Veterans Adjustment to College: Construction and Validation of a Scale

The adjustment of veterans to college is a transition period which involves individual, social, and environmental facets. This article reports on the construction and validation of the Veterans Adjustment to College (VAC) scale. This scale was developed to assist student affairs and veteran-serving professionals in understanding how their veterans are adjusting to the college environment. The data were collected from 391 student veterans from three four-year colleges through an internet survey. In addition to the VAC scale, PTSD, depression, and student stress instruments were also included in the survey. Findings from the bi-variate correlation revealed a moderately strong and negative correlation between the VAC scale and PTSD (-.53), depression (-.37), and student stress (-.44). The construct validation through exploratory factor analysis identified a three-factor model: belonging, social support and student stress. These factors point to some of the determinants of adjustment of veterans to college. Implications for use of the VAC scale in the college setting are also discussed.