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

Abstract

Abstract. 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.

Keywords:

• behavioral health
• college
• service members
• veterans

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful for the support received from the University of South Florida Steering Committee on Veterans Reintegration and committee co-chairs Martin Steele, Lt. General, U.S.M.C. (Retired), Associate Vice President for Veterans Research, Executive Director, Military Partnerships, and Paul Sanberg, PhD, DSc, Senior Vice President for Research & Innovation, President, USF Research Foundation. The authors are appreciative of the staff of the USF Office of Veterans Services for their assistance and to the service members and veterans who participated in this study.

FUNDING

This research was supported through funding received from the University of South Florida Steering Committee on Veterans Reintegration.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of the University of South Florida.

NOTE

For comments and further information, address correspondence to Lawrence Schonfeld, PhD, Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA (e-mail: [email protected]).