Student Service Members/veterans Research Articles

Well-Being as a predictor of academic success in student veterans and factor validation of the PERMA + 4 well-being measurement scale

Objective: The study sought to test whether well-being predicts academic performance for student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) and to assess the factor structure of the PERMA + 4 measurement scale for use in this student population. Participants: Post-9/11 SSM/Vs (N = 199) from seven colleges and universities in the U.S. completed an online survey. Methods: A cross-sectional survey research design was used to assess PERMA + 4 and academic success. The PERMA + 4 framework and the measurement scale were examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and logistic regressions to determine if PERMA + 4 predicted academic performance in SSM/Vs. Results: Findings indicate that PERMA + 4 is a predictor of SSM/Vs academic performance, and CFA confirmed the factor structure of PERMA + 4 for use with SSM/Vs. Conclusions: The findings suggest that screening for the building blocks of well-being in SSM/Vs with a validated and comprehensive multidimensional instrument could be useful for mitigating transition challenges into college life and informing appropriate supports.

Assessing invariance of cannabis use motives by veteran status and binary gender identity among college students

ABSTRACT Student service members/veterans (SSM/V) are distinct from non-veteran students in a variety of ways, including in their cannabis use patterns and potentially their motives for cannabis use. Additionally, previous research has shown that men and women endorse different motives for their cannabis use. The present study was designed to assess whether a popular measure of cannabis use motives is invariant across veteran status and gender identity. Based on previous research, we hypothesized that cannabis motives would show invariance across SSM/V men, SSM/V women, non-veteran men, and non-veteran women (n = 1,011, SSM/V = 553) among those who indicated using cannabis at least once in their lifetime. Results from the four-group invariance testing procedure revealed metric invariance. This suggests that while the factor structure and factor loadings are invariant, there are differences at the intercept level for cannabis motives across groups. The same items load onto the same latent constructs and the strength of the items loading onto the latent factors was also the same across groups. The demonstrated invariance has implications for use in SSM/V and non-veteran clients. As this scale is brief, it could easily be used as a screening tool or used to guide intervention content.

Applying the social ecological framework to enhance wellness for student veterans

Objective To increase campus-wide wellness for student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs), student services professionals, healthcare providers, and faculty collaborated to implement the Social Ecological Framework (SEF) over a three-year project. Participants One thousand six hundred and seventy eight SSM/Vs enrolled at a medium-sized doctoral granting institution with high-research activity (R2). SSM/Vs were directly and indirectly impacted through a series of initiatives, including stigma reduction efforts, wellness promotion, faculty training, therapeutic services, and peer-advising. Methods Data collection included student success measures such as retention, student satisfaction/feedback, peer-advising meetings, psychotherapy sessions, TBI screenings, and growth measures from a mental health stigma scale. Results A significant increase in therapy sessions conducted at the Wellness Center, increased faculty trainings, new and strengthened partnerships, and an increase in SSM/V retention. Conclusions Results suggest that collaborative efforts applying the SEF can create improved educational conditions and outcomes for SSM/Vs. A review of SSM/V wellness literature and suggestions for other campuses are offered.

Cannabis use in civilian college students and college student service members/veterans: the moderating effect of anxiety

ABSTRACT Background: Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug on college campuses. Research suggests that Student Service Members/Veterans (SSM/V) may be more likely to use alcohol than civilian students, but little research has focused on cannabis use in these two samples. Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to compare cannabis use frequency, cannabis use disorder (CUD) symptoms, and cannabis-related problems between civilian students and SSM/V. A second aim was to determine if group differences in these outcomes were moderated by symptoms of depression, stress, or anxiety. Methods: The sample included 164 college SSM/V (80.4% female, 19.6% male) and 456 civilian (78% female, 22% male) college students. Participants completed an online survey assessing demographics, number of days of past month cannabis use, cannabis-related problems, CUD symptoms, and a measure of anxiety, depression, and stress. Results: Negative binomial regressions indicated no significant differences in number of days of past-month cannabis use or past-year cannabis-related problems between civilian students and SSM/V, although SSM/V reported more past-year CUD symptoms. Moderation analyses revealed that at elevated levels of anxiety, SSM/V students used cannabis more frequently than civilian students. Conclusion: These findings indicate that when experiencing elevated levels of anxiety, SSM/V use cannabis more frequently than civilian students, suggesting that anxiety may be a more prominent risk factor for frequency of cannabis use for SSM/V compared to civilian students. Education, prevention, and intervention efforts specifically addressing anxiety in this demographic are needed.

