WAVES Program Information

Study 1

The physical, psychological, and social impacts of participation in the Invictus Pathways Program: A qualitative analysis of veterans’ perceptions and experiences, PLOS One, Post, D, Baker, A, Milanese, S, Freegard, S, & Parfitt, G, 2023.

Describes expectations and experiences of IPP veterans via semi-structured interviews.

• • Participants reported positive impact of IPP on social engagement, and sense of belonging within IPP and UniSA.
  • Participants felt fitter and stronger and strongly felt it was an opportunity to ‘give back’ by contributing to student training.
  • They intended to continue being physically active, including involvement in community sporting organisations.

Study 2

Process evaluation of the Invictus Pathways Program, PLOS One, Post, D, Baker, A, Milanese, S, Freegard, S, & Parfitt, G, 2023.

Describes components of IPP and reports on process evaluation, including number of training sessions, attendance, activities, and program fidelity between 2017 & 2020 via semi-structured interviews with IPP participants, family support network and IPP staff.

• • High fidelity for student-delivered exercise training sessions.
  • Between 2017 and 2020, 53 veterans participated in or continued to participate in IPP, and 63 students completed placements; individual training sessions increased from 53 in in 2017 to 1,024 in 2020.
  • Satisfaction with IPP was mostly high, although areas for improvement noted, such as communication and structured processes for transition from IPP, better support for those not reaching their goals (e.g., selection for Invictus Games), ensuring that agencies engaging with participants understood mental health factors.

Study 3

“I know I can do anything I set my mind to now.” From the Invictus Pathways Program to representing Australia competitively: a qualitative analysis of the perceptions and experiences of veterans and their family support networks about the impact of participation., Military Behavioral Health, in review. Post, D, Baker, A, Milanese, S, Freegard, S, & Parfitt, G, 2023.

Describes lived-experience perspectives (between August ‘18 to December ’20) of training, team selection, representing selves and country on the international stage, and plans post-competition via semi-structured interviews.  

• Participation in competition was valued by veterans and members of family support network, but was generally followed by ‘post games blues’.
• Despite the evidence for physical and psychological benefits for veterans who participate in competitive events, appropriate support throughout training, participation, and post-competition, should be provided to mitigate potentially detrimental impacts on mental health and wellbeing.
• It is important to incorporate perspectives and needs of family networks when developing, implementing, and evaluating approaches to veteran support in this environment.

Study 4

Physical activity interventions and programs targeting physical and psychological wellbeing for veterans: a systematic review. In preparation. Post, D, Worley, A., Cockram, H. & Parfitt, G.

Study 5

Impact of the Invictus Pathways Program placement on students’ readiness to work with veterans and first responders. Nelson, M., Stenner, B.

This project will establish the impact of the IPP placement experience on students’ readiness to work with, and attitudes towards veterans and first responders.  It aims to evaluate the extent to which IPP placements up skill students in the area of veteran and first-responder health and wellbeing.

Current PhD

Supporting the wellbeing of veterans, first responders, and family care-partners as they transition through and out of the Invictus Pathways Program (IPP), Hannah Cockram, 2022-2025.

The overarching aim of this PhD research is to support the wellbeing needs of veterans, first responders and their family care-partners as they transition through and out of the IPP.