Mental Health Symptoms Among Student Service Members/Veterans and Civilian College Students.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate if and to what extent student service members/veterans differ from civilian college students in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of poor mental health.


METHODS
The Fall 2011 implementation of the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment included 27,774 respondents from 44 colleges and universities.


METHODS
Participants were matched using propensity scores, and the prevalence of symptoms was compared using logistic regression and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models.


RESULTS
The odds of feeling overwhelmed in the last 12 months were significantly lower among student service members/veterans with a history of hazardous duty (odd ratio [OR] = 0.46, adjusted p value <.05) compared with civilian students. Military service, with and without hazardous duty deployment, was not a significant predictor of the total number of symptoms of poor mental health.


CONCLUSIONS
Current student service members/veterans may not be disproportionately affected by poor psychological functioning.
Sandi D
SD
Cleveland
Adam J
AJ
Branscum
Viktor E
VE
Bovbjerg
Sheryl
S
Thorburn
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D057566:Self Report; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
college health; mental health; propensity score; student service members; veterans