The University of Cincinnati is recruiting Veterans to complete a survey, as part of a research study aimed at better understanding the reintegration experiences of Veterans, particularly concerning employment.
Stacie Holloway, PhD with the University of Cincinnati’s psychology department, is leading the study. Holloway says very little scientific research has been conducted that explores the Veteran work experience.
“There are more Veterans entering the work force than ever before. Until recently, employment rates for those Veterans were higher than they are for the non-Veteran population. That gap has been diminished a lot, but we want to further diminish it. The timing for this study is right,” said Holloway.
Last summer, researchers partnered with the university’s Veteran services office to assemble focus groups consisting of Veterans who’d recently entered the workforce. Two themes emerged from the work of those groups: resiliency, as a factor that may improve employment outcomes, and culture shock, as in the difference in accountability between military service and civilian work.
Study administrators are currently recruiting 250 Veterans who were discharged on or after September 1, 2001, for an online survey. The survey itself will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The final data set used by researchers will not include personally identifying information and all survey responses will be kept confidential. Veterans’ input will contribute to the knowledge base of what researchers understand about the Veteran transition experience.
Holloway said she hopes the study will identify if there are interventions, in addition to programs like the Department of Defense’s transition assistance program, that need to happen before Servicemembers separate from the military. She’s hopeful that the study could provide a nuanced perspective on transition for both sides: military and employers in the private/public sector.
To find out more about the study and participate in the survey, visit the University of Cincinnati’s website.
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