical therapy (PT) profession. To achieve this goal, the scope of the agenda, a development and review process, and dissemination plan need to be developed