Robert H. Pietrzak, PhD, MPH
US Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
Brief Report
A Growing Epidemic of Loneliness among US Military Veterans
August 3, 2026
The prevalence of frequent loneliness increased significantly compared with 2019–2020 estimates. Frequently lonely veterans had significantly greater odds of 6 of 8 psychiatric disorders, such as depression and PTSD.
Original Research
Geographic Differences in Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorder in the US Veteran Population
January 19, 2026
Significant regional differences were observed in cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD). Veterans in the Pacific region had the highest rates of cannabis use and CUD.
Brief Report
Psychosocial Correlates of Optimism among US Military Veterans
April 21, 2025
Positive psychosocial characteristics (PPCs) such as curiosity, perceived resilience, and purpose in life were strongly linked to optimism scores, suggesting a role for interventions that target other PPCs in...