U.S. Army risk and resilience study begins next round

By Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Manpower and Reserve AffairsNovember 14, 2022

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The Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers - Longitudinal Study (STARRS-LS) is a major research effort focused on self-harming behaviors and related behavioral health conditions in Soldiers. While the initial baseline study ran from 2009-2015, STARRS-LS has been ongoing since 2015. Three rounds of follow-up surveys have been completed. The next round of surveys begins on Nov. 7, 2022 and will continue through April 2024.

The study's Wave 4 Survey Production Period builds upon more than 107,000 baseline surveys and nearly 40,000 follow-up surveys collected by the University of Michigan’s Survey Team over the last twelve years. Survey results have enabled the Army and DoD to develop helpful tools for Soldiers and leaders to decrease the risk of behavioral health problems.

Current participant involvement is crucial to the study as they are part of a carefully selected sample representing one out of every 100 Soldiers. As a result, each participant’s answers are standing in for those of 99 other Soldiers and Veterans. Because the almost 14,000 Soldier and Veteran study participants cannot be replaced in the survey, the study's project director encourages current participants to complete this round of the survey either online or by telephone with a professional interviewer from the University of Michigan.

Additionally, study findings have been provided to a research advisory team that explores implementing key findings into actions to improve the health and well-being of Soldiers and Veterans.

The STARRS research platform also informs and collaborates on other efforts, such as the VA’s homelessness problem, Soldier transition from military to civilian status, the SECARMY-directed Army Suicide Prevention Leadership Tool (R4) Study, GAO reports on behavioral health, and the recent AAA Research of Harmful Soldier Behaviors Audit, to name a few.

STARRS-LS is directed and funded by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)/Defense Health Agency (OASD (HA)/DHA), in partnership with the Veterans Administration, U.S. Army, and the National Institute of Mental Health.

The STARRS-LS/R4 Project Office in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Amy (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) serves as the operational management and support arm of the study on behalf of OASD (HA)/DHA.

For more information about STARRS-LS:

STARRS-LS

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Military-and-Veteran-Suicide-Prevention-Strategy.pdf

MEDSCHOOL, PSY, Research, STARRS-LS (usuhs.edu)