Rajeev Ramchand

Senior Behavioral Scientist

Washington Office

Education

Ph.D. in psychiatric epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; B.A. in economics, University of Chicago

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

More Experts

Overview

Rajeev Ramchand is a senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation and a nationally recognized expert on the prevalence, prevention, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders in adolescents, service members and veterans, and minority populations, He was lead author of The War Within: Preventing Suicide in the U.S. Military (2011: RAND) and co-led RAND's 2014 study on military caregivers, Hidden Heroes. He formerly served as associate director of the RAND Center for Military Health Policy Research. He is currently working on studies examining the evidence supporting peer-involved interventions, disparities in mental health conditions among minority subgroups in the U.S. military, and on RAND's Gun Policy in America initiative, focusing primarily on the role of firearm availability, storage, and policies on suicide. He is also currently adapting the research techniques he used to study suicide to conduct research on community resilience. He received his B.A. in economics from the University of Chicago and his Ph.D. in psychiatric epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

Evaluation of current efforts to prevent suicide among U.S. servicemembers and veterans
Case-mix adjustment for evaluating substance abuse treatment programs
Behavioral health outcomes among military and civilian personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan
Fostering community resilience in U.S. Gulf States communities
Systematic reviews of literature on gun policy in the U.S.

Selected Publications

Ramchand R, Franklin E, Thornton E, Deland S, Rouse JC, "Opportunities to Intervene? "Warning Signs" for Suicide in the Days before Dying," Death Studies, 2017

Ramchand R, Jaycox LH, Ebener PA, Suicide Prevention Hotlines in California: Diversity in Services, Structure, and Organization and the Potential Challenges Ahead, RAND Corporation (RR-1497-CMHSA), 2016

Ramchand R, Ayer L, Kotzias V, Engel C, Predmore Z, Ebener P, Kemp J, Karras E, Haas G, "Suicide Risk among Female Veterans in Distress: Perspectives of Responders on the Veterans Crisis Line," Women's Health Inssues, 26:667-673, 2016

Schwartz HL, Ramchand R, Barnes-Proby D, Grant S, Jackson BA, Leuschner KJ, Matsuda M, Saunders J., The Role of Technology in Improving K-12 School Safety, RAND Corporation (RR-1488), 2016

Ramchand R, Tanielian T, Fisher MP, Vaughan, CA, Trail TE, Epley C, Voorhies P, Robbins M, Robinson E, Ghosh-Dastidar B, Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers, RAND Corporation (RR-499-TEDF), 2014

Ramchand R, Acosta J, Burns R, Jaycox L, Pernin C., The War Within: Preventing Suicide in the US Military (MG-953-OSD)., RAND Corporation (MG-953), 2011

Ramchand R, Jaycox LH, Ebener P, Barnes-Proby D, Gilbert ML, Goutam P, "Characteristics and Proximal Outcomes of Calls Made to Suicide Crisis Hotlines in California: Variability across Centers," Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention

Honors & Awards

Presidential Merit Award, RAND Corporation
Gold Merit Award, RAND Corporation
The Harold and Sylvia Halpert Endowment Fund, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Commentary

