Describing Undergraduate Student Service Member/Veteran Social Support Networks and Their Benefits: A Mixed-Method Egocentric Analysis

• In Event: College Access, Counselors, and Military-Connected Students

Abstract

Student military service members/veterans (SSM/Vs) have been one of the fastest-growing groups of nontraditional students in American higher education. While universities stand to benefit from this influx of skill and diversity, SSM/V academic experiences can be complicated by difficult military-to-civilian transitions, health challenges, and feelings of alienation on campus. With an eye towards the importance of SSM/V social support networks demonstrated in the literature, this paper explores the characteristics and perceived value of these networks using social capital theory and egocentric network analyses of survey (n=623) and interview (n=54) data. Results show strong SSM/V ties to family and friends, racially diverse connections, and the importance of bridging perspectives and role-based support that helps SSM/Vs access informational, task-oriented, and affective resources.

Authors

• Ross J. Benbow, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Xin Xie, University of Wisconsin - Madison