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MeSH TERMS
* adaptation, psychological
* independent living
* motivation
* occupational therapy
* social participation
* veterans health
OBJECTIVE. We examined the occupational performance issues facing young U.S. veterans (aged 20-29 yr) who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Perceived challenges in occupational performance, the most common mental health and brain injuries of war, and motivations for participation in daily occupations upon return to civilian life were identified.
METHOD. Thirty young veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom were interviewed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (Law et al., 2005). They were also screened for posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, major depression, and alcohol abuse or dependency.
RESULTS. The top five occupational performance challenges were engagement in relationships, school, physical health, sleeping, and driving. The health conditions screened positive for 23%-77% of respondents.
CONCLUSION. This study identified challenges faced by today's young veterans when reintegrating into the community and daily life. Strategies for occupational therapy practitioners to aid veterans in community reintegration are discussed.
Veterans who return to civilian life after service in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) are at risk for experiencing disruptions in engagement in occupations of daily living. According to the most comprehensive study of the psychological and cognitive consequences of the wars to date, 1.64 million U.S. troops have been deployed for OIF and OEF since 2001 (Tanielian & Jaycox, 2008). Approximately one-third of these veterans will struggle with at least one of the following injuries: posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and major depression (Tanielian & Jaycox, 2008). A 2004 study of combat veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan indicated that alcohol misuse was significantly higher after deployment than before deployment (Hoge et al., 2004).
Although readjustment issues are not new to veterans, the current conflicts present unique circumstances that warrant further discussion. As of August 23, 2012, 49,214 service members had been wounded in action in OIF and OEF and 6,513 fatalities had occurred (U.S. Department of Defense, 2012). The difference between the number of wounded service members and fatalities demonstrates the impact of advancements in armor and medical treatment on survival rates of service members (Tanielian, Jaycox, Adamson, & Metscher, 2008). The large number of service members...