Aims.Adults who experienced the 1992 and 2008 armed conflicts in the Republic of Georgia were exposed to multiple traumatic events and stressors over many years. The aim was to investigate what coping strategies are used by conflict-affected persons in Georgia and their association with mental disorders.Method.A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 3600 adults, representing internally displaced persons (IDPs) from conflicts in the 1990s (n = 1200) and 2008 (n = 1200) and former IDPs who returned to their homes after the 2008 conflict (n = 1200). Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and coping strategies were measured using the Trauma Screening Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalised Anxiety and adapted version of the Brief Coping Inventory, respectively. Descriptive and multivariate regression analyses were used.Results.Coping strategies such as use of humour, emotional support, active coping, acceptance and religion were significantly associated with better mental health outcomes. Coping strategies of behavioural and mental disengagement, denial, venting emotions, substance abuse and gambling were significantly associated with poorer mental health outcomes. The reported use of coping strategies varied significantly between men and women for 8 of the 15 strategies addressed.Conclusions.Many conflict-affected persons in Georgia are still suffering mental health problems years after the conflicts. A number of specific coping strategies appear to be associated with better mental health and should be encouraged and supported where possible.

Women have had a presence in nearly every U.S. military conflict since the War for Independence (Burrelli, 2012). Although the number of women participating in the military, the roles held, and the nature of their experiences have varied throughout the years, their presence has been increasingly apparent for the past 20 years (Burrelli, 2012). During the most recent military conflicts (Operation Enduring Freedom [OEF], Operation Iraqi Freedom [OIF], and Operation New Dawn [OND]), 12% of American troops were women. To date, there are approximately 1 million active-duty service members inclusive of 200,000 women. Moreover, another 190,000 women currently serve in the military reserves and National Guard (Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, 2011). According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA; 2015), there are more than 2 million female veterans in the United States and Puerto Rico, and this number is anticipated to grow, as the Secretary of Defense has ordered the military to open all military positions-including combat positions-to women.

Introduction: Behavioral health and other preventable factors account for nearly half of all premature deaths in the United States. Motivational interviewing (MI) is effective for engaging ambivalent patients in behavior change. However, many clinicians report barriers to receiving MI training, including time, cost, and travel. This study examined the effect of a 2-day virtual MI training built around didactic and real-play learning activities. Methods: Thirty interprofessional clinicians from eight Veterans Affairs medical centers and their community-based outpatient clinics across 4 US states attended a 2-day virtual MI training. Participants completed a posttraining evaluation and a 3-month posttraining evaluation. Results: Participants reported that they learned new knowledge and skills, and they would be able to apply these to their practice (M > 4).They reported high satisfaction with the training and platform and found the technology easy to use (M > 4). In the 3-month posttraining survey, participants reported that they were using MI in their practice (M = 4.19) and that they would like additional support, such as additional reading (n = 8). Discussion: This study demonstrates the effect of a 2-day virtual MI training built around didactic and real-play learning activities. Virtual training particularly enhances training opportunities in rural settings. Our training removed travel and payment as barriers to participation.

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