Veterans Social Support Dr Elena Klaw Psych 190

Veterans & Social Support Dr. Elena Klaw Psych. 190

Discussion Question � Why do many veterans want to re-enlist once they separate from the military?

Responses Commonly Heard from Student Veterans � Sense that I should be “back there” fighting with/for my buddies � Sense that part of me is back on deployment � Nothing will ever compare… � Thinking about loss takes over everything else � People piss me off and/or disappoint me all the time � Everything feels trivial compared to military experience � Hard to trust that other people genuinely care or could understand if they have never experienced military life � Not getting the respect that was earned � The University can be a cold, overwhelming bureaucracy and the hurdles can feel pointless.

Partner Discussion Activity �Who do you talk to when it is hard to keep going? �What does that source of support do that’s helpful? �What kind of support doesn’t help?

Supporting a Veteran AVOIDING UNHEALTHY COPING FINDING SUPPORT U. Counseling Services � VA/Vet Center � Veteran Student Org. � 12 step groups � Religious organization � School clubs/projects � Volunteer work � Honor society � Communicate to partner � Reassuming family roles � Communicate to friends � Listen to others’ perspectives � Substance abuse � Risky sex � Driving too fast � Fighting � Avoidance �

Research on Social Support & PTSD � Level of social support seems to relate more to PTSD onset than to chronic course � Spouses/relatives are a source of both support and stress � Vet friends are cited as source of support with little stress � Severe PTSD does not seem to erode family support (they stick around!) � PTSD in vet often leads to vicarious trauma in partners, is linked to increased psych and health problems and poor child functioning � Can conclude: different sources of support have different benefits and risks