Depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and grade point average among student servicemembers and veterans

The Moderating Role of Resilience on Mindfulness, Experiential Avoidance, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms of College Student Veterans: A Cross-Sectional Study

The purpose of the study was to investigate the moderating effect of resilience on the relationship between mindfulness, experiential avoidance, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity. A cross-sectional study design was used on a sample of 133 college student military veterans. We found a direct effect of mindfulness on PTSD and a significant mediating effect of experiential avoidance on the relationship between mindfulness and PTSD. Resilience also had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between mindfulness and PTSD. This study provides preliminary evidence on the usefulness of integrating resilience development in mindfulness-based interventions for trauma-related disorders.

The Mental Health and Grade Point Average among College Students from Lower Socioeconomic Status Based on Healthcare Data Analysis

This study evaluated the mediating role of social support in the relationships between mental health and academic achievement and used a sample of 640 college students from lower socioeconomic status (LSES) compared to 501 from higher socioeconomic status (HSES) in China. Self-report measures of depression, anxiety, Internet addiction, self-esteem, perceived social support, and grade point average (GPA) were measured online. Group differences were examined with Chi-square analyses. Results. (1) There were significant differences in mental health, academic achievement, and social support between LSES and HSES. (2) Anxiety, depression, and Internet addiction were significantly negatively correlated with academic achievement; self-esteem and social support were significantly positively correlated with academic achievement. (3) Social support has a mediating role between mental health and academic achievement. These results proved that it is necessary to pay more attention to their mental health and develop social support to improve their academic achievement for LSES students. Previous studies have paid little attention to the LSES students, but these students are more prone to psychological problems. Therefore, this study focuses on the LSES students.

War-related trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder prevalence among Syrian university students

BACKGROUND

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in war-affected regions. Syria has endured 9 years of war and yet little is known about the impact of the conflict on the well-being of Syrians who remain. In this study, we investigated trauma and estimated PTSD prevalence among university students in Deir-ez-Zor, a Syrian governorate that was under the siege by ISIS for over 3 years.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used on a sample of Al-Furat university students in Deir-ez-Zor. We collected data on socio-demographics, trauma exposure, and stress levels. PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 was used to provide prevalence rate estimates, and determine the symptom severity among Syrian university students. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the development of PTSD symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 833 students were recruited into the study, 86.4% of the participants were exposed to at least one traumatic event. The estimated PTSD prevalence was 28.2%, and the highest PTSD rates were found among students who were forced into sexual act (46.3%). A significant association was found between PTSD and internal displacement (p = .032), academic year (p = .002), and social economic status (p = .000). Binary logistic regression indicated that PTSD symptoms were predicted by smoking and third-year university students.

CONCLUSIONS

The results presented in this research revealed a high prevalence of trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms among a sample of university students in Deir-ez-Zor. These findings call for immediate actions to help the affected population in restoring their mental health, so they can be prepared to face the challenges and demands of the post-conflict period.

College student veterans' experience with a mindfulness- and acceptance-based mobile app intervention for PTSD: A qualitative study

This study aimed to explore college student military veterans' experience with a mindfulness- and acceptance-based smartphone app intervention. Upon the 4-week participation in the intervention, 23 student veterans took part in semi-structured interviews. In the thematic analysis of the interview transcripts, three main themes emerged: (1) generating momentum of app use; (2) optimizing the functions and benefits of the app; and (3) resolving to deepen the practice of mindfulness and acceptance. Considering the low engagement rates of several previous app-based studies, our results provide a useful framework for incorporating human feedback and support in enhancing users' engagement with the app.

Promoting Resilience Among College Student Veterans Through an Acceptance-and-Commitment-Therapy App: An Intervention Refinement Study

Military veterans' stigmatized views on mental disorders and traditional mental health care considerably reduce veterans' access to mental health services. The present study aimed to refine a previously developed non-stigmatizing smartphone-app intervention based on the principles of acceptance and commitment therapy for college student veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To this end, we tested the acceptability of the developed prototype using a mixed-method study design. A total of nine student veterans participated in the study by using the app intervention and completing pre-post study measures and a post-intervention qualitative interview. The results showed that the intervention was highly acceptable. The results of the qualitative data analysis highlighted relevant themes related to strategies for improving the content, delivery, and structure of the intervention. The results also showed that, despite a decrease in the participants' adherence as the intervention progressed, there was a consistent improvement in the participants' resilience, PTSD, and rumination. Based on the results, the intervention was revised for prospective feasibility and efficacy testing. Our results highlight the need to use a collaborative approach in the early stage of the development of self-management PTSD interventions.