Student veterans and adjustment to college: Making meaning of military experiences

Objective This study examined the relationships among meaning making, military stressor severity, and adjustment to college among student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs). Participants Participants were 128 SSM/Vs enrolled in postsecondary education from April to June 2016. Methods Participants completed online self-report rating scales of stressor severity for their most stressful military event, meaning made of that stressor, and adjustment to college. Results Regression analyses revealed that made meaning of military stressors was associated with more positive academic, social, and emotional adjustment to college. Stressor severity was not associated with adjustment, nor did made meaning moderate the relationship between stressor severity and adjustment to college. Conclusion These findings provide preliminary evidence that making meaning of stressful military experiences can promote academic, social, and emotional adjustment to college among SSM/Vs and has implications for incorporating meaning making strategies into university and clinical programs aimed at promoting adjustment to college in this population.

College Warrior Athlete Initiative and academic nursing

Objective The College Warrior Athlete Initiative (CWAI) determined if a key element of military occupational culture, referred to as the “battle-buddy” concept of pairing college athletes with veterans, could be applied to Student Service Members/Veterans (SSM/V) health promotion. Participants: Fifty veterans of fifty-seven enrolled completed the program in seven separate cohorts between 2016 and 2017. Methods: The veteran-student athlete pairs or small groups exercised twice a week for 75 min under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer and attended wellness classes. Results: Of the data from 50 veterans, over 2/3rd of veterans lost weight during their 12-week program and reported increased overall health, mood, energy levels and social engagement. Conclusions: This exercise intervention program implemented at two university campuses indicates the benefits of engaging SSM/Vs and college students for physical exercise to improve health. Results provide a foundation for academic nursing in conjunction with other university departments to increase peer cohesion and a sense of community for SSM/Vs.

Academic performance in student service members/veterans: effects of instructor autonomy support, academic self-efficacy and academic problems

This study examined relationships between instructor autonomy support, academic self-efficacy, academic problems and academic achievement among student service members/veterans (SSM/V). Participants included veterans, active duty or National Guard/Reservists of the US military (N = 172) enrolled in a postsecondary institution. Online surveys generated responses to indicators of instructor autonomy support, academic self-efficacy, and academic problems. Grade point average (GPA) was obtained from the institution. Multiple regression models found that academic self-efficacy and academic problems independently predicted GPA. Health-related factors (e.g. depression) explained academic self-efficacy, academic problems and academic achievement. Academic self-efficacy and academic problems independently mediated the relationship between instructor autonomy support and GPA. Results indicate that greater academic self-efficacy, fewer academic problems and an autonomy-supportive education environment may promote academic achievement in SSM/V despite the presence of health-related factors such as depression, posttraumatic stress and mild traumatic brain injury. Supported education programs may further academic achievement among SSM/V.

Participation, Meaningful Activity, and Social Support Among U.S. Student Service Members/Veterans.

Student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) may experience diminished social support and meaningful activity due to health-related sequelae, in turn threatening their community reintegration. Social and community participation may foster both social support and meaningful activity. This study assessed whether social and community participation explained social support and meaningful activity and evaluated the psychometric properties of the Veterans' Social and Community Participation Assessment (VSCPA). Online surveys generated responses to the VSCPA, indicators of social support, meaningful activity, health-related challenges, and demographic characteristics. Multiple regression models explored predictors of social support and meaningful activity. The VSCPA comprised three components: active community participation, familial and household participation, and social participation. These components exhibited positive associations with social support and meaningful activity and negative relationships with health-related sequelae. Targeting social and community participation among SSM/Vs may be a fruitful means by which occupational therapists bolster social support and meaningful activity.