Is America's Crisis 'System' in Crisis?
The United States has made life-saving progress on crisis support for veterans. Now other suicide prevention services need help. Progress made by the VA could provide a blueprint for improving suicide prevention services for all Americans.
Jul 17, 2016 U.S. News & World Report
Veterans Day 2015: Three Priorities for Preventing Veteran Suicide (And It's Not All on the VA!)
The suicide rate among veterans is three times that of nonveterans. Additional research and policy intervention in three important areas could help ensure that fewer veterans die at their own hands.
Nov 11, 2015 The RAND Blog
Helping the Most Vulnerable: Q&A with Rajeev Ramchand
Rajeev Ramchand discusses drug abuse, suicide, and how research can make a difference for society's most vulnerable.
Oct 26, 2015
Veterans Battle Mental Health Issues After Iraq and Afghanistan
Researchers have made great progress capturing the consequences of coping with injuries sustained in the theater of war, but the emerging picture is shadowed in grays. A series of recent findings presents a bleak portrait of the cost of modern war to service members, their families, and their health care providers.
Jun 4, 2015 U.S. News & World Report
Four Ways to Help Military Caregivers
As momentum continues to build, stakeholders across the board should keep in mind four broad recommendations for how to help military caregivers.
Apr 15, 2014 The RAND Blog
A World Without America's Military Caregivers
A world without military caregivers would be a harsher one for all, particularly for those who have served. Military caregivers' sacrifices improve the lives of wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans, more of whom would suffer without them.
Mar 31, 2014 The RAND Blog
Spotlight on America's Hidden Heroes: Military Caregivers
Despite military caregivers' vital contributions, little is known about their numbers, the burden of caregiving that they shoulder, or the resources that exist to support them. To shed light on these "hidden heroes,” a RAND team conducted the largest, most comprehensive study to date of military caregivers.
Mar 24, 2014
They Also Serve: Understanding the Needs of Military Caregivers
Military families play a critical role in supporting U.S. servicemembers during deployment and afterwards. Equally vital but often less visible is the role played by those who care for the servicemembers who return with disabling injuries or illnesses and require long-term support beyond what the formal health care system provides.
Nov 18, 2013 The RAND Blog
Research Is a Fundamental Component of Suicide Prevention
While our research has taught us many things about suicide prevention we think additional research is critically needed in two areas, writes Rajeev Ramchand. The first is gun control. The second area is the quality of behavioral health care available to those who need it.
May 24, 2013 The RAND Blog
A National Strategy for Supporting Military Caregivers
The act of caring for a veteran takes a physical, mental, and economic toll on caregivers and their families. Giving caregivers the skills and resources they need to cope and thrive should be as much a priority as giving veterans medical care.
Mar 7, 2013 The RAND Blog
Teen Employment May Not Always Be a Boon for At-Risk Youth
For all teens, and especially those who have already experienced problems related to alcohol and drug use, it is essential to monitor the quality of work experiences and keep in mind that some work environments might increase risk for substance use.
Dec 18, 2012
Supporting Families Affected by Military Suicide Should Be a Priority for All
While many of these families fight for honor and respect from the DoD or support from the VA, the comfort that they need will not be provided by either institution, nor should it be. Rather, it is up to us—as their neighbors, coworkers, teachers, and students—to shower these families with the love and support they need and deserve, writes Rajeev Ramchand.
Nov 29, 2012 The RAND Blog
Parents: That Summer Job Could Be Teaching Your Youngster to Smoke
Workplaces across the world that rely on a teenage workforce, like supermarkets and fast food restaurants, need to do a better job protecting young people from starting to smoke, writes Rajeev Ramchand.
Aug 30, 2012 The RAND Blog
Preventing Military Suicides Is a Nationwide Effort
The military is experiencing a higher number of suicides than it has ever experienced at this time before. RAND research has a number of recommendations to prevent suicide among military personnel based.
Jun 14, 2012 The RAND Blog
In Memoriam
Not only would the delivery of quality behavioral care prevent suicides, but it would also aid in the recovery of the nearly 20 percent of service members with post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, writes Rajeev Ramchand.
May 29, 2011 Newsday

Publications

Journal Article
Journal Article
A Systematic Review of Peer-Supported Interventions for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
A systematic review that categorized and assessed the effects of peer interventions - by peer role, intervention type, and outcomes - suggests ways to involve peers that have improved health and wellness.
Aug 3, 2017
Research Brief
Improving Support for America's Hidden Heroes: A Military Caregiver Research Blueprint
In this brief, RAND researchers document the construction and elements of a research blueprint to inform future efforts to improve support for military and veteran caregivers.
Jun 14, 2017
Report
Improving Support for America's Hidden Heroes: A Research Blueprint
In this report, RAND researchers document the construction and elements of a research blueprint to inform future efforts to improve support for military and veteran caregivers.
Jun 14, 2017
Journal Article
Journal Article
Expanding Suicide Crisis Services to Text and Chat: Responders' Perspectives of the Differences Between Communication Modalities
Internet chat and text messaging offer anonymity and increased access to suicide hotline callers, but they are not yet a replacement for telephone crisis support services.
Jun 6, 2017
Journal Article
Mental Health Service Utilization Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning or Queer College Students
College students are at high risk for mental health problems, yet many do not receive treatment even when services are available. Treatment needs may be even higher among sexual minority students, but little is known about how these students differ from heterosexual peers in terms of mental health needs and service utilization.
Jun 2, 2017
Tool
Database of Literature on Oil Spills and Public Health
Overview that describes the literature search CRCG undertook and the database developed with a goal of assessing the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the health, social, and economic wellbeing of Gulf Coast communities.
May 8, 2017
Testimony
Preventing Veteran Suicide: The Critical Role of Community-Based Prevention
Testimony presented before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies on April 27, 2017.
Apr 27, 2017
Journal Article
Journal Article
Best Practices for Suicide Prevention Messaging and Evaluating California's "Know the Signs" Media Campaign
California's "Know the Signs" media campaign for suicide prevention is consistent with what is known about best practices, though evidence in this field is still nascent.
Apr 7, 2017
Journal Article
Journal Article
Detecting Changes in Newspaper Reporting of Suicide After a Statewide Social Marketing Campaign
In conclusion and similar to many past evaluations, we find no evidence that the KTS campaign was effective in changing the way in which suicides are reported on in California had any effect.
Apr 4, 2017
Journal Article
Opportunities to Intervene: "Warning Signs" for Suicide in the Days Before Dying
Understanding whether and to what extent loved ones noticed warning signs in the days before a suicide could help strengthen suicide prevention strategies.
Mar 14, 2017
Report
Development and Pilot Test of the RAND Program Evaluation Toolkit for Countering Violent Extremism
The RAND Program Evaluation Toolkit for Countering Violent Extremism helps programs assess their activities and identify needed improvements. This report is a companion to the toolkit and provides background on its development and testing.
Mar 13, 2017
Tool
Tool
RAND Program Evaluation Toolkit for Countering Violent Extremism
The RAND Program Evaluation Toolkit for Countering Violent Extremism uses checklists, worksheets, and templates to help programs assess whether their activities have met their goals and identify needed improvements.
Mar 13, 2017
Tool
Tool
RAND's Fidelity Monitoring Protocol for Suicide Prevention Workshops in California
RAND developed a fidelity monitoring protocol composed of adherence and competence measures based on the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) for the California Mental Health Services Authority.
Mar 7, 2017
Journal Article
Suicide Risk Among Women Veterans in Distress: Perspectives of Responders on the Veterans Crisis Line
Actions to help women veterans, and possibly curtail suicide among them, could include addressing military sexual trauma, adding questions about deliberate self-harm to suicide risk assessments, and reducing access to lethal suicide means.
Sep 19, 2016
Research Brief
Can Technology Make Schools Safer?
Key technology needs to improve safety in U.S. schools include two-way communication between teachers and emergency responders and "all-in-one" applications to integrate school safety policies, procedures, training, and alerts for staff and parents.
Aug 22, 2016
Journal Article
Journal Article
Characteristics and Proximal Outcomes of Calls Made to Suicide Crisis Hotlines in California: Variability Across Centers
Because individuals calling a suicide crisis hotline generally cannot choose the center or responder who will take their call, it is critical to promote quality across all call centers and minimize variability in operating procedures.
Jul 14, 2016
Report
Suicide Prevention Hotlines in California: Diversity in Services, Structure, and Organization and the Potential Challenges Ahead