Examining the DSM-5 latent structures of posttraumatic stress disorder in a national sample of student veterans

To date, no studies have examined the latent structures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within a sample of student veterans. To examine these constructs in a student veteran sample (n = 297), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted on six different models of PTSD, including a one-factor model, based on the 20 symptoms found in the DSM-5; PTSD was assessed using the PCL-5. Global fit statistics suggest that fit across all models, including the 1-factor model, were good [RMSEAs(0.054-0.056); CFIs(0.928-0.940); SRMRs(0.043-0.045)], and the AIC was lowest for the seven-factor hybrid model. Statistical tests and fit guidelines for nested models suggest there is no quantitative advantage of a five, six, or seven-factor model over the existing DSM-5 four-factor model. Given the high percentage of student veterans that screened positive for a probable PTSD diagnosis (53 %) in this study compared to non-student veterans (11-20 %) and the general student population (11-15 %) found in other studies, further research is needed to assess the clinical utility of these symptoms and model structures.

Testing the acceptability and initial efficacy of a smartphone-app mindfulness intervention for college student veterans with PTSD

This single-arm, pre-post feasibility study evaluated the acceptability and initial efficacy of a mindfulness smartphone-app intervention intended to promote resilience and improve posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among college student military veterans. The app contained mindfulness exercises and meditations based on the acceptance and commitment therapy. Twenty-three student veterans used the app for four weeks. The results showed high levels of perceived satisfaction and usability of the app. Significant changes in resilience, mindfulness, PTSD, experiential avoidance, and rumination were observed. Future research is needed to test the intervention in a randomized controlled trial.

Veterans as Students in Higher Education: A Scoping Review

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine what is known about military veterans as students in higher education and inform nurse educators.

BACKGROUND

Military veterans are increasingly enrolling in higher education and in nursing programs and may provide a recruitment source for nursing education.

METHOD

A scoping review of literature published after 2011 was performed to determine characteristics of military veterans as students. Twelve sources were identified.

RESULTS

Military veterans have multiple strengths yet may also experience barriers to success. As a result, veterans may struggle to transition from the rigid military environment to the more relaxed college setting.

CONCLUSION

Military veterans may provide a recruitment source for the nursing workforce. Gaining knowledge of the strengths and barriers faced by these students may help nurse educators plan strategies for achieving academic success.

Student Veterans' Coping with Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms: A Glaserian Grounded Theory Study

The present study investigated the ways in which student military veterans cope with their posttraumatic stress symptoms. The participants were a total of 21 military veterans attending a U.S. university. The results of the grounded theory data analysis reveal the core category of modulating intrusions, a process indicating how student veterans cope with recurrent and unwanted posttraumatic stress experiences. Our findings also demonstrate that veterans cope by either avoiding or allowing themselves to experience the pain associated from their traumatic experiences. The proposed framework can be meaningfully used to facilitate the development of adaptive coping among veterans with posttraumatic stress.

Trauma related guilt cognitions partially mediate the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and functioning among returning combat veterans

Trauma related guilt, a distressing emotion associated with negative cognitions regarding one's actions or inaction during a traumatic event, is common among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We hypothesized that trauma related guilt cognitions would partially explain the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and functioning. The sample consisted of 254 combat veterans or active duty military personnel who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) who consented to participate in a larger PTSD treatment study. Results revealed a significant relationship between PTSD severity and guilt cognitions (standardized β = 0.40), as well as PTSD and overall functioning (β = 0.49). Guilt cognitions (β's = 0.13 to 0.32) were significantly associated with nearly all domains of functioning, including overall functioning (β = 0.27), and partially explained the relationship between PTSD and functioning. This study lends support to the addition of guilt as a symptom of PTSD in the DSM-5 as it contributes significantly to functional impairment even when accounting for other symptoms of PTSD, although co-occurring mental health problems may also contribute to functional impairments associated with PTSD. Future studies are needed to investigate whether reductions in traumatic guilt are related to improved functional outcomes in PTSD treatments.

Protective and Vulnerability Factors Contributing to Resilience in Post-9/11 Veterans With Service-Related Injuries in Postsecondary Education

OBJECTIVE

To examine differences in psychosocial protective factors (social support, meaningful occupation, and academic self-efficacy) and health-related vulnerability factors (posttraumatic stress, depression, and somatic symptoms) contributing to resilience in post-9/11 veterans with service-related injuries and nonveterans in postsecondary education.

METHOD

A cross-sectional, matched-participants design using propensity score matching was used to test differences in mean levels of protective and vulnerability factors between injured veterans (n = 26) and nonveterans (n = 19); zero-order correlations explored relationships among study variables.

RESULTS

The veteran sample demonstrated lower levels of psychosocial protective factors and higher levels of health-related vulnerability factors compared with nonveterans (|0.49| to |1.56|). Psychosocial protective factors were consistently negatively associated with health-related vulnerability factors (-.27 to -.63).

CONCLUSION

Post-9/11 veterans with service-related injuries are at a substantial disadvantage in terms of resilience; lower protective factors and elevated vulnerability factors may increase their risk for poor campus integration and impede academic achievement.