Mental health and educational outcomes among current and former National Guard and Reserve soldiers

Bonnie M. Vest, Rachel A. Hoopsick, D. Lynn Homish, Gregory G. Homish

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the relationships between mental health and educational outcomes among student service members and veterans (SSM/Vs). Participants: Current/former Reserve and National Guard (R/NG) soldiers who were enrolled in school, college, or university in the past year (n = 130). Data were collected in 2014–2016. Methods: Exact logistic regression models separately examined the impact of anxiety, depression, anger, and PTSD on quitting/flunking in the past year. Final models controlled for sex and deployment status. Results: In final models, anxiety [OR: 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 1.23; p<.01], anger (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.21; p<.01), and PTSD (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.10; p<.01) were associated with a higher odds of quitting/flunking school, college or university. Depression was not associated with quitting/flunking. Conclusion: Anxiety, anger, and PTSD are associated with quitting/flunking among SSM/Vs. Interventions tailored to this population that address mental health needs may improve the likelihood of academic success.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)110-114
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of American College Health
Volume68
Issue number2
Early online dateDec 20 2018
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 17 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Academic success
  • mental health
  • veterans

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mental health and educational outcomes among current and former National Guard and Reserve soldiers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this