This report evaluates landscape in which suicide prevention hotlines operate, focusing on California but with nationwide implications, and provides recommendations to ensure that callers at risk of suicide seek and receive the help they need.
Jul 12, 2016
Research Brief
How Military Families Respond Before, During and After Deployment: Findings from the RAND Deployment Life Study
This overview of the findings from the RAND Deployment Life Study describes the effects of deployment on marital relationships, family environment, psychological and behavioral health, child well-being, and military integration.
Apr 15, 2016
Report
The Role of Technology in Improving K–12 School Safety
The report categorizes school safety technologies, summarizes research on school violence, presents six case studies of innovative technologies, and summarizes experts' views of technologies and safety problems and their rankings of technology needs.
Apr 14, 2016
Report
The Deployment Life Study: Longitudinal Analysis of Military Families Across the Deployment Cycle
In 2009, RAND launched the Deployment Life Study to study military family readiness. This report presents analyses on marital relationships, family environment, psychological and behavioral health, child well-being, and military integration.
Apr 7, 2016
Report
Report
Can Access to Data Prevent Army Suicides? Identifying Optimal Response Strategies for Army Leaders
The U.S. Army is developing a system to inform leaders of individual- and unit-level suicide risk factors and to support prevention and intervention activities. RAND convened an expert panel to identify necessary data and recommend leader actions.
Mar 22, 2016
Journal Article
Factors That Influence Chaplains' Suicide Intervention Behavior in the Army
Army chaplains are more likely to refer soldiers at risk of suicide to behavioral health care, but the causes of their reluctance to refer need further investigation.
Mar 14, 2016
Journal Article
The Influence of Training, Reluctance, Efficacy, and Stigma on Suicide Intervention Behavior Among NCOs in the Army and Marine Corps
We used structural equation modeling on survey responses from 1184 Army soldiers and 796 marines to estimate the relationships between training, intervention efficacy, reluctance, and mental health stigma on NCO intervention behaviors.
Mar 2, 2016
Journal Article
Journal Article
Implementing Evidence-Based Suicide Prevention Training in Communities: Implications for Quality Improvement
Suicide prevention trainings are implemented to equip the public's ability to intervene with those who are at-risk, but their implementation is not often monitored for quality.
Nov 30, 2015
Research Brief
California's Statewide Mental Health Prevention and Early Intervention Initiatives Show Promising Early Results, But Sustained Investment Is Needed
Summarizes findings from an evaluation of a set of California initiatives to help reduce mental health stigma and discrimination, prevent suicide, and improve student mental health.
Sep 16, 2015
Tool
RAND's Silent Monitoring Protocol for Assessing Suicide Crisis Line Call Content and Quality
Report describes the methods for developing and testing a silent monitoring protocol for California suicide crisis call centers to evaluate call content and quality, document staff strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas for further training.
Sep 10, 2015
Journal Article
Journal Article
Noncommissioned Officers' Perspectives on Identifying, Caring For, and Referring Soldiers and Marines at Risk of Suicide
Noncommissioned officers (NCOs) in the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps were surveyed to identify their ability and willingness to identify, intervene on behalf of, and refer fellow soldiers and marines at risk of suicide.
Jul 17, 2015
Report
Adults Newly Exposed to "Know the Signs" Campaign Report Greater Gains in Confidence to Intervene with Those Who Might Be at Risk for Suicide Than Those Unexposed to the Campaign
Presents results of a one-year follow-up to a survey on Know the Signs, a California mass media suicide prevention campaign, and examines the effect of campaign exposure on respondents' confidence to intervene with someone at risk for suicide.
May 18, 2015
Report
Analysis of the Benefits and Costs of CalMHSA's Investment in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Estimates the possible reductions in suicide attempts resulting from investment in ASIST and estimates the financial return to Californians from reduced medical costs associated with suicide attempts and increased earnings from each life saved.
May 18, 2015
Research Brief
Research Brief
Should California Continue to Invest in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)? ASIST Could Save Lives and Wages and Reduce Medical Costs
Estimates the possible reductions in suicide attempts and deaths resulting from investment in ASIST and the financial return to Californians from reduced medical costs and increased earnings that would result from averted suicide attempts and deaths.
May 18, 2015
Journal Article
Prevalence Of, Risk Factors For, and Consequences of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Other Mental Health Problems in Military Populations Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan
Factors such as deployment conditions and social support during and after deployments could help identify, prevent, or mitigate the risk of PTSD among military populations in future conflicts.
