Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme

Last updated:

This research examined the impact of military service and transition out of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) on the mental, physical and social health of ADF members and their families

Back to top

Programme Overview

The Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme (Programme) is the most comprehensive study undertaken in Australia that examines the impact of military service on the mental, physical and social health of:

  • serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members including those who have been deployed in contemporary conflicts, and
  • their families.

Ten objectives were developed to guide the Programme. The ten objectives were realised through three studies and eight reports:

Key Findings Report

Mental Health and Wellbeing Transition Study (5 reports)

Impact of Combat Study (1 report)

Family Wellbeing Study (1 report)

Back to top

Research approach

Conducted in 2015, the Programme was a collaborative partnership between DVA and Defence. It aimed to implement the Government's goal of ensuring that current and future policy, programs and services are responsive to the current and emerging health and wellbeing needs of serving and ex-serving ADF members and their families before, during and after transition from military life. 
Through surveys and interviews, the researchers engaged with a range of DVA clients and ADF members including:

  • ADF members who transitioned from the Regular ADF between 2010 and 2014 (including Ex-Serving, Active and Inactive Reservists)
  • a random sample of Regular ADF members serving in 2015
  • a sample of Ab-initio Reservists serving in 2015 (who have never been full-time ADF members)
  • 2015 Regular ADF and Transitioned ADF members who had participated in MilHOP
  • family members nominated by the above.

The Programme extended and built on the findings of earlier research conducted with current serving ADF members, in particular the Military Health Outcomes Program (MilHOP).

Back to top

Research rigour

Two well-known Australian research institutions, one specialising in trauma and the other in families, were contracted to lead the Programme.

The Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies at the University of Adelaide conducted the Mental Health and Wellbeing Transition Study and the Impact of Combat Study.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies conducted the Family and Wellbeing Study.

Their research expertise was enhanced through partner institutions from Monash University, the University of New South Wales, Phoenix Australia — Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health and the University of Sydney.

Back to top

Investigators

The Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme brought together internationally renowned researchers listed in the following table.

ResearcherOrganisation*
Dr Miranda Van Hooff
Dr Ellie Lawrence-Wood
Prof Alexander McFarlane
Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, University of Adelaide
Dr Stephanie HodsonVeterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service, Department of Veterans' Affairs
Prof David Forbes
COL Nicole Sadler
Phoenix Australia, Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, University of Melbourne
Ms Helen BenassiMental Health, Rehabilitation and Psychology Branch, Joint Health Command, Department of Defence; PhD candidate, Australian National University

*Current at the time of Programme publications. Some researchers have since changed organisations and some organisations have changed their name or structure.

Back to top

Scientific oversight and communication

An independent Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) made up of members with a specific expertise in Defence and veteran mental health and/or specialising in managing statistical analysis was appointed to oversee this research Programme. 

The Programme communicated its progress, then key findings to ex-service organisations through the Young Veterans — Contemporary Needs Forum.

Back to top

Programme objectives

The following table shows which reports deliver on each Programme objective.

Programme objectivesCorresponding reports and papers
  • Determine the prevalence of mental disorders among ADF members who have transitioned from Regular ADF service between 2010 and 2014
  • Examine self-reported mental health status of Transitioned ADF and the 2015 Regular ADF
Mental Health Prevalence Report
  • Assess pathways to care for Transitioned ADF and the 2015 Regular ADF, including those with a probable 30-day mental disorder
Pathways to Care Report
  • Examine the physical health status of Transitioned ADF and the 2015 Regular ADF
Physical Health Status Report
  • Investigate technology and its utility for health and mental health programmes including implications for future health service delivery
Technology and Wellbeing Report
  • Conduct predictive modelling of the trajectory of mental health symptoms/disorder of Transitioned ADF and the 2015 Regular ADF, removing the need to rely on estimated rates
Mental health Changes Over Time: a Longitudinal Perspective Report
  • Investigate the mental health and wellbeing of currently serving 2015 Ab-initio Reservists
The Health and Wellbeing of ADF Reservists Paper
  • Examine the factors that contribute to the wellbeing of Transitioned ADF and the 2015 Regular ADF
Psychosocial Predictors of Health Paper (PDF 971 KB) (DOCX 280 KB)
  • Follow up on the mental, physical and neurocognitive health and wellbeing of participants who deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations between 2010 and 2012
Impact of Combat Report
  • Investigate the impact of ADF service on the health and wellbeing of the families of Transitioned ADF and the 2015 Regular ADF
Family Wellbeing Study
All objectivesTransition and Wellbeing Research Programme Key Findings Report

In addition, the Programme data has been used for further detailed analysis on topics such as family and domestic violence and homelessness among Australian Veterans.

Back to top

Military and Veteran Research Study Roll

The Military and Veteran Research Study Roll was created for the purpose of recruiting participants for the Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme. The Study Roll is held securely at the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

Back to top

Improving Veteran and Family Support

Since the Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme data was collected in 2015, the Australian Government has made budget improvements in health services and support, employment, and transition services for veterans and families.
This funding has helped the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) reform processes to ensure veterans and families receive the services and support they need during transition. 

Some key transition improvements include:

  • Access to a comprehensive, fully funded, Annual Veteran Health Check with a general practitioner for the first five years following transition.
  • Funding a Psychiatric Assistance Dog Program that matches eligible veterans living with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with an assistance dog to help support clinical recovery.
  • Expansion of Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs networks to improve the coordination and delivery of integrated support to veterans and families through government, business and community.
  • Commencement of the Defence, Veterans’ and Families’ Acute Support Package to provide short-term flexible support to eligible veterans and families, to adjust to new and challenging life circumstances.
  • Ongoing implementation of the Veteran Employment Program (VEP) to deliver initiatives that support Australian organisations to improve employment outcomes for veterans. The VEP promotes the skills veterans bring to the civilian workforce and encourages and supports employers to recruit and retain veterans and build veteran-inclusive work environments.
  • The Veteran Transition Strategy (released August 2023) and Action Plan (released December 2024)  aim to support positive transition outcomes for veterans and families, and deliver tangible benefits for the veteran community, helping them plan, achieve their goals, maintain wellbeing, and feel valued by the nation they served.
  • Development of a joint Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy to enable a coordinated approach between Defence and DVA to ensure the impacts and related life events are managed, both during and after service, with appropriate fit for purpose policies, programs and support, now an into the future.
  • Funding for further research on related issues, including the Programme’s follow-up Elevate Study.

DVA continues to work closely with Government agencies, including Defence, as well as ex-service organisations and research entities to better prepare and support ADF personnel and their families as they transition to civilian life.

Back to top
Was this page useful?

Ask Pat a Question