CONNECTED

About 43% of Veterans report feeling socially isolated (i.e., having limited social interactions with others). Social isolation is associated with many physical and mental health problems. Although social isolation is very common in the U.S., there are few programs to help individuals who experience social isolation. To address this problem, our research team developed two programs, which are designed to combat social isolation and increase social connectedness among Veterans.

Veterans who are at risk of or are experiencing social isolation are invited to participate in this phase of the project. 

If you choose to participate in this study, you will be asked to do the following:

• Be screened for eligibility for the study. 
  • The study staff will ask you some questions over the phone and review your medical record to see if there is any reason it is not in your best interest to participate in the study.
• Complete 4 surveys over an 8-month period. 
  • The surveys will ask questions about your experiences with social connectedness and your health. 
  • You will ask to complete a survey at the beginning of the study, at 2, 4, and 8 months. 
  • You can complete the survey on your own online or over the phone with a study staff member.
  • Each survey will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. You may skip any question (s) you feel uncomfortable answering or discontinue the study at any time.
• You will be assigned to one of the study programs. You will have 50% chance of participating in the VET BEFRIENDING program or the CONNECTED program. Once you are assigned to the designated program, the research team cannot change that assignment. 
  • Both programs support Veterans who are socially isolated.
  • Both programs are delivered via telehealth (VA Teams).
  • Both programs last 8 weeks and require weekly contact with a study team member. 
  • In both programs, you will have an orientation where you will have opportunity to meet your program leader and get to know each other.

You will receive a $35 incentive for completing the surveys before the study begins, and at 4 and 8 months.  You will receive a $50 incentive for completing the surveys at 2-months. 

Some Veterans will be invited to participate in an interview and will receive an additional $25 incentive upon completion of the interview.

There will be no costs to you for any of the service received or testing done as part of this research study. Eligibility for medical care at a VA Medical Center is based upon the usual VA eligibility policy and is not guaranteed by participation in a research study.

You will not be required to pay for medical care or services received as a subject in a VA research project except as follows: Some veterans are required to pay co-payments for medical care and services provided by the VA. These co-payment requirements will continue to apply to medical care and services provided by VA that are not part of this study.

You will receive ongoing support that may help you become more socially connected, which may improve your wellbeing.

The potential risks for participating in this study are minimal. Potential risks include feeling uncomfortable, upset, or anxious while answering questions during the surveys, or while discussing various topics during one-on-meetings or group sessions, or while being video/audio recorded during the optional an interview. If this happens, the situation will be assessed, and care/services will be provided as deemed appropriate. You can choose to not answer any question or not discuss any question that may make you feel uncomfortable. You can also stop participating at any time for any reason. 

There is also the potential risk of loss of confidentiality. We will minimize this risk by keeping all identifiable information in a locked computer behind the VAs secure system.

Please note that there are some limits to confidentiality. If you present health and/or safety concerns, during the study screening process (or at any point throughout the study), we will connect you with the Veterans Crisis Line and/or the Roudebush VA Medical Center Suicide Prevention Team and appropriate documentation will be made, at which time your provider(s) may also be notified.