Background: This study investigates the patterns of social support over time for men and women post-9/11 combat veterans in relation to trauma history and gender. Social support level is closely linked to trauma exposure and associated mental health outcomes. Combat veterans of this conflict era have high levels of trauma exposure, and although prior research has examined social support in veterans, longitudinal examination of social support and its trajectory has been limited and potential gender differences have not been investigated. Although evidence suggests there may be an initial decline in social support following discharge from the military, little is known about veterans’ social support trajectories over time and what factors might influence these trajectories. This study examines social support patterns over time for men and women veterans with and without complex trauma histories.

Methods: The current investigation is a secondary analysis of longitudinal cohort data from the Survey of Experiences of Returning Veterans (SERV; n = 850). This study employed a repeated measures longitudinal design using five waves of data collection (Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months) with 672 combat veterans.

Results: A unique sample with 40% women, and other demographics closely resembling that of current servicemembers, allowed for a comparison in social support levels by sex over an 18-month study period. Overall, social support increased from baseline over time and time since discharge at baseline predicted social support trajectories. Results from random intercept multilevel logistic models to assess changes in social support over time and potential interactions with gender and trauma history will be presented and implications discussed.

Conclusions: This study represents an important contribution to the literature and its findings will have implications for interventions to support veterans and meet their needs as they navigate the community reintegration process. Findings could help to indicate periods in time when men or women veterans may experience declines in social support, and need additional resources and supports from the Veterans Health Administration, their families, or their communities.