Apr 28, 2015
Report
Suicide Postvention in the Department of Defense: Evidence, Policies and Procedures, and Perspectives of Loss Survivors
The scientific evidence on suicide postvention, guidance for other organizations, and the perspectives of military suicide loss survivors provide potential insights for U.S. Department of Defense policies and programs to respond to suicides.
Apr 9, 2015
Report
Report
Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention: A Theoretical Model and Review of the Empirical Literature
In the context of rising rates of suicide among U.S. military personnel, this report reviews the literature on gatekeeper models of suicide prevention to better understand what is known about the effectiveness of gatekeepers and gatekeeper training.
Mar 10, 2015
Report
Evaluation of California's Statewide Mental Health Prevention and Early Intervention Programs: Summary of Key Year 2 Findings
This report summarizes key findings from the second year of an evaluation of the California Mental Health Services Authority's statewide prevention and early intervention programs.
Feb 3, 2015
Journal Article
Journal Article
Provision of Mental Health Services as a Quality Indicator for Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
The study tested whether adolescents receiving substance abuse treatment at facilities offering full or partial mental health services have better 12-month substance use and mental health outcomes than youths at facilities with no mental health services.
2015
Report
"Know the Signs" Suicide Prevention Media Campaign Is Aligned with Best Practices and Highly Regarded by Experts
Reports the findings of an evaluation by a panel of experts on the extent to which a suicide prevention media campaign in California is aligned with best practices in the field.
Dec 10, 2014
Testimony
Hidden Heroes: Caregivers to America's Ill, Injured, and Wounded Service Members and Veterans
Testimony presented before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Health on December 3, 2014.
Dec 3, 2014
Report
Developing a Research Strategy for Suicide Prevention in the Department of Defense: Status of Current Research, Prioritizing Areas of Need, and Recommendations for Moving Forward
To support U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) efforts to create a strategic plan for suicide prevention research, a RAND study examined the current research, DoD's strategic needs, and ways to narrow the research-practice gap in disseminating findings.
Sep 22, 2014
Journal Article
Journal Article
The Effects of Purchasing Alcohol and Marijuana Among Adolescents At-Risk for Future Substance Use
Among high-risk youth, those who may be at increased risk for adverse alcohol and other drug (AOD) use outcomes may benefit from targeted prevention efforts; how youth acquire AOD may provide an objective means of identifying youth at elevated risk.
Sep 1, 2014
Report
Language Differences in California Adults' Exposure to Suicide Prevention Messaging, Confidence in One's Ability to Intervene with Someone at Risk, and Resource Preferences
Assesses the results of a statewide survey to determine language differences among California adults' exposure to suicide prevention messaging, confidence to intervene with someone at risk of suicide, and resource preferences.
Aug 12, 2014
Report
A Case Study Evaluating the Fidelity of Suicide Prevention Workshops in California
Reports on an evaluation of California suicide intervention training workshops to provide evidence that training is delivered with fidelity and adherence to the workshop's design, as well as with high quality.
Aug 12, 2014
Report
Recommendations for Sustaining California's Statewide Mental Health Prevention and Early Intervention Programs
Provides preliminary advice about which of the California Mental Health Services Authority's Prevention and Early Intervention activities seem most valuable to sustain or, in some cases, enhance.
Aug 5, 2014
Research Brief
Suicide Rates in California: Trends and Implications for Prevention and Early Intervention Programs
This fact sheet summarizes the first-year evaluation of California's Suicide Prevention Initiative.
Jul 14, 2014
Report
Adults Exposed to "Know the Signs" Are More Confident Intervening with Those At Risk for Suicide
Report evaluates the effects of a California mass media program that aims to prepare more Californians to prevent suicide by encouraging them to know the warning signs, offer support to persons at risk, and reach out to local resources.
May 27, 2014
Report
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Exposure to Suicide Prevention Messaging, Confidence in One's Ability to Intervene with Someone at Risk, and Resource Preferences
Report assesses differences in racial and ethnic groups' exposure to suicide prevention messaging, preferences for suicide crisis services, and confidence in their ability to intervene with persons at risk of suicide.
May 27, 2014
Report
Where Would California Adults Prefer to Get Help If They Were Feeling Suicidal?
Report assesses the types of resources, ranging from face-to-face interactions with mental health professionals to texting a crisis line, that adults in California prefer to utilize for suicidal thoughts or feelings.
May 27, 2014
Infographic
Infographic
Smoke Alarm: Clocking in Could Prove Hazardous to a Teen's Health
