@article{cffc589ae18e49b18d683de9282b8ba6,
title = "Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of mental health outcomes in veterans and servicemembers: A scoping review",
abstract = "This PRISMA scoping review explores existing research conducted with United States military samples utilizing ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to evaluate mental health outcomes. EMA facilitates understanding of temporal changes of dynamic variables subject to change difficult to capture in standard laboratory assessment. It also elucidates understanding of complex etiology of mental illness in military and veteran samples and treatment approaches. Thirty-two articles published between 1995 and 2019 met inclusion criteria. Most (68.7%) included studies examined mental health symptoms and their temporal relationship to other outcomes among servicemembers and/or veterans, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders. EMA was frequently employed to better understand underlying mechanisms of mental illness, predict symptom changes, assess feasibility among special populations, and assess treatment outcomes. Considerable variability existed in assessment period duration, number of daily assessments, and EMA modalities utilized. Several research gaps were identified, including underutilization of EMA to study suicide risk in veterans/servicemembers. EMA has great potential for increasing understanding of an array of complex mental health problems; however, this highly promising approach has been largely underutilized to study mental health issues among veteran and military populations to date, perhaps due to institutional delays in its adoption secondary to privacy/data security concerns.",
keywords = "Ambulatory assessment, Continuous monitoring, Diary, Experience sampling, Military, Telehealth monitoring",
author = "Molly Gromatsky and Sullivan, {Sarah R.} and Spears, {Angela Page} and Emily Mitchell and Samantha Walsh and Kimbrel, {Nathan A.} and Marianne Goodman",
note = "Funding Information: Last, an examination of funding sources for studies included in this scoping review revealed that more than half were supported by VHA or military support. However, the remainder received financial support from other non-military agencies (either in addition or instead of VHA/military support). While veteran and military personnel may benefit from research funded by any financial source, these results suggest that greater funding from VHA/military sources for research implementing novel research methodology (including EMA ) is necessary – particularly those examining dynamic variables like mental health symptoms. The allocation of resources for EMA research by these agencies will encourage innovative technological approaches to assessment and intervention delivery within the VHA and DoD systems that directly benefit veterans and military personnel. EMA has great potential for increasing understanding of a wide array of complex mental health problems in veterans, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Funding Information: A majority (83.9%) of included papers reported some funding source. Although samples were restricted to entirely military personnel and/or veterans, sources of financial support varied. Most studies (65.4%) with funding reported received at least some support from a VA or military source (e.g., Department of Defense; DoD). However, either instead of or in addition to VA/military funding, over half (53.8%) of funded studies received financial support from the National nstitute of Health ( NIH ), not-for-profit agencies, or other private sources. Funding Information: A majority (83.9%) of included papers reported some funding source. Although samples were restricted to entirely military personnel and/or veterans, sources of financial support varied. Most studies (65.4%) with funding reported received at least some support from a VA or military source (e.g., Department of Defense; DoD). However, either instead of or in addition to VA/military funding, over half (53.8%) of funded studies received financial support from the National nstitute of Health (NIH), not-for-profit agencies, or other private sources.Last, an examination of funding sources for studies included in this scoping review revealed that more than half were supported by VHA or military support. However, the remainder received financial support from other non-military agencies (either in addition or instead of VHA/military support). While veteran and military personnel may benefit from research funded by any financial source, these results suggest that greater funding from VHA/military sources for research implementing novel research methodology (including EMA) is necessary ? particularly those examining dynamic variables like mental health symptoms. The allocation of resources for EMA research by these agencies will encourage innovative technological approaches to assessment and intervention delivery within the VHA and DoD systems that directly benefit veterans and military personnel. EMA has great potential for increasing understanding of a wide array of complex mental health problems in veterans, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors.This research was supported by the VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). We would also like to acknowledge Levy Library for providing access to Covidence. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the U.S. Government or the Veterans Administration. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020",
year = "2020",
month = oct,
doi = "10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113359",
language = "English",
volume = "292",
journal = "Psychiatry Research",
issn = "0165-1781",
publisher = "Elsevier Ireland Ltd",
}