Homecoming and College Transition Narratives of Student Military Veterans

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the homecoming and college transition narratives constructed by student veterans in order to help college clinicians a) to more holistically understand these veterans and their experiences, b) to more fully enter their phenomenological worlds, and c) to form more genuine and effective therapeutic relationships with them. Twelve student veteran participants were interviewed, and six common themes emerged from the analysis. Theoretical and clinical implications are provided, as well as more practical recommendations for college clinicians on how to increase campus-wide support and inclusivity for their student veterans.

KEYWORDS:

• Student veterans
• student military
• veteran adjustment
• veteran homecoming
• veterans

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to kindly thank Danielle Oakley, Ph.D. for her continual support and helpful feedback in preparing this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).