A teen who starts working for pay while still in school may be more than 8 times as likely to report tobacco use than peers who don't start working while in school.
May 20, 2014
Report
Key Facts and Statistics from the RAND Military Caregivers Study
This presentation slide deck offers key facts and statistics from the RAND Military Caregivers Study.
Apr 16, 2014
Periodical
RAND Review: Vol. 38, No. 1, Spring 2014
Feature stories discuss the implications of climate change for the Colorado River Basin and the Sierra Nevada, the burdens borne by military caregivers, the drawbacks of joint aircraft programs, and growing inequalities across the European Union.
Apr 1, 2014
Report
Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers — Executive Summary
This summary distills a longer report, Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers. It describes the magnitude of military caregiving in the United States, identifies gaps in support services, and offers recommendations.
Mar 31, 2014
Report
Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers
This report summarizes a study designed to describe the magnitude of military caregiving in the United States today, as well as to identify gaps in the array of programs, policies, and initiatives designed to support military caregivers.
Mar 31, 2014
Research Brief
Military Caregivers: Who are They? And Who Is Supporting Them?
Presents an overview of findings and recommendations from RAND's sweeping study of military caregivers and their support environment.
Mar 31, 2014
Research Brief
Military Caregivers in the Workplace
Presents findings from RAND's sweeping study of military caregivers on the effect of military caregiving on employment and the workplace.
Mar 31, 2014
Research Brief
Supporting Military Caregivers: The Role of Health Providers
Examines how health care providers can best support military caregivers based on RAND's sweeping study of this population and their support environment.
Mar 31, 2014
Research Brief
Supporting Military Caregivers: Options for Congress
Presents options Congress might take to support military caregivers based on RAND's sweeping study of this population and their support environment.
Mar 31, 2014
Research Brief
Support Resources for Military Caregivers
Provides an overview of support resources for military caregivers based on RAND's sweeping study of this population and their support environment.
Mar 31, 2014
Research Brief
What Has the Suicide Prevention Initiative Done So Far? Year 1 Findings
This fact sheet summarizes the first-year evaluation of California's Suicide Prevention Initiative.
Mar 5, 2014
Journal Article
Journal Article
Effectiveness of Treatment for Adolescent Substance Use: Is Biological Drug Testing Sufficient?
The purpose of this study was to compare the relative effectiveness of three treatment modalities for adolescent substance use: biological drug screening (BDS), Motivational Enhancement Therapy-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MET/CBT5), and BDS combined with MET/CBT5, relative to no treatment.
Mar 1, 2014
Journal Article
Journal Article
Estimating the Causal Effects of Cumulative Treatment Episodes for Adolescents Using Marginal Structural Models and Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting
Substance use treatment is rarely a one-time event for individuals with substance use disorders. Sustained reductions in substance use and its related symptoms may result from multiple treatment episodes.
Mar 1, 2014
Report
Evaluating the California Mental Health Services Authority's Suicide Prevention Initiative: Year 1 Findings
Summarizes first-year findings of an ongoing evaluation of a California program aimed at developing statewide capacities and implementing interventions to prevent suicide.
Feb 11, 2014
Report
Development and Pilot Test of the RAND Suicide Prevention Program Evaluation Toolkit
The RAND Suicide Prevention Program Evaluation Toolkit draws from the scientific literature to guide evaluations of suicide prevention programs. This report is a companion to the toolkit and provides background on its development and testing.
Feb 7, 2014
Tool
RAND Suicide Prevention Program Evaluation Toolkit
The RAND Suicide Prevention Program Evaluation Toolkit translates scientific research on suicide prevention to help program staff assess whether their programs produce beneficial effects and identify needed improvements.
Feb 7, 2014
Journal Article
Assessing the Generalizability of the CSAT-sponsored GAIN Dataset: Are the CSAT Sites Representative of Adolescent Treatment Programs in the U.S.?
CSAT-funded programs had higher rates of comprehensive mental health assessments, discharge planning, HIV, STD and TB testing, and HIV/AIDS education and support.
2014
Journal Article
Journal Article
A Psychometric Assessment of the GAIN Individual Severity Scale (GAIN-GISS) and Short Screeners (GAIN-SS) Among Adolescents in Outpatient Treatment Programs
The authors' investigation used intake data from 6,909 adolescents presenting to outpatient substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States.
2014
Testimony
Suicide Prevention in California: Strategies from Science
Testimony presented before the California State Senate Select Committee on Mental Health on September 24, 2013.
Oct 30, 2013
Report
Military Caregivers: Cornerstones of Support for Our Nation's Wounded, Ill, and Injured Veterans
