Pilot Study of an English Language Coaching Opportunity for Volunteering among US Military Veterans with Depression, Anxiety, and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Journal of Affective Disorders Reports(2024)
摘要
Background
Many military Veterans experience mood and anxiety disorders and might benefit from purposeful social interactions. In this pilot study, we evaluated a program in which Veterans with these disorders provided coaching via webcam for English-language learners (ELLs).
Methods
Veterans with depression, anxiety, and/or PTSD and ELLs were recruited online. Pairs participated in up to 8 videoconferencing sessions. Pre-post measures of Veterans’ mental health included the PHQ-8, GAD-7, PCL-5, and a scale of “mattering.” Volunteers and ELLs completed satisfaction surveys, and ELLs reported their comfort and fluency with English.
Results
Veterans (N=26) were on average 49.6 years old (SD: 15.2), 57.7% were men, and 53.9% reported that they often experienced a lack of companionship or social isolation. Pairs completed on average 6.2 sessions. Satisfaction in both groups was high, and 73.1% of participants said that they planned to keep in touch. Mean scores improved for Veterans’ symptoms of depression (from 10.6 to 7.6, P=.0001), anxiety (from 9.0 to 6.5, P=.001), and PTSD (from 29.2 to 22.8, P=.0007). The proportion of Veterans with at least moderate symptoms improved for depression (61.5% to 38.5%; P=.014) and anxiety (38.5% to 19.2%; P=.025). Mattering scores improved (P=.008). ELLs reported improvements in their English comfort and fluency.
Limitations
This was an uncontrolled pilot trial with short-term outcomes designed primarily to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention rather than test hypotheses about effect sizes.
Conclusions
This intervention may represent a scalable opportunity for Veterans to increase positive socialization and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
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关键词
depression,anxiety,post-traumatic stress disorder,PTSD,volunteerism,life purpose
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