Evaluation of Components to Include in a Crosscutting Prevention Model Adaptable for Use Across Diverse Military...

Harmful behaviors and segmentation of prevention efforts affect military readiness. This project builds upon existing prevention models and engages in a collaborative process with project sites to assess existing prevention programs and address their underutilization. This approach focuses on developing sustainable solutions that generate the most benefit to military readiness with the least demand on military infrastructure.

Four military sites participated in discovery interviews and provided de-identified data sets with information on existing prevention programs and resources. Interviewees were recruited via emails provided by the site's designated point of contact. All data were organized and coded into key themes to help identify behavioral trends, program successes, program needs, and potential areas for improvement; then broken down to target service member readiness using Universal, Selective, and Indicated approaches. Although the sample was not representative, it provided opportunities to examine operations at various sites. Arizona State University's Institutional Review Board and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command's Office of Human Research Oversight approved the discovery interviews and subsequent data analysis.

Altogether, 100 discovery interviews were conducted across military sites to identify key themes. The key themes identified as areas of concern were limitations on resource navigation, lack of resources for training, staffing shortages, and barriers to communication and collaboration. The sites provided 288 supplemental data sets to further identify trends and areas for improvement.

This project highlights the successes, including a variety of available programs and common goals, and challenges, including coordination and resource utilization, across participating sites. These findings emphasize the importance of working with military sites to increase their interactions with data and collaboration. Future research should explore additional strategies to address harmful behaviors and the needs of service members and their families to enhance well--being through grassroots efforts and collaborative partnerships.