Reference:
Whiteman, S. D., Barry, A. E., Mroczek, D. K., & MacDermid Wadsworth, S. (2013). The development and implications of peer emotional support for student service members/veterans and civilian college students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(2), 265-278.
Summary:
Student service members and veterans represent a growing population on college campuses. Despite this growth, research into their issues is almost nonexistent, and what is available suggests that student service members/veterans may have trouble connecting with their civilian counterparts and be at risk for social isolation. This article compares the development and implications of emotional support from peers and revealed that student service members/veterans reported less emotional support from their peers compared with their civilian counterparts. Although, increasing peer emotional support was generally related to better academic and mental health outcomes for both groups, the links between emotional support and mental health were stronger for civilian students. The research suggested that mental health practitioners, particularly those on college campuses, should be prepared to deal with veteran-specific experiences that occur before and during college.