Psychological consequences among veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

Although there is an increasing number of studies reporting the psychological impact of COVID-19 on the general population and healthcare workers, relatively less attention has been paid to the veterans. This study aimed to review the existing literature regarding the psychological consequences of COVID-19 on veterans. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to December 3, 2022. A total of twenty-three studies were included with moderate-quality of evidence. Veterans experienced more mental health problems than civilians. The prevalence rates of alcohol use, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, stress, loneliness, and suicide ideation significantly increased during the pandemic, ranging from 9.6% to 47.4%, 9.4% to 53.5%, 8.6% to 55.1%, 4.1% to 58.0%, 4.3% to 39.4%, 15.9% to 28.4%, and 7.8% to 22.0%, respectively. The main risk factors of negative consequences included pandemic-related stress, poor family relationships, lack of social support, financial problems, and preexisting mental disorders. In contrast, higher household income and greater community interaction and support appeared to be resilience factors. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased adverse mental health consequences among veterans. Tackling mental health issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic among veterans should be a priority.

Automated summary

While many studies have examined the psychological impact of COVID-19 on the general population and healthcare workers, there has been less focus on veterans. This study reviewed existing literature and found that veterans experienced significantly higher rates of mental health issues during the pandemic, including alcohol use, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stress, loneliness, and suicide ideation. Risk factors for negative consequences included pandemic-related stress, poor family relationships, lack of social support, financial problems, and preexisting mental disorders, while higher household income and greater community interaction and support were found to be protective factors. Overall, addressing the mental health effects of COVID-19 on veterans should be a priority.