Leisure Time Preferences Of Student Veterans

Since the implementation of the post 9/11 GI Bill, college campuses have seen an increase in the number of student veterans on campus. This student population may have more difficulties than other students in adjusting to campus life, and often have combat-related physical and psychological injuries. Recreation activities have been shown to help improve psychological adjustment to civilian life, and possibly reduce PTSD symptoms, in the broader veteran population. The purpose of the current undergraduate honors thesis was to collect pilot data on leisure preferences of student veterans and investigate possible relationships between these preferences, PTSD symptoms, and perceived stigma. Student veteran participants filled out questionnaires about leisure time preferences, physical activity, PTSD symptomology, and stigma towards seeking psychological help. Results indicated that social and screen time activities played the biggest role in their leisure time. Of the leisure time activities, only sport participation was associated with lower PTSD symptomatology. Previous research has shown participating in sports to be beneficial for mental health, and current survey results are consistent with those findings and also further suggest that watching sports may also be beneficial for the mental health of student veterans.