Assessing US Veterans’ work role functioning: Influences of posttraumatic stress, sense of coherence, and vocational identity

Abstract

Veterans experience numerous psychosocial difficulties following combat including employment difficulties. This study assessed the influence of sense of coherence and vocational identity on the relationship between posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and work role functioning. Results from a sample of 131 combat Veterans found significant relationships between study variables. Sense of coherence mediated the relationship between PTSS and work role functioning. An indirect relationship between PTSS and work role functioning through vocational identity was not supported. Sense of coherence did not moderate the relationship between PTSS and vocational identity. Clinical implications, limitations, and directions for future research are addressed.