One-day Life Skills Workshop for Veterans With TBI, Pain, and Psychopathology: Evaluating Efficacy and Mechanism of Change

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is the signature wound of Veterans returning from the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan (i.e., OIF/OEF/OND), with up to 20 percent experiencing persistent post-concussive symptoms. Among Veterans with mTBI, the majority also experience stress-based psychopathology (e.g., depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and/or generalized anxiety disorder) and chronic pain. To cope with distress, pain, and other difficulties, Veterans often turn to maladaptive avoidant coping strategies which offer short term relief but exacerbate/maintain mental health problems and have detrimental long-term effects on social, occupational, and community reintegration. Unfortunately, Veterans face important barriers to seeking mental health treatment, including stigma and logistical issues. This proposal aims to examine 1) the impact of a Veteran-centered, non-stigmatizing, 1-day "life skills group workshop" on overall distress and reintegration; and 2) the mechanisms by which this treatment might work as well as possible influences on treatment efficacy.