Objectives: To examine the relationships between self-reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, perceived positive relations with others, self-regulation strategy use, and academic motivation among student service members/veterans (SSM/V) enrolled in postsecondary education.
Participants: SSM/V (N = 214), defined as veterans, active duty, or National Guard/Reservists of the US military, enrolled at 5 different institutions in Fall 2012.
Methods: Data were collected using an online questionnaire that included standardized measures of PTSD symptoms, perceived quality of personal relations, academic self-regulation strategy use, and academic motivation.
Results: PTSD symptoms were associated with lower self-efficacy for learning and maladaptive academic goal orientation. Additionally, PTSD symptoms were associated with lower effort regulation (ie, persistence) during academic work. Endorsement of more positive relations moderated the deleterious relationship between PTSD symptoms and maladaptive goal orientation.
Conclusion: The results suggest that postsecondary personnel adopt a social-cognitive framework to develop social, mental health, and academic supports for SSM/V with PTSD.
Keywords: military; motivation; postsecondary; posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); self-regulation; social relations.