title: Occupational performance needs of young veterans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the occupational performance issues facing young U.S. veterans (aged 20-29 yr) who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Perceived challenges in occupational performance, the most common mental health and brain injuries of war, and motivations for participation in daily occupations upon return to civilian life were identified.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty young veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom were interviewed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (Law et al., 2005). They were also screened for posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, major depression, and alcohol abuse or dependency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The top five occupational performance challenges were engagement in relationships, school, physical health, sleeping, and driving. The health conditions screened positive for 23%-77% of respondents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identified challenges faced by today's young veterans when reintegrating into the community and daily life. Strategies for occupational therapy practitioners to aid veterans in community reintegration are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Science and Technology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, PO Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA. bertrahl@uwm.edu
authors.forename: Heidi Lynn
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Plach
authors.forename: Carol Haertlein
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Sells
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002170:Canada; D003863:Depression / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009790:Occupations; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult