Prospective Prediction of Functional Difficulties among Recently Separated Veterans

Abstract

Reports of functional problems are common among Veterans who served post-9/11 (more than 25% report functional difficulties in at least one domain). However, little prospective work has examined the risk and protective factors for functional difficulties among Veterans. In a sample of recently separated Marines, we used stepwise logistic and multiple regressions to identify predictors of functional impairment, including work-related problems, financial problems, unlawful behavior, activity limitations due to mental health symptoms, and perceived difficulty reintegrating into civilian life. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms assessed both before and after military separation significantly predicted functional difficulties across all domains except unlawful behavior. Certain outcomes, such as unlawful behavior and activity limitations due to mental health symptoms, were predicted by other or additional predictors. Although several forms of functioning were examined, the list was not exhaustive. The results highlight a number of areas where targeted interventions may facilitate the reintegration of military servicemembers into civilian life.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2014
Accession Number
ADA618146

Entities

People

  • Gerald E. Larson
  • Sonya B Norman

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afghanistan Conflict
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Demography
  • Department Of Veterans Affairs
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Health
  • Human Behavior
  • Iraqi-War
  • Medical Personnel
  • Mental Health
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Separation
  • Psychological Phenomena And Processes
  • Recreation
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.
  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.