Life after loss: Comparing student service member/veteran and civilian mental health characteristics among individuals exposed to death by suicide

Objective: This study evaluated the mental health characteristics and beliefs of student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) who have been exposed to another’s death by suicide.Participants: A total of 39 SSM/Vs exposed to suicide and 32 SSM/Vs not exposed to suicide were sampled from a larger, epidemiological survey. An age- and gender-matched group of 39 civilian (C) students was drawn from a larger sample of individuals exposed to suicide.Methods: Data were collected as part of an Internet-based, campus needs survey that occurred in Fall 2014. Participants were asked to complete measures about suicide-related behaviors, suicide prevention, help-seeking, and demographics.Results: SSM/Vs exposed to suicide had more positive mental health/suicide prevention beliefs than SSM/Vs not exposed to suicide. Cs exposed to suicide were not significantly different from either group. Unique help-seeking patterns were also identified.Conclusions: The current study identifies unique characteristics of SSM/Vs exposed to suicide that may inform prevention programming.

Predictors of well-being in the lives of student service members and veterans

ABSTRACTObjective: The current study examined predictors of well-being, including quality of life and academic engagement, in a sample of student service members and veteran college students. Methods: Eighty-seven student service members/veterans (SSM/V) completed an online survey containing questions about post-deployment social support, emotion regulation skills, psychological distress, academic engagement, quality of life, and demographics. Participants were recruited from September 2012 through May 2014. Results: Results provided partial support for the proposed bi-directional mediational relations between post-deployment social support and emotion regulation predicting to quality of life and academic engagement. Path models indicated that both post-deployment social support and emotion regulation skills partially mediated the relation with quality of life while accounting for the effect of psychological distress, and that emotion regulation skills fully mediated the relation between social support and academic engagement. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both social support and emotion regulation skills may be useful targets for health promotion and intervention efforts for this population. Limitations and clinical implications for the development of on-campus SSM/V focused health promotion services are discussed.

Student service members/veterans on campus: Challenges for reintegration.

Many returning OIF/OEF/OND Veterans are seeking higher education in an effort to develop a meaningful career and financial stability. Evidence suggests that student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) are experiencing less academic success than other students. The purpose of this review is to identify the unique challenges of SSM/Vs and evaluate current campus efforts to facilitate their retention and academic performance. With a focus on SSM/Vs attending colleges and universities, we obtained 57 peer-reviewed and 73 gray literature records published between 2001 and 2015. The current SSM/V literature contains an abundance of gray literature, and the empirical research tends to be limited by cross-sectional design and small sample sizes. SSM/Vs encounter significant personal and environmental challenges when transitioning from the military to college campuses. A variety of services have been developed to address the needs of the SSM/V population, but the efficacy of these services remains largely unknown. In conclusion, there is a clear need to provide education to faculty, students, and staff regarding the experiences of SSM/Vs. Efforts to enhance screening for, availability of, and SSM/V engagement in mental health services would also be beneficial, as would improved availability of and SSM/V access to academic support. All future programs designed to address the unique challenges of SSM/Vs in the academic environment should also be systematically implemented and evaluated. (PsycINFO Database Record

Posttraumatic stress and growth in student service members and veterans: The role of personal growth initiative

ABSTRACTObjective: This study explored the extent to which personal growth initiative (PGI) may predict posttraumatic stress and growth in student service members/veterans (SSM/V). Participants: Participants were 136 SSM/V (79% men) representing multiple branches of the armed forces. Forty-four percent of participants reported having combat experience. Methods: Data collection occurred from October 2013 to February 2014. Data were collected via a Web-based survey that included demographics and measures of personal growth initiative, posttraumatic stress, posttraumatic growth, and perceived social support. Results: Results indicated that PGI is not a unique predictor of posttraumatic stress but is a unique predictor of higher levels of posttraumatic growth. PGI appears to be at least as important as perceived social support in facilitating growth in SSM/V. Conclusions: This study provides further evidence for PGI's potential to facilitate growth after a traumatic event.

