Validation of a Self-Assessment Tool for Identifying Need for Assistance in Military to Civilian Transition

Abstract

A self-assessment tool was developed to encourage releasing service members to reflect on their preparedness for military to civilian transition and need for assistance. The aim of this paper was to examine its validity among recently released Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members using data from the Canadian Armed Forces Transition and Well-Being Survey (CAFTWS). The survey was administered in 2017 to a total of 1,414 CAF Veterans (former CAF members), representing a response rate of 75%. The validity of the self-assessment tool was confirmed, as shown by the significant correlations between each of its indicators and variables corresponding to six domains of well-being: employment or other meaningful activity, finances, health, life skills and preparedness, social integration, and housing/physical environment. The potential utility of the self-assessment tool for assessing military to civilian transition outcomes was also supported by its significant associations with difficult adjustment to civilian life in the manner expected. The current study provides further evidence for the validity of the self-assessment tool for identifying needs for assistance that Veterans may have during military to civilian transition. The tool holds promise for encouraging transitioning members and families to seek assistance and should be considered as a complement to active screening.