Date

6-17-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Brian Kelley

Keywords

trauma, veterans, mental health, PTSD, physical health, care, holistic

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

The study used a mixed-methods approach to examine the multidimensional effects on U.S. veterans' physical, mental, and spiritual health. Two surveys gathered quantitative data from 100 veterans. The surveys included elements of the Life Events Checklist, PTSD screenings, physical health conditions common in the veteran community, and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale. The surveys used five-point Likert scales. Quantitative data were analyzed in SPSS using correlation and regression analyses. Qualitative data comprised 10 semi-structured interviews with 10 of the 100 veteran participants. Interviews were transcribed, and ATLAS.ti was used to conduct a thematic analysis from which themes were extracted. Results showed a significant positive correlation between a veteran’s physical health and their PTSD symptoms. Regression models indicated that greater trauma exposure and poorer mental health predicted increased physical health symptoms (p < .05). The results also showed that veterans with higher mental health conditions reported more physical health conditions, including cardiovascular conditions and chronic pain. Veterans who scored high on the Spiritual Well-Being Scale showed greater resilience in subgroup analyses and correlations. Four main themes were generated from the thematic analysis: (C 1) Pain, (C 2) Trust, (C 3) Trauma, and (C 4) Service. The interview data presented common triggers of a veteran's traumatic experiences, trust and frustration with leadership, responses to misconduct, and pain due to service injury. Implications highlighted the need for further interdisciplinary, integrated care models that address both physical and psychological impacts. Inclusion of spiritual resources in treatment planning should be used in coordination with trauma-focused therapies (e.g., CBT, EMDR) and medication to help assist veterans holistically. The study concluded that trauma’s impact on a veteran’s physical and mental health has severe consequences. The qualitative and quantitative data informed how policy changes, improved care, clinical interventions, and further research can holistically improve a veteran's health.

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