Functional Limitations, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and College Adjustment in Student Veterans: A Mediation Analysis Study

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine whether functional limitations mediate the relation between PTSD symptoms and college life adjustment in student veterans with PTSD symptoms.MethodsA total of 232 student veterans with PTSD symptoms were recruited for this study. Participants were predominantly male (84.5%; females = 15.5%). Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 54 years (M = 28.43, SD = 5.42). Correlational analyses were conducted to calculate the relationships among study variables. We also conducted a mediation analysis to examine whether functional limitations mediate the relationship between PTSD symptoms and college life adjustment.ResultsThe mediation analysis indicated that the effect of PTSD symptoms on college adjustment can be partially explained by functional limitations.ConclusionOur results have potentially important implications for rehabilitation counseling researchers and clinicians in the COVID-19 era.