Publication Date

2014

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Veteran-Education (Higher), Veterans-Psychology, Soldiers-Psychology, Help-seeking behavior, Masculinity, Male college students-Psychology

Abstract

This study investigates the relevancy college experience has on masculinity amongst male US military personnel (active duty and veterans) and how this 'manliness' affects help seeking behaviors. Sample. 152 active duty male US military members and male veterans. Methods. Using quantitative survey instruments that measured masculinity and help seeking behaviors, I surveyed active duty military and veterans. I ran statistical tests to determine correlative factors related to masculinity and help seeking scores between participants with college experience and those without this experience. Additionally, I drafted open response questions and ran an analysis on this data comparing it to participants' quantitative scores. I also analyzed demographics relative to the aforementioned data. Results. Masculinity proved to have a strong negative correlation with help seeking behaviors for the entire sample as well as veterans with and without college experience. Participants without college experience were shown to be more likely to access help than those who had not attended college. There was not a significant difference in masculinity scores between the two groups. Upon the preliminary findings, it is recommended that more education be provided to veterans about how masculine identities have been shown to affect help seeking behaviors. In addition, it is recommended that more research be conducted to de-stigmatize the act of veterans seeking help--especially for those transitioning in to college environments

Language

English

Comments

iii, 57 pages. Thesis (M.S.W.)-Smith College School for Social Work, 2014. Includes bibliographical references (pages 42-46)

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