Title

Mental and Physical Health in Service Member and Veteran Students Who Identify as American Indians and Alaskan Natives

Department/School

Social Work

Date of this version

2021

Document Type

Article

Keywords

AI/AN, college, mental health, substance use, student veteran

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2019.1707206

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore (a) current utilization rates of university mental health services among American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) student veterans and (b) predictors of mental health service utilization among AI/AN student veterans. Participants: Data for this cross-sectional study were obtained from the American College Health Association (ACHA)’s 2011–2014 National College Health Assessment II (n = 103). Methods: University mental health service utilization rates were calculated as a percentage for AI/AN/NH student veterans. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of mental health service utilization. Results: Results showed that 14% of AI/AN/NH student veterans have used university mental health services. Predictors of mental health service utilization in this population included financial stress, lack of deployment during service, suicidal ideation, and a diagnosis of depression, model χ2 (13) = 162. 128, p < 0.001, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.130. Conclusion: This research identified gaps in service provision for AI/AN service member and veteran students on college campuses and provided possible models for intervention development.

Volume

69

Issue

7

Published in

Journal of American College Health

Citation/Other Information

Albright, D. L., Fletcher, K. L., McDaniel, J., Godfrey, K., Thomas, K. H., Tovar, M., & Bertram, J. M. (2021). Mental and physical health in service member and veteran students who identify as American Indians and Alaskan natives. Journal of American College Health, 69(7), 783-790. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2019.1707206

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