ERIC Number: ED635558
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 203
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3795-9609-5
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
You Can Get There from Here: A Phenomenological Study of Help-Seeking Behavior and Experiences of Student Military Veterans in Community College
Foster, Donivan Wallace
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Missouri - Saint Louis
This phenomenological study described the experiences of student military veterans in a community college with physical and psychological health needs. Each participant enrolled in the community college by utilizing the benefits of the post-9/11 GI Bill and transitioned from active duty to civilian life. More than 40,000 programs in the United States are designed to assist veterans transitioning to civilian life (Carter, 2013). Further, the health needs and transition experiences of military veterans have been well-documented. Numerous programs seek to reduce barriers; however, many veterans experience challenges when using the programs or services (Perkins et al., 2019; Aronson et al., 2019). Previous studies suggested that veterans reported not using services during the reintegration process for the following reasons: many felt they did not need help, had difficulty identifying a program or service that adequately met their needs, did not understand the types of programs they qualified for, and did not know where to acquire assistance (Morgan et al., 2020). Employing purposive sampling and the Moustakas (1994) method for phenomenological analysis, interviews with eight participants served as the primary data collection source. A phenomenological methodology was used to explore veterans' perceptions of the transition experience to the community college and utilizing college services through the lens of Rendon's (1994) validation theory. Six major themes emerged, including a positive view of college resources, recognizing feeling misunderstood or isolated, seeking community, a challenging enrollment process, possessing mission-driven goals, and pursuing ways to mitigate needs. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Help Seeking, Student Behavior, Student Experience, Veterans, Community College Students, Federal Legislation, Program Evaluation, Program Effectiveness
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: G I Bill
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A