Longitudinal studies are commonly used in the social and behavioral sciences to answer a wide variety of research questions. Longitudinal researchers often collect data anonymously from participants when studying sensitive topics to ensure that accurate information is provided. One difficulty gathering longitudinal anonymous data is that of correctly matching participants across waves of data collection. A number of methods have been proposed for using nonidentifying codes to match anonymous participants; however, currently there is no consensus on the most effective method. This article reviews and analyzes the literature on nonidentifying codes and provides recommendations for researchers interested in using these types of codes in conducting anonymous longitudinal studies.

Research has begun to demonstrate the benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for military veterans. However, investigation has lacked on how a prominent feature of military culture, adherence to masculine norms, may impact veterans' experiences of these practices. This research examined the interrelationships among masculinity, mindfulness, and self-compassion as well as how these variables predict well-being (coping and quality of life) in 164 military veterans. Veterans completed all study measures via an online survey. Results demonstrated that mindfulness and self-compassion both predict better coping and quality of life and are related to lower adherence to masculine norms. Masculinity was found related to less active coping, more avoidant/negative emotionality coping, and worse mental health-related quality of life. The Masculinity subscale of Success Dedication, however, was associated with greater mindfulness and active coping and better quality of life. Exploratory results demonstrated a significant moderation effect in which mindfulness predicted greater active coping for veterans with low masculinity but not for veterans with high masculinity. This study provides preliminary data on the role of masculine norms in the context of mindfulness and self-compassion. Although findings link total masculinity scores to negative outcomes, the masculinity component of Success Dedication appears to be a point of commonality between masculinity and mindfulness. Therefore, an effective strategy for clinicians may be to begin the teaching of mindfulness by emphasizing elements that appeal to veterans' norms of success. Public Significance StatementTraditional masculinity among military veterans was associated with lower levels of mindfulness, self-compassion, and mental health-related quality of life as well as with greater levels of avoidant styles of coping. However, the specific masculinity norm related to work success showed relationships with better health and, specifically, a positive relationship with mindfulness. Therefore, although traditional masculinity overall is associated with greater health risks, work success may represent an adaptive element of traditional masculinity.

Objective: There has been little evidence supporting the efficacy of psychoeducation as a stand-alone approach to alleviate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined the efficacy of a standalone psychoeducation PTSD intervention using a group format that incorporated the option of bringing an emotional support person to sessions. Method: PTSD 102 is an eight-session, 1-hr, weekly intervention for veterans and their family members. Pre-and posttreatment symptom measurement data were analyzed from 101 veteran men and women seeking outpatient treatment in a PTSD Clinical Team clinic at a Veteran Health care outpatient facility. Results: Paired-samples t tests were performed, which demonstrated a significant difference in the scores for pretreatment PTSD symptoms (M = 55.049, SD = 14.585) and posttreatment scores (M = 45.696, SD = 17.814); t(100) = 8.496, p , .001. The effect size was d = .843. Additionally, there was a significant difference in the scores for pretreatment depressive symptoms (M = 17.000, SD = 6.183) and posttreatment scores (M = 13.608, SD = 6.229); t(89) = 7.106, p , .001. The effect size was d = .749. Conclusions: Results from this study suggest that integrating emotional support individuals into a psychoeducational PTSD treatment group had a significant impact on mental health symptoms for veteran participants. Clinical Impact StatementThis study supports the efficacy of the PTSD 102 program, a psychoeducational, multicouple, eightsession group, in improving PTSD symptom status among veterans with PTSD and relationship concerns.