From Veteran to Student: Using Structural Equation Modeling to Examine the Impact of School Environment on Education and Psychosocial Outcomes
Date of Award
11-2018
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Organizational Unit
Graduate School of Social Work
First Advisor
Jennifer Bellamy
Keywords
Veterans, Education
Abstract
Post-9/11 veterans are increasingly entering higher education. As a result of their time in service, they may bring both strengths and challenges to the academic setting. The campus environment has been suggested to be an important factor in the support of Post-9/11 student veterans. Progress has been made in providing veteran-specific supports on campus, but this population also experiences stigmatization from others on campus. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), this dissertation study sought to explore veterans' perceptions of veteran-friendliness and stigmatization on campus and the effects on educational and psychosocial outcomes. Results indicated that while many student veterans are educationally successful, many also struggle with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and perceive low amounts of veteran-friendliness and considerable amounts of stigmatization. Results of the SEM analysis suggest that their experiences of stigmatization on campus and PTSD negatively affect their quality of life and beliefs about treatment seeking. Veteran-friendliness, by contrast, may buffer negative effects of stigmatization on the quality of life. Implications of this study for policy and social work include the need to use GI Bill funding to support veteran specific services on campus. In addition to support specifically for student veterans, findings from this study highlight the additional need of educating others on campus in order to address cultural concerns.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.
Rights Holder
Ashley A. O'Connor
Provenance
Received from author
File Format
application/pdf
Language
en
File Size
125 pgs
Recommended Citation
O'Connor, Ashley A., "From Veteran to Student: Using Structural Equation Modeling to Examine the Impact of School Environment on Education and Psychosocial Outcomes" (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2196.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/2196
Copyright date
2018
Discipline
Social work, Education