The Role of Psychological Symptomatology and Social Support in the Academic Adjustment of Previously Deployed Student Veterans

Abstract

Context: Research has indicated that returning Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans are experiencing mental health concerns following deployment. Increasing numbers of veterans are enrolling in higher education institutions; there is a scarcity of empirical research investigating student veterans' experiences as they transition into college. Objective: To examine the effects of psychological distress and social support on academic adjustment among a sample of student veterans who were previously deployed. Design, Setting, and Participants: Participants were 117 military veterans enrolled in college. Questionnaires were administered via SurveyMonkey from June 2012 to April 2013. Results: Results indicated that military unit support during deployment, current social support, anxiety, and posttraumatic symptoms, but not depressive symptoms, were significantly associated with academic adjustment. Conclusions: Results from the current study can be used by college administrators and counseling centers to improve service delivery and programming specifically for student veterans.

Keywords:

• academic adjustment
• psychological symptomato-logy
• social support
• student veterans

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was based on the thesis research of the first author, utilizing data from a larger research project directed by the second author without funding support. The authors are grateful to the participants for their time and cooperation, as well as the research assistants who contributed to the project.

FUNDING

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.

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 North Texas.

NOTE

For comments and further information, address correspondence to Shelley A. Riggs, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle no. 311280, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA (e-mail: [email protected]).