Faculty Perceptions of Combat-Related PTSD and Teaching Post 9/11 Student-Veterans

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine faculty members’ perceptions of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and student veterans. We surveyed 596 faculty members from 28 institutions of higher education regarding their views on PTSD as a disorder, whether PTSD can be effectively treated, and their preparedness to teach student veterans. Results indicate that faculty members do perceive PTSD to be a real disorder confronting student veterans; however, statistically significant results indicate that many faculty members do not consider PTSD to be treatable, nor do they feel prepared to work with these returning students. These results suggest a need for faculty education about PTSD as it relates to this population of students who are veterans of post 9/11 war conflicts.

Student Veteran Transitions from Combat to College

“…Recent findings illustrate the challenges student veterans face when attempting to establish and negotiate their identity role as a college student (Rumann & Hamrick, 2010). Recent studies on student veterans (Bagby, Barnard-Brak, Sulak, & Walter, 2012;DiRamio, Ackerman, & Mitchell, 2008;Rumann & Hamrick, 2010) have used an adult transition model developed by Goodman, Schlossberg, and Anderson (2006) as the theoretical framework for their research. In this model, transition is defined as "any event that results in changed relationships, routines, assumptions and roles" that culminates in an impactful event in the individual's life (p.33).…”