Predictors of self-reported health and psychological distress among recently released Canadian Armed Forces Veterans

ABSTRACT

Recent research has found that, while the majority of Veterans report a positive adjustment to post-service life, the number who report experiencing transition difficulties is increasing. This study aims to describe some of the predictors of general health, mental health, and psychological distress, with a focus on recently released Canadian Armed Forces Veterans. Analysis was performed on a sample of Veterans (N=909) who released in the past five years. Separate stepwise logistic regression models explored the odds of reporting each negative health outcome, first controlling for individual and military characteristics, then exploring the relative associations of well-being indicators. Presence of chronic physical and mental health conditions was associated with all negative health outcomes. Other indicators associated with a higher likelihood of negative health outcomes included dissatisfaction with one’s main activity since retirement, having a low sense of community belonging, being disabled and not being in the workforce. Higher mastery was associated with a lower likelihood of distress and poor general health, and was marginally significantly associated with a lower likelihood of poor mental health. The results demonstrate the importance of individual factors, social integration, and chronic health conditions in predicting the health outcomes of recently released CAF Veterans.

KEYWORDS:

• Veterans
• well-being
• military-to-civilian transition
• mental health
• physical health

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data sharing availability

The 2019 Life After Service Survey dataset is available through Statistics Canada – Surveys and statistical programs – Life After Service Survey (LASS) (statcan.gc.ca). Record number 5172.