Prior research has examined how the post-military health and well-being of both the larger veteran population and earlier veterans differs from non-veterans.
More than 200,000 individuals leave the U.S. military service every year and understanding their transition to civilian life is an important public health issue. This study is the first to examine how the health and broader well-being of the U.S. veteran population changes in the first several years after they leave military service.
Combination of low depression, social support, and high psychological resilience play role in veterans well being
Veterans who experienced the combination of low depression, high social support, and high psychological resilience as they left military service were most likely to report high well-being a year later.
Neither demographic and military characteristics nor trauma history emerged as strong predictors of veterans well-being when considered in the context of other factors. Although most predictors were similar for women and men, depression was a stronger predictor of women s well-being.
Every year, more than 200,000 U.S. service members transition out of the military. Although most military veterans can be expected to successfully navigate this transition, a substantial number of individuals struggle to adapt to post-military life.
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(Boston) Veterans who experienced the combination of low depression, high social support and high psychological resilience as they left military service were most likely to report high well-being a year later.
Neither demographic and military characteristics nor trauma history emerged as strong predictors of veterans well-being when considered in the context of other factors. Although most predictors were similar for women and men, depression was a stronger predictor of women s well-being.
Every year, more than 200,000 U.S. service members transition out of the military. Although most military veterans can be expected to successfully navigate this transition, a substantial number of individuals struggle to adapt to post-military life.