Student Veterans Reintegrating From the Military to the University With Traumatic Injuries: How Does Service Use Relate to Health Status?

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Christine A ElnitskyDennis Wiese

Abstract

To examine the effects of campus services on the health of veterans with traumatic injuries and comorbidities as they return from military service and enter college. Cross-sectional Internet survey using a mixed-methods analysis approach. Four-year urban research university. Veterans returning from active military duty (N=127). None. Surveys included standardized measures of health status, traumatic injuries, and functional impairment (PTSD Checklist, Civilian version; Veterans Health Administration traumatic brain injury [TBI] screen; and Veterans RAND-12 item Health Survey); use of campus services and perceived effectiveness of these services in supporting reintegration to the university; and recommendations for additional services. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed that student veterans experience high rates of chronic pain that interfere with their daily functioning (92.7%), symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (77.9%), symptoms of TBI (26.0%), and comorbidities as the polytrauma clinical triad (14.2%). Despite the high prevalence of pain, PTSD, and TBI, few students used disability services (5.2%), counseling services (18.8%), or student health services (36.5%). Students experienced challenges accessin...Continue Reading

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