VA Office of Research and Development
Given their elevated risk for suicide and barriers to engaging in VHA healthcare, violence-exposed women Veterans represent a specialized population for which expansions to current VHA programming are needed. This pilot study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the Growth, Resilience, Insight, and Togetherness (GRIT), a therapeutic retreat program developed with and for Veteran women, to improve social functioning as a potential upstream suicide prevention strategy in comparison to a self-guided program. If found acceptable and feasible, data gathered will inform subsequent program development and identify avenues for further research on use of retreats grounded in Whole Health principles for additional subpopulations of women Veterans and/or other high-risk populations that may benefit.
Women Veterans are exposed to interpersonal violence at high rates throughout their lifespans which may escalate risk for psychosocial impairment and suicidal behavior. Facets of social functioning such as connectedness and social support can mitigate suicide risk. Given their risk for suicide and barriers to engaging in Veterans Administration (VHA) healthcare, violence-exposed women Veterans represent a specialized population for which expansion of VHA programming to include opportunities for socialization and community building as a key component of holistic health are needed. Coinciding wi…
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Experienced interpersonal violence as evidenced by endorsement of items 6, 7, 8, 9, or 11 from the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5® 2. Are willing and able to participate in a two overnight, three-day, retreat and complete pre- and post-retreat surveys 3. Are actively engaged in VHA mental healthcare (i.e., have a documented mental health visit with a VA provider within the last 90 days 4. Endorse some difficulties in social functioning as indicated by a score \>2 on at least two items of the social functioning questionnaire 5. Ability to speak, read, and understand spo…
3-day retreat conducted in person, in a group setting.
3-day self paced program. Conducted individually with group pre- and post-program sessions.