Association of Social Connectedness with Mental Health Outcomes during COVID in National Guard Service Members

Washington, DC · May 2025

Poster · Clinical Science

Alexandra Blumhorst
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Alexandra Blumhorst
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc.
Joseph Hooke
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Joseph Hooke
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc.
Aaron Weingrad
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Aaron Weingrad
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc.
Holly Mash
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Holly Mash
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc.
Carol Fullerton
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Joshua Morganstein
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Robert Ursano
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Abstract

The current study assessed social connectedness and mental health in 1,393 National Guard service members deployed in response to COVID-19. Increased loneliness and concern about isolation and decreased perceived mattering to others was associated with PTSD and anxiety/depression, suggesting the importance of strategies to improve social connectedness during disasters.

Military

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Association of Social Connectedness with Mental Health Outcomes during COVID in National Guard Service Members

Abstract

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