Category: MFRI

MFRI has launched the Evaluation Champions Program, connecting nonprofit organizations with researchers to strengthen program evaluation capacity. The initiative helps organizations develop practical evaluation strategies, improve outcomes measurement, and use data-driven insights to enhance services for military, veteran, and civilian communities.

The Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) at Purdue University has named a study examining the Strength at Home Couples (SAH-C) program as the recipient of the 2025 Thompson Award. The research found that military service members participating in the evidence-based, trauma-informed intervention experienced greater reductions in physical, psychological and sexual intimate partner violence compared to those in a comparison group. Participants and their partners also reported fewer suicidal thoughts and behaviors, highlighting the program’s potential to strengthen military relationships and improve family well-being.

Community partners gathered Nov. 17 to host the monthly Reaching Rural Veterans event at Loaves and Fishes Ministries of Fremont County. Reaching Rural Veterans is a cutting-edge outreach initiative developed by the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University.

The Thompson is a national initiative that recognizes and amplifies the most impactful research on military and veteran families. It is a dynamic platform designed to elevate outstanding research and ensure that evidence-based insights reach practitioners working with military and veteran families. An evolution and expansion of MFRI’s annual research award, The Thompson brings together several key initiatives under one name.

MFRI named a groundbreaking study on the connections between childhood trauma, stressors and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in military couples as the winner of the 2024 Barbara Thompson Excellence in Research on Military and Veteran Families Award.

Battlemind will take place in Noblesville, Indiana on Thursday, October 24 with preconference sessions on Wednesday, October 23. Early bird registration for Battlemind is $120 per person and preconference is $55 per person. Prices increase September 19. 

Developed by Purdue University’s College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) and Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) with support from the Purdue University Office of Research, aims to add to these innovations by providing Purdue faculty with the support needed...

The Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) of Purdue is an organization that helps military and veteran families through information gathering and direct community support. MFRI conducted the Reaching Rural Veterans (RRV) program to serve rural communities directly. Research and direct...

Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth

From helping women student veterans find support and success in college to connecting military and veteran families with mental health resources, Purdue University’s Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) has enhanced the well-being of countless military and veteran families since its...