Research and Studies
Health research and social research publications
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs carries out a wide range of research to support the health and wellbeing needs of veterans and families of veterans. This page brings together a range of DVA commissioned research, evaluations and literature reviews.
Readers should note that some older publications may reflect the evidence base and policy context at the time they were produced and may not fully align with current research, practice, or priorities.
A list of current projects can be seen at Current Research Projects.
Firefighter Chemical Review Report
2018Report from the independent ADF Firefighter Chemical Review (April 2018) to develop toxicological profiles for 132 chemicals listed as contaminants within the RAAF Base, Point Cook former fire training area.
Transition And Wellbeing Research Programme: Mental Health Prevalence and Pathways to Care Summary Report (2018)
2018This report overviews and contextualises the Mental Health and Wellbeing Transition Study methodology, describes the study populations and presents the key findings from the first two technical reports of the Study, Mental Health Prevalence and Pathways to Care.
Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme - Physical Health Status Report (2018)
2018The Physical Health Status Report provides a comprehensive, high-level overview of the physical health and wellbeing of ADF personnel who transitioned between January 2010 and December 2014. and members of the 2015 Regular ADF.
Hallucinogens as treatment for PTSD, anxiety and depression
2017The aim of this rapid evidence assessment (REA) was to assess the evidence related to hallucinogenic drug interventions for PTSD, anxiety, and depression in adults.
Psychological and vocational outcomes of delivering support services to the families of veterans at times of high family stress
2017This report was funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to assess available literature on the psychological and vocational outcomes of delivering support services to the families of veterans at times of high family stress. The review considered interventions being provided to veterans in Australia, and other English speaking countries who may have similar veteran experiences.
Epidemiological cut-off feasibility study - June 2017
2017This project was commissioned to add to the field of research arising from the Mental Health in the Australian Defence Force: 2010 Australian Defence Force Mental Health Prevalence and Wellbeing Study (MHPWS).
Incidence of suicide in serving and ex-serving ADF personnel
2017Produced by the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (AIHW), this report quantifies the level of suicide among serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and identifies factors that may be associated with suicide risk. Analysis in the summary report examined each service-related characteristic associated with risk of suicide individually.
Fourth study of mortality and cancer incidence in aircraft maintenance personnel
2016The report of the Fourth study of mortality and cancer incidence in aircraft maintenance personnel: A continuing study of F-111 Deseal/Reseal personnel, was released on 17 October 2016 by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
What are effective interventions for adjustment disorder?
2016The aim of this Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) was to examine the evidence for the efficacy of psychological or pharmacological interventions targeting adjustment disorder in adults. Adjustment disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis that occurs in response to a stressful or traumatic event. It is diagnosed when an individual responds to a stressful/traumatic event with clinical distress or impairment, and anxiety/depression-like symptoms, but does not meet criteria for any other psychiatric disorder.
Firefighter Literature Review Report
2016The two most recent Australian Defence Force Firefighter occupational health research studies are now available.