RAND and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation lay the groundwork to inform policy and program development relative to the needs of military caregivers that often differ from the needs of the general caregiving population.
Mar 7, 2013
Journal Article
Journal Article
The Effects of Employment Among Adolescents At-Risk for Future Substance Use
This paper explores the association between work intensity, alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) use, and related risk factors and consequences among an at-risk youth sample that has received a first-time AOD offense.
Jan 9, 2013
Journal Article
Journal Article
A Tutorial on Propensity Score Estimation for Multiple Treatments Using Generalized Boosted Models
The use of propensity scores to control for pretreatment imbalances on observed variables in non-randomized or observational studies examining the causal effects of treatments or interventions has become widespread over the past decade.
2013
Journal Article
Journal Article
Drug Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men at Weekend Dance Parties: The Role of Intentions and Perceptions of Peers' Behaviors
Substance use is high among gay and bisexual men attending weekend dance events, yet little research has investigated motivations for drug use and contextual factors influencing use in these settings.
2013
Journal Article
Journal Article
Risk Behaviors Among HIV-positive Gay and Bisexual Men at Party-Oriented Vacations
HIV-positive men who have sex with men attending party-oriented vacation events engaged in higher rates of illegal drug use and sexual risk than HIV-negative men.
2013
Report
Interventions to Prevent Suicide: A Literature Review to Guide Evaluation of California's Mental Health Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative
Prevention and early intervention initiatives aim to reduce the incidence of suicide and other mental health problems, and the authors evaluate these initiatives by reviewing suicide prevention (SP) literature to learn about SP program effectiveness and methodologies.
Dec 27, 2012
Journal Article
Journal Article
Workplace Strategies Are Needed to Protect Youth Across the Globe from Starting to Smoke
There is a strong association between adolescents' beginning to work and their beginning to smoke. Thus the workplace may be an appropriate venue for antismoking interventions targeting youth.
Sep 1, 2012
Periodical
Periodical
RAND Review: Vol. 36, No. 1, Spring 2012
Stories cover Iran's nuclear threat, social security in Mexico, programs for veterans, crime costs, U.S. efforts in Afghanistan, the health insurance mandate, legal defense, marijuana legalization, global education, and Louisiana's coastal planning.
May 11, 2012
Journal Article
Journal Article
Assessing the Sensitivity of Treatment Effect Estimates to Differential Follow-Up Rates: Implications for Translational Research
The authors developed a new tool for assessing the sensitivity of findings on treatment effectiveness to differential follow-up rates in the two treatment conditions being compared.
2012
Journal Article
Journal Article
Examining Moderated Effects of Additional Adolescent Substance Use Treatment: Structural Nested Mean Model Estimation Using Inverse-Weighted Regression with Residuals
This article considers the problem of examining causal effect moderation using observational, longitudinal data in which treatment, candidate moderators, and putative confounders are time-varying.
2012
Journal Article
Journal Article
The Effectiveness of Community-Based Delivery of an Evidence-Based Treatment for Adolescent Substance Use
This study evaluates the effectiveness of motivational enhancement therapy/cognitive behavioral therapy–5 (MET/CBT-5) when delivered in community practice settings relative to standard community-based adolescent treatment.
2012
Research Brief
Research Brief
The War Within: Suicide Prevention in the U.S. Military
The increasing number of suicides is causing concern in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Suicide-prevention programs in DoD and across the services have some (but not all) of the characteristics of comprehensive programs.
Feb 17, 2011
Report
The War Within: Preventing Suicide in the U.S. Military
The increase in suicides among military personnel has raised concern. This book reviews suicide epidemiology in the military, catalogs military suicide-prevention activities, and recommends relevant best practices.
Feb 17, 2011
Journal Article
Journal Article
Associations Between Abstinence in Adolescence and Economic and Educational Outcomes Seven Years Later Among High-Risk Youth
This study found that abstinence from all substance use for 12 months among a sample of 13-17 year olds was associated with positive long-term educational and economic outcomes relative to use of any substance.
2011
Journal Article
Journal Article
PartyIntents: A Portal Survey to Assess Gay and Bisexual Men's Risk Behaviors at Weekend Parties
Portal survey methods can be used to anonymously survey gay and bisexual men about HIV-risk behaviors before and after a weekend party–oriented vacation.
2011
Journal Article
Journal Article
Using a Cross-Study Design to Assess the Efficacy of Motivational Enhancement Therapy-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 5 (MET/CBT5) in Treating Adolescents with Cannabis-Related Disorders
