Research at CDP: Introducing the DREAMSS Study
By Jaime Rodden and Dr. Maegan Willing
The Center for Deployment Psychology Research Team is excited to announce the launch of the DREAMSS study!
About the DREAMSS Study
Determining Risks using Ecological Assessments of Mood, Sleep, & Suicide: An ecological momentary assessment of sleep effects in veterans with suicidal ideation, or DREAMSS, is a new pilot study led by Dr. Maegan Willing from the Center for Deployment Psychology. This study will explore how sleep quality impacts the thoughts and feelings of veterans who struggle with insomnia and suicidal thoughts. Using proven strategies, we will use mobile apps and Fitbits to monitor individuals sleep while collecting real-time data on thoughts and mood to uncover crucial insights for reducing the risk of suicide in veterans.
The Big Picture
Veterans often face unique challenges, including sleep problems and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Sleep disturbances are a significant challenge for many service members and Veterans, with insomnia being one of the top reasons for mental health referrals. Poor sleep quality is strongly linked to a higher risk of suicide, suggesting that we may be able to identify those at risk based on their sleep patterns. We hope this study will deepen our understanding of how sleep quality predicts suicidal ideation in veterans. By studying sleep patterns, we aim to predict changes in suicidal thoughts, helping to identify those at risk and laying the groundwork for future research on this critical issue.
Participant Eligibility and Study Activities
This study is conducted entirely remotely, making it accessible to veterans nationwide. Veterans aged 18-65 who served in the War on Terror (including Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn) and struggle with insomnia and suicidal thoughts are eligible to participate. Prospective participants must also be currently receiving behavioral health care.
After completing a pre-screening survey, individuals will meet with a study team member to determine eligibility. Participation involves 14 days of daily assessments (four times per day), wearing a Fitbit, and completing a pre- and post-survey.
Get Involved
To learn more about the DREAMSS study, reach out to our study team at DREAMSS@usuhs.edu. We’re here to answer any questions and provide additional details. Stay tuned for more updates!
To see if you qualify for the study, take the pre-screener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DREAMSS-prescreen This project was supported by a grant from the American Psychological Foundation.
The opinions in CDP Staff Perspective blogs are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Science or the Department of Defense.
By Jaime Rodden and Dr. Maegan Willing
The Center for Deployment Psychology Research Team is excited to announce the launch of the DREAMSS study!
About the DREAMSS Study
Determining Risks using Ecological Assessments of Mood, Sleep, & Suicide: An ecological momentary assessment of sleep effects in veterans with suicidal ideation, or DREAMSS, is a new pilot study led by Dr. Maegan Willing from the Center for Deployment Psychology. This study will explore how sleep quality impacts the thoughts and feelings of veterans who struggle with insomnia and suicidal thoughts. Using proven strategies, we will use mobile apps and Fitbits to monitor individuals sleep while collecting real-time data on thoughts and mood to uncover crucial insights for reducing the risk of suicide in veterans.
The Big Picture
Veterans often face unique challenges, including sleep problems and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Sleep disturbances are a significant challenge for many service members and Veterans, with insomnia being one of the top reasons for mental health referrals. Poor sleep quality is strongly linked to a higher risk of suicide, suggesting that we may be able to identify those at risk based on their sleep patterns. We hope this study will deepen our understanding of how sleep quality predicts suicidal ideation in veterans. By studying sleep patterns, we aim to predict changes in suicidal thoughts, helping to identify those at risk and laying the groundwork for future research on this critical issue.
Participant Eligibility and Study Activities
This study is conducted entirely remotely, making it accessible to veterans nationwide. Veterans aged 18-65 who served in the War on Terror (including Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn) and struggle with insomnia and suicidal thoughts are eligible to participate. Prospective participants must also be currently receiving behavioral health care.
After completing a pre-screening survey, individuals will meet with a study team member to determine eligibility. Participation involves 14 days of daily assessments (four times per day), wearing a Fitbit, and completing a pre- and post-survey.
Get Involved
To learn more about the DREAMSS study, reach out to our study team at DREAMSS@usuhs.edu. We’re here to answer any questions and provide additional details. Stay tuned for more updates!
To see if you qualify for the study, take the pre-screener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DREAMSS-prescreen This project was supported by a grant from the American Psychological Foundation.
The opinions in CDP Staff Perspective blogs are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Science or the Department of Defense.