Date of Publication
2023
Faculty Mentor
Thomas Delaney, PhD and Leah Grout PhD, MPH
Abstract
Analyzing Protective and Risk Factors for Loneliness in Vermont Veterans: A Cross Sectional Study
Melanie Meyer ND MS1, Steve Leonard MEd1, Angela Spetts MS1, Helen Schafer1, and Noah T. Wells1
- Coalition Of Researchers Against Loneliness, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Abstract:
Objective. To assess protective and risk factors for loneliness in the Vermont veteran population.
Methods. This cross-sectional study used data from 521 veteran participants in the 2020 Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey (n=6544). A binary logistic regression model assessed the relationship between loneliness and veteran status while controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, annual household income, metropolitan residence, and self-reported depression.
Results. Being married/partnered and residence in a metropolitan county were protective factors for loneliness in Vermont veterans, with married/partnered veterans having 2.03 times higher odds (95% CI = 1.20, 3.21) and metropolitan dwellers having 2.22 times higher odds (95% CI = 1.18, 3.85) of reporting adequate social/emotional support. Risk factors for loneliness in veterans include annual household income <$75,000 (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.13, 0.49) and depression (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.60).
Conclusions. Identifying loneliness is likely an important component of physical/mental health care for veterans. Policies to address loneliness and its potential health impacts should prioritize unmarried/unpartnered, low-to-moderate income, rural, and depressed veterans.
Document Type
Project
Recommended Citation
Meyer, Melanie B. ND, MS; Leonard, Steve MEd; Spetts, Angela MS; Schafer, Helen; and Wells, Noah T., "Analyzing Protective and Risk Factors for Loneliness in Vermont Veterans: A Cross Sectional Study" (2023). Master of Public Health Culminating Projects. 39.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/mphcp/39