Abstract
Military veterans (n = 153) completed an on-line survey and were broken down into combat (n = 92) versus non-combat (n = 61) veterans. The combat veterans had higher life satisfaction, perceived occupational alternatives, and education level versus the non-combat veterans. Looking at correlates to life satisfaction, for both samples number of prior traumatic events (negative) and personal accomplishment (positive) were significantly related. In addition, for the combat veterans, highest education level and perceived occupational alternatives were significantly related to life satisfaction. A high percentage of both combat and non-combat veterans were currently going to school to further their education. Working with employed combat and non-combat veterans, those currently going to school to further their education had higher perceived occupational alternatives than veterans not going back. Working with a smaller group of combat versus non-combat respondents who did volunteer work, the non-combat veterans were higher on perceived meaningfulness of volunteer work than the combat veterans. Returning to school can be one way to help military veterans find rewarding meaningful work, through perceived occupational alternatives, which can help to increase their life satisfaction. If increased education is not an option, volunteer work may also lead to higher perceived meaningful work. As veterans transition from military to civilian life, military out-processing should continue to counsel/prepare transitioning veterans for: finding/interviewing for jobs as well as realistic new careers; identifying meaningful voluntary work opportunities; or finding resources for furthering one’s education.
Highlights
1.1 Introduce the ProblemAs military veterans transition to civilian life, it is important to understand how well they transition and variables that affect that transition. Morgan et al (2017) used data from the Pew Research Center’s 2011 Veterans Study, which included one-item self-report measures of transition/readjustment to civilian life and happiness
For the combat veterans, highest education level and perceived occupational alternatives were significantly related to life satisfaction
As veterans transition from military to civilian life, military out-processing should continue to counsel/prepare transitioning veterans for: finding/interviewing for jobs as well as realistic new careers; identifying meaningful voluntary work opportunities; or finding resources for furthering one’s education
Summary
1.1 Introduce the ProblemAs military veterans transition to civilian life, it is important to understand how well they transition and variables that affect that transition. Morgan et al (2017) used data from the Pew Research Center’s 2011 Veterans Study, which included one-item self-report measures of transition/readjustment to civilian life and happiness. As military veterans transition to civilian life, it is important to understand how well they transition and variables that affect that transition. Morgan et al (2017) used data from the Pew Research Center’s 2011 Veterans Study, which included one-item self-report measures of transition/readjustment to civilian life and happiness. A multi-item transition to civilian life scale (TCLS) for military veterans was published (Weiss, Rubin, & Graeser, 2019) and shows promise for gaining greater insights into this transition process. To date there has been little research directly comparing work-related correlates of life satisfaction for combat versus non-combat veteran samples. Life satisfaction would be expected to be an important component for measuring a successful transition from military to civilian life (Morgan, Desmarais, & Neupert, 2017)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
