MISSION AND CORE VALUES
At the VETERAN Lab, our commitment is to empower and enhance the lives of our nation’s veterans. With a sense of duty and gratitude, our lab’s mission includes research, implementation of evidence-based programs, and advocacy for policies that address critical aspects of military-to-civilian transition, education, social determinants of health, and health behaviors.
The following are issues that we care deeply about.
Military-to-Civilian Transition Empowerment: We seek to understand, navigate, and improve the journey from military service to civilian life. We develop and implement evidence-based programs and support systems that empower veterans to seamlessly integrate into civilian society.
Education and Support: Acknowledging the transformative power of education, we research and advocate for solutions to the unique educational challenges faced by veterans. Our goal is to champion initiatives that facilitate access to quality education, promote academic success, and equip veterans with the skills and knowledge essential for thriving in diverse post-military careers.
Social Determinants of Health: We also investigate and address the social determinants that impact veterans’ health outcomes. By understanding and mitigating the challenges related to education, housing, employment, and community support, we are attempting to create an community that is conducive to optimal physical, mental, and social health for our local veterans.
Health Behavior Research: We explore health behaviors common to veterans. Using epidemiological research methods, we identify patterns, challenges, and opportunities for positive behavior change. Our research informs targeted interventions and initiatives that empower veterans to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles, leading to improved overall well-being.
Policy Advocacy and Reform: We engage with policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders at local, regional, and national levels in order to advocate for issues that matter to veterans. Our research informs evidence-based policy recommendations that recognize and address the unique challenges faced by veterans during their transition and beyond. A critical policy advocacy initiative in which the VETERAN Lab is currently engaged concerns the recognition in health care settings of an emerging concept known as “moral injury.”
STAFF
Justin T. McDaniel, PhD, is the Principal Investigator for the VETERAN Lab. He is an Associate Professor of Public Health in the School of Human Sciences at Southern Illinois University. He also has a joint appointments in the Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and trEatment (CARE) and the Department of Population Science and Policy in the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. His scholarly interests center on social determinants of health among military veterans. He has published over 130 peer-reviewed journal articles, one book, and obtained over $500,000 in external research funding as lead PI from agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Ashley Robinson, M.S., is an Instructor of Allied Health, Kinesiology, and Sport Sciences at Southeast Missouri State University, as well as a PhD student in the Population Health program in the School of Human Sciences at Southern Illinois University. She is interested in health behaviors among military veterans, and helps Dr. McDaniel as a lab assistant.
Dawn Roberts, M.S.W., is a lab assistant and doctoral student in the Population Health PhD program at Southern Illinois University. Her scholarly interests focus on the intersection of artificial intelligence, behavioral health, and military service members.
Lennoris Hughes, M.S.W., L.S.W., is a military veteran and a lab assistant, as well as a doctoral student in the Population Health PhD program at Southern Illinois University. His research interests include epigenetics and generational trauma.
CURRENT FUNDING AND PROJECTS
Rural Veteran Personality, Delay Discounting, and the Interference Preservation Hypothesis; Source: National Science Foundation (NSF); #2321159; Period: 9/1/23 – 8/31/26; Amount: $341,617
Characterizing the VA’s Traumatic Brain Injury and Caregiving Initiatives for Veterans; Source (IPA): U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (US DVA); Period: 10/1/23 – 9/30/24; Amount: $81,109
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Supplement to NSF #2321159; National Science Foundation (NSF); Period 5/1/24 – 4/30/25; Amount: $32,654
RECENT ARTICLES
1. Haun, J. N., Melillo, C., Schneider, T., McDaniel, J. T., McMahon-Grenz, J., Benzinger, R., Nakase-Richardson, R., Pugh, M. J. V., Skop, K. M., Friedman, Y., Sandoval, R., Sabangan, J., Samson, K., & Kean, J. (2024). A partner-engaged approach to developing an implementation research logic model for a traumatic brain injury intensive evaluation and treatment program. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000988
2. McDaniel, J.T., McDaniel, M.R., Redner, R., Jacobs, E.A., & Crunk, I. (2023). Using behavioral economics to predict sensitivity to moral injury in military recruits: Validation of the Moral Injury Purchase Task. Health Behavior and Policy Review, 10(4), 1358-1367. https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.10.4.4
3. McDaniel, J.T., Redner, R., Jayawardene, W., Haun, J., Clapp, J., Che, D., Renzaglia, K., & Abou-Jabal, D. (2023). Moral injury is a risk factor for substance use and suicidality among military veterans with traumatic brain injury. Journal of Religion and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01905-5
4. McDaniel, J.T. (2023). Moral injury and quality of life among military veterans. BMJ Military Health. doi: 10.1136/military-2023-002457
5. McDaniel, J.T., Rosen, G., Albright, D.L., York, M., Miller, K., & Pekios, H. (2023). Validity and reliability of the Empowered Veteran Index among military veterans. Journal of Prevention and Health Promotion, 4(2), 167-199. https://doi.org/10.1177/26320770231167355
6. McDaniel, J.T., Hascup, K.N., Hascup, E.R., *Ezigbo, U.G., Weidhuner, A.M., Henson, H., & Albright, D.L. (2023). Cognitive function among military veterans with STEM occupations. Military Medical Research, 10, 55. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40779-023-00491-7
RECENT BOOKS
McDaniel, J.T., Xenakis, S. N., & Seamone, E. R. (Eds.). (2023). Preventing and treating the invisible wounds of war: Combat trauma, moral injury, and psychological health. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
This volume provides several perspectives that help practitioners, advocates, and policymakers understand the impact of historical and recent wars on U.S. Military veterans. The chapters address newly recognized conditions, such as moral injury, military sexual trauma, and remote combat trauma as precursors to more serious diagnosable mental health disorders with the goal of addressing how these conditions can be identified and mitigated in future combat operations. The chapters also provide new insights on calculating the costs of wars in terms of dollars spent on treating mental health conditions, the intergenerational impact of combat trauma on families and future generations, and involvement in the criminal justice system of those who do not receive treatment due to discharge characterizations from military misconduct.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Location:
Pulliam Hall 307i
Southern Illinois University
475 Clocktower Drive
Mail Code 4632
Carbondale, IL 62901