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.
Providing Pathways Guidance to Young Veterans for a Successful Transition to Civilian Workforce (2016)
2016Flinders University Study: The report matches DVA administrative data with community data from the Student Outcomes Survey (SOS) and the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, to better understand potential workforce outcomes for DVA clients.
What is the prevalence of risk-taking behaviours in the children of former or current military personnel?
2015This literature review examines the evidence for the prevalence of risk-taking behavior by children of former or current military personnel.
What are effective interventions for veterans who have experienced moral injury?
2015Military personnel are often confronted with situations whereby under extreme conditions, they make decisions, take action or exposed to events that challenge their ethical and moral beliefs.
Monash University Firefighters’ Health Study (2015)
2015The Department of Defence, with the support of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Council, commissioned Monash University to undertake a statistical study into the health of current and former Australian Defence Force firefighters who served from 1980 to 2013.
What are the family protective factors for members transitioning from Defence service?
2015There is a growing body of research evidence suggesting that veterans can be challenged by their reintegration into civilian life, and that this in turn can affect veterans' families. This literature review examined the evidence for family behaviours, attributes, circumstances or characteristics that act as protective or risk factors for transitioned or transitioning Defence members' wellbeing.
Australian Gulf War Veterans' Follow Up Health Study
2015The Australian Gulf War Veterans’ Follow Up Health Study 2015 (Follow Up Study) is a follow up to the original Australian Gulf War Veterans’ Health Study 2003 (the 2003 study), also commissioned by DVA, to assess Gulf War veterans’ health and wellbeing 20 years after deployment.
Mothers in the Middle East Area of Operations Study
2014The Mothers in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Study identifies health outcomes and psychosocial factors that impact on Australian servicewomen with dependent children who deploy and ways in which mothers could be better supported during and following deployment.
What are effective psychological or multi-modal interventions for adults experiencing chronic pain?
2014In the past decade there has been growing recognition of the psychosocial factors that increase vulnerability to chronic pain, and a shift towards focusing on psychological interventions that may address some of these vulnerabilities. The aim of the current review was to examine the efficacy of psychological interventions and multi-modal interventions that include a psychological component, for the treatment of chronic pain.
What are the effective interventions for veterans with problematic anger and aggression?
2014The aim of this Rapid Evidence Assessment was to examine the scientific literature for evidence of effective interventions veterans with problematic anger and aggression.
What are effective interventions for veterans with sleep disturbances?
2014The aim of the current review was to examine the scientific literature for evidence of effective interventions for veterans with sleep disturbances.