TitleMental Health Symptoms Among Student Service Members/Veterans and Civilian College Students.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsPhibbs, S, Branscum, AJ, Bovbjerg, VE, Thorburn, S
JournalJ Am Coll Health
Volume63
Issue7
Pagination459-72
Date Published10/2015
ISSN1940-3208
KeywordsAdult, Anxiety, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Disorders, Self Report, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Students, United States, Universities, Veterans
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate if and to what extent student service members/veterans differ from civilian college students in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of poor mental health.

PARTICIPANTS: The Fall 2011 implementation of the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment included 27,774 respondents from 44 colleges and universities.

METHODS: Participants were matched using propensity scores, and the prevalence of symptoms was compared using logistic regression and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models.

RESULTS: The odds of feeling overwhelmed in the last 12 months were significantly lower among student service members/veterans with a history of hazardous duty (odd ratio [OR] = 0.46, adjusted p value <.05) compared with civilian students. Military service, with and without hazardous duty deployment, was not a significant predictor of the total number of symptoms of poor mental health.

CONCLUSIONS: Current student service members/veterans may not be disproportionately affected by poor psychological functioning.

DOI10.1080/07448481.2014.983925
Alternate JournalJ Am Coll Health
PubMed ID25397862