This study examined self-reported cognitive symptoms in 137 military veteran college students compared to 212 civilian students. Veterans reported higher rates of PTSD and depression than civilians. A larger proportion of veterans reported worse memory and attention abilities over time compared to civilians. For both groups, a history of TBI most strongly predicted worse memory ratings, while a history of depression most strongly predicted higher anxiety ratings. The results indicate veterans experience cognitive difficulties at higher rates than civilians, likely due to higher rates of service-related conditions like TBI, PTSD, and depression.

1. Self-Reported Cognitive
Symptoms in Military
Veteran College Students
Kelly Allen

2. Introduction
• Post-9/11 GI Bill: provides educational
benefits to veterans who served on active
duty since September 11, 2001.
• The veteran population is at a higher risk for
traumatic brain injury (TBI), Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD), and depression.
• Some conditions, particularly mild TBI, are
not diagnosed or treated until long after the
injury when the person realizes they have
cognitive difficulties.

3. Introduction
ò Even mild cognitive problems can hinder learning in an
academic setting, but there is little data on the frequency
and severity of cognitive deficits in veteran college
students.
ò A better understanding of the pattern of self-reported
symptoms will help researchers and clinicians determine
the veterans who are at higher risk for cognitive and
academic difficulties.

4. Traumatic Brain Injury
ò TBI is defined as an alteration in brain function, or other
evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force.

5. Untreated and Undiagnosed
ò Military culture expectations and the emphasis placed on
American individualism.
ò Health problems could negatively impact their career, as they
will be perceived as weak or undependable.
ò If others around them have visible injuries.
ò Reporting the injury may delay their release back to the base
or home.
ò Many people do not experience symptoms immediately
following their mTBI.
ò Lack of objective and imprecise measures to diagnose.

6. Research Aims
ò How do self-reported cognitive symptoms in veteran
students compare to civilian students and how do those
symptoms relate to service-related conditions?

7. Method
ò 137 military veterans and 212 civilian students enrolled at
Arizona State University, community college, or college
preparatory programs, participated in this study.
ò The survey contained sections consisting of questions about
the participant’s demographic information, developmental
and educational history, military or work background, and
medical history (including history of depression, PTSD, and
concussion/head injuries).
ò The self-assessment questions related to their memory,
attention, and anxiety levels in academic and daily life
contexts. The entire survey contained 99 multiple choice and
short answer questions.

8. Example Questions
ò Select the statement that best describes your OVERALL
memory (your memory in your everyday life):
ò My memory is much better than other people my age.
ò My memory is somewhat better than other people my age.
ò My memory is about the same as other people my age.
ò My memory is somewhat worse than other people my age.
ò My memory is much worse than other people my age.

9. Example Questions
ò Select the statement that best describes your memory for
information taught IN CLASSES:
ò My memory for class information is much better than other students.
ò My memory for class information is somewhat better than other
students.
ò My memory for class information is about the same as other students.
ò My memory for class information is somewhat worse than other
students.
ò My memory for class information is much worse than other students

10. Example Questions
ò Please rate your OVERALL level of anxiety (anxiety
experienced in your everyday life)
ò 0 = No anxiety
ò 1 = Some anxiety
ò 2 = Moderate anxiety
ò 3 = Fairly Severe Anxiety
ò 4 = Extremely Severe Anxiety

11. Table 1: Demographic Information for
Civilian and Veteran Students

12. Table 2: Frequency of Conditions in the
Civilian and Veteran Groups

13. 8%
30%
39%
20%
3%
Civilian
Overall
Anxiety
None
Some
Moderate
Fairly
Severe
Very
Severe
9%
29%
43%
18%
1%
Veteran
Overall
Anxiety
None
Some
Moderate
Fairly
Severe
Very
Severe

14. 1%
14%
37%
38%
10%
Civilian
Overall
Memory
Much
Worse
Somewhat
Worse
The
Same
Somewhat
BeDer
Much
BeDer
9%
25%
24%
29%
13%
Veteran
Overall
Memory
Much
Worse
Somewhat
Worse
The
Same
Somewhat
BeDer
Much
BeDer

15. 0%
10%
39%41%
10%
Civilian Class Memory
Much Worse
Somewhat
Worse
The Same
Somewhat
Better
6%
17%
42%
27%
8%
Veteran Class Memory
Much Worse
Somewhat
Worse
The Same
Somewhat
Better

16. 0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Worse
No
Change
BeDer
Propor5on
Repor5ng
Reported
Memory
Changes
Civilian
Students
Veteran
Students

17. 0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Worse
No
Change
BeDer
Propor5on
Repor5ng
Reported
Anxiety
Changes
Civilian
Students
Veteran
Students

18. 0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Worse
No
Change
BeDer
Propor5on
Repor5ng
Reported
A;en5on
Changes
Civilian
Students
Veteran
Students

19. Comparisons of Self-Ratings Across Conditions for Veteran and
Civilian Groups

20. Comparisons of Self-Ratings Across Conditions for Veteran and
Civilian Groups

22. Results of Multiple Regression Analyses

23. Discussion
ò A higher proportion of veteran students reported a
history of PTSD and Depression, relative to the civilian
students.
ò The proportion of reported TBI was similar across the
groups. Memory ratings for participants with TBI were
lower than those with no TBI.
ò Relative to civilians, a larger proportion of veterans
reported their memory as being “somewhat” or “much
worse” than their peers (Veterans: 35% vs. Civilians:
15%).

24. Discussion
ò Veterans were more likely than civilians
to report negative changes in memory,
attention abilities, and anxiety level over
time.
ò For both groups, history of TBI was the
strongest predictor of Memory self-
ratings, and history of Depression was
the strongest predictor of Anxiety self-
ratings.
ò The results show that veteran college
students show higher rates of service-
related conditions and are more likely
than civilian students to report cognitive
difficulties.

25. Acknowledgments
ò I wish to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Azuma, for
mentoring me and for all her time and encouragement.
ò My sincere thank you to Karen Gallagher for taking me
on as a research assistant and her continuous
encouragement.
ò Pat Tillman Center for providing the necessary resources
for the research.
ò My family and friends for all their support.