Youth with marijuana problems who received a research-based treatment (motivational enhancement therapy plus cognitive behavioral therapy [MET/CBT5]) had better outcomes than similar youth treated in community-based programs.
2011
Research Brief
Research Brief
Studies' Estimates of PTSD Prevalence Rates for Returning Service Members Vary Widely
Summarizes analyses of existing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) studies for war zone veterans, finding that the prevalence estimates vary widely and are linked to the use of different PTSD diagnostic definitions and divergent study samples.
Feb 11, 2010
Journal Article
Journal Article
Disparate Prevalence Estimates of PTSD Among Service Members Who Served in Iraq and Afghanistan: Possible Explanations
Combat exposure is the only correlate consistently associated with PTSD.
2010
Journal Article
How Perceptions of Mortality and HIV Morbidity Relate to Substance Abuse Problems and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Former Juvenile Offenders
Youth who think they are likely to get HIV are at greater risk for later substance abuse problems and risky sexual behaviors, but this perception doesn't cause them to reduce their substance use and change their behavior.
2010
Report
Report
The Effects of Substance Use on Workplace Injuries
This paper examines associations between substance use and occupational injuries and reviews related literature and policies.
May 27, 2009
Journal Article
Journal Article
Alcohol Abuse and Illegal Drug Use Among Los Angeles County Trauma Patients: Prevalence and Evaluation of Single Item Screener
This research studied alcohol abuse and illegal substance use patterns in a large cohort of urban trauma patients, identified correlates of alcohol abuse, and assessed the utility of a single item binge-drinking screener for identifying patients with past
2009
Journal Article
Seven-year Life Outcomes of Adolescent Offenders in Los Angeles
The authors examined important life outcomes for adolescent offenders to describe how they were faring in young adulthood.
2009
Journal Article
Journal Article
Seven Years Later: Developmental Transitions and Delinquent Behavior for Male Adolescents Who Received Long-Term Substance Treatment
Few studies have applied the life course perspective to the study of drug use, a noticeable omission in the field.
2009
Journal Article
Substance Use and Delinquency Among Fifth Graders Who Have Jobs
Working for pay is associated with substance use and delinquency among older adolescents, although information is scant about younger youth who work. This study investigates associations between self-reports of having a job and substance use and delinquent behaviors in a sample of U.S. 5th graders.
2009
Draft
Draft
Invisible Wounds: Predicting the Immediate and Long-Term Consequences of Mental Health Problems in Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom
Reviews literature on post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and traumatic brain injury and discusses the likely effects of these conditions for veterans that have served in Afghanistan and Iraq and their families.
Apr 18, 2008
Report
Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery
A comprehensive study of the post-deployment health-related needs associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and traumatic brain injury among servicemembers returning from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Mar 26, 2008
Research Brief
Research Brief
Teens Who Work Are More Likely to Smoke
This research brief describes a study that found that working for pay in and around the 10th grade is associated with increased smoking among teens.
Jan 9, 2008
Journal Article
Journal Article
Posttraumatic Distress and Physical Functioning: A Longitudinal Study of Injured Survivors of Community Violence
Cross-lagged relationships between posttraumatic distress symptoms and physical functioning are reciprocally related following traumatic injury. Interventions targeting physical recovery may influence subsequent mental health, and vice versa.
2008
Journal Article
Journal Article
A Prospective Investigation of Suicide Ideation, Attempts, and Use of Mental Health Service Among Adolescents in Substance Abuse Treatment
This study examined suicide ideation, attempts, and subsequent mental health service among a sample of 948 youth from substance abuse treatment facilities across the United States.
2008
Journal Article
Journal Article
The Effect of Working for Pay on Adolescent Tobacco Use
There is a strong link between working for pay and adolescent tobacco use.
2007
Journal Article
Journal Article
Smoking Rates Among Adolescents in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Substance abuse treatment programs often do not target smoking, despite its long-term health risks
2007
Journal Article
Journal Article
Racial Differences in Marijuana-Users' Risk of Arrest in the United States
A recent study of arrest data show that African Americans are 2.5 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession offences than Whites.
2006
Journal Article
Journal Article
How Criminal System Racial Disparities May Translate Into Health Disparities
Disadvantaged racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. are strikingly over-represented in the juvenile justice and adult criminal justice systems.
2005