Transitioning student veterans : an empirical analysis of college adjustment of an underserved population on campus

Abstract

This study aimed to fill a gap in the literature regarding the differences in experiences between student veterans and nonveteran students. One hundred sixty-seven nonveteran and 27 veteran undergraduate students completed the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ), which was used to compare military status (nonveteran, veteran) and sex (male, female) in relation to the SACQ subscales, as well as compare college adjustment differences between females and males overall. The results of the present study yielded significant results in that veteran students reported better social adjustment than their nonveteran peers. Additionally, females overall reported more difficulties adjusting to the social and campus climate than their male counterparts. Future research is necessary to further assess areas of difficulty and strengths among all college students, regardless of military status.