Reference:
Whiteman, S., & Barry, A. (2011). A comparative analysis of student service member/veteran and civilian student drinking motives. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 48, 297-313. doi: 10.2202/1949-6605.6322
Summary:
Reports of the health of military personnel serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom are quite alarming. Compared to their health status before-deployment, U.S. service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan exhibit increased risk of hospitalization after deployment. This article examined the drinking motivations of student service members/military veterans and civilian college students, and revealed no differences between military affiliated and civilian students in alcohol motivations. However, there were differences between alcohol motives and problems drinking, such as coping motivations for student service members/veterans but not civilian students.