Psychosocial Characteristics of Student Veterans with Service-Related Disabilities: Implications for Further Research and Occupational Therapy Involvement

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to assess how post-9/11 university student veterans differ from nonveteran university students on four mental health indicators. In comparison to a demographically matched sample of nonveteran students, it was found that veterans in this study had significantly higher levels of depression and post-traumatic stress symptomatology and non-significantly lower levels of engagement in meaningful activities and meaning in life. This non-experimental study indicates that mental health differences between student veterans and their nonveteran peers do exist, and argues for the inclusion of occupational therapy services for student veterans.

KEYWORDS:

• Depression
• meaning
• military veterans
• post-secondary education
• post-traumatic stress disorder