Student service member and veteran transition to higher education: A scoping review

As student service members and veteran (SSM/V) enrollment increases, it is important for campuses to respond to diverse population needs. SSM/V may enter higher education with service-connected disabilities, mental health concerns, financial burdens, and social adjustment challenges. A theory-driven scoping review was conducted to investigate what is known in the literature about SSM/V transition from the military to higher education post-OEF conflict. Two additional questions were considered: 1) “To what extent and which theory components are studied in the literature?” and 2) “What measures are used in the full-text reviewed studies?” Authors conducted a search across 5 databases (Academic Search Ultimate, PubMed, ERIC, Scopus, and PsychINFO). Seventy-five eligible articles covered SSMV’s transition experiences, psychosocial factors, and environmental influences. An integrated theoretical framework using Schlossberg’s Transition Theory and Social Cognitive Career Theory guided a thematic analysis of the search results. Three overarching themes emerged: Demographic, Health, and Psychosocial Factors; Interpersonal and Institutional Supports; and Academic Transition Experiences and Outcomes. Significant insights included the importance of veteran resource centers, social support networks (e.g., faculty, civilian peers, and SSM/V peers) and the impact of psychosocial factors (e.g., self-efficacy) on transition experiences (e.g., adjustment). The authors provide practical implications and recommendations for supporting SSM/V transition from the military to higher education.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community Health

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Wilcher, Kortney

Contributors dc:contributor

• Chiu, Chung-Yi
• Lotspeich-Yadao, Michael

• Student Service Member
• Student Veteran
• Higher Education
• Transition
• Review

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Kortney Wilcher

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122266

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F122266