Informing alcohol interventions for student service members/veterans: Normative perceptions and coping strategies

ObjectiveThe current study aimed to inform future interventions for heavy alcohol use and problems among college students by examining the utility of normative perceptions and coping strategies in predicting alcohol use among student service members/Veterans (SSM/Vs). MethodsSSM/Vs and civilian students (N=319) at a large university in the Southern Plains completed self-report measures of demographics, alcohol use and related behaviors, and coping strategies. ResultsBoth SSM/Vs and civilian students significantly overestimated the typical weekly drinking quantities and frequencies of same-sex students on campus. Among SSM/Vs, normative perceptions of typical student (not military-specific) drinking and substance-related coping strategies significantly predicted drinks consumed per week, while substance-related coping predicted alcohol-related consequences. ConclusionsDespite the theoretical importance of similarity to normative referents, military-specific norms did not significantly improve the prediction of SSM/Vs' personal drinking behavior. Moreover, neither typical student nor military-specific norms predicted alcohol-related consequences among SSM/Vs after accounting for substance-related coping strategies. Future research may examine the efficacy of descriptive normative feedback and the importance of military-specific norms in alcohol interventions for SSM/Vs.

Readjustment of Urban Veterans: A Mental Health and Substance Use Profile of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans in Higher Education

Objective: To identify the prevalence of substance use and mental health problems among veterans and student service members/veterans (SSM/V) returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to New York City's low-income neighborhoods. Participants: A sample of 122 veterans attending college and 116 veterans not enrolled recruited using respondent-driven sampling. Methods: Logistic regression analysis of variation in characteristics of those veterans attending college; linear regression examining effects of college attendance on life satisfaction. Results: Having a traumatic brain injury or disability was positively associated with college attendance. Being married, employed, or in college was predictive of overall life satisfaction. SSM/V were significantly less likely to screen positive for depression or drug use disorder. African American veterans were significantly less likely to attend college than white or Hispanic veterans. Conclusion: Substance use and some mental health disorders do not preclude inner-city veterans from entering higher education. This study contributes to the sparse literature on African American veterans and SSM/V.

Examining the Effects of Self-reported Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Positive Relations With Others on Self-regulated Learning for Student Service Members/Veterans

Objectives: To examine the relationships between self-reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, perceived positive relations with others, self-regulation strategy use, and academic motivation among student service members/veterans (SSM/V) enrolled in postsecondary education. Participants: SSM/V (N = 214), defined as veterans, active duty, or National Guard/Reservists of the US military, enrolled at 5 different institutions in Fall 2012. Methods: Data were collected using an online questionnaire that included standardized measures of PTSD symptoms, perceived quality of personal relations, academic self-regulation strategy use, and academic motivation. Results: PTSD symptoms were associated with lower self-efficacy for learning and maladaptive academic goal orientation. Additionally, PTSD symptoms were associated with lower effort regulation (ie, persistence) during academic work. Endorsement of more positive relations moderated the deleterious relationship between PTSD symptoms and maladaptive goal orientation. Conclusion: The results suggest that postsecondary personnel adopt a social-cognitive framework to develop social, mental health, and academic supports for SSM/V with PTSD.

Behavioral Health and Adjustment to College Life for Student Service Members/Veterans

. Objective: Increasing numbers of student service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) are enrolling in college. However, little is known about how their previous military experience affects their adjustment to this new role. The present study tested the hypothesis that SSM/Vs who report adjustment problems in college have a higher incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other behavioral health problems compared with those who do not report adjustment problems. Participants: SSM/Vs (N = 173) at a large, southeastern, public university completed online surveys that included well-validated screens measuring substance use, depression, PTSD, and other mental disorders. Results: Those reporting difficulties adjusting to university life (28%) reported significantly higher frequencies of behavioral and health problems while in the military, and significantly higher levels of PTSD, depression, and mental health disorders, but no difference in substance use. Conclusions: Implications for improved behavioral health screening and coordination of university behavioral health services with veterans’ health systems are discussed.

Student Service Members/Veterans in Higher Education: A Systematic Review

We systematically reviewed the data-based peer-reviewed research examining student service members/veterans (SSM/V) in higher education. Compared to civilian peers, SSM/V exhibit disproportionately higher rates of health risk behaviors and psychological symptoms, and personal and educational adjustment difficulties (i.e., inability to connect with peers and faculty on campus). Combat-related trauma is a contributing factor to these differences. The current evidence-base is scant, lacking nationally representative and/or longitudinal data to inform policies and programs for SSM/V.