Stress, control, and connection: A comparative study of Veterans and non-Veterans across the life course

Abstract:This dissertation examines health disparities between veterans and non-veterans through the lens of sociological stress process and life course frameworks. Drawing on nationally representative data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), this dissertation investigates complex relationships between military service, psychosocial resources, and health outcomes across three empirical chapters. Chapter One examines disparities in mastery, the sense of control over one's life circumstances, finding that veterans and non-veterans exhibit distinct patterns in how social determinants shape this critical psychological resource. Chapter Two applies a life course perspective to investigate mental and physical health inequalities, revealing how childhood and adult trauma differentially influence depression and self-rated health across military status. Results demonstrate that earlier life experiences have enduring consequences that manifest differently for veterans compared to civilians. Chapter Three investigates the nuanced relationships between social support, social strain, and depression, illuminating how various sources of interpersonal connections function uniquely for veterans versus non-veterans. Collectively, this dissertation demonstrates that military service represents more than a demographic characteristic, it functions as a life course transition that fundamentally alters how individuals experience stress, develop coping resources, and maintain social connections. Veterans show distinct patterns in how psychosocial factors influence health outcomes, suggesting the need for tailored interventions that recognize these unique pathways. The findings challenge previous approaches to veteran health by highlighting the complex interplay between military socialization, life course trajectories, and social determinants of health. This dissertation contributes to understanding persistent health disparities in the veteran population while offering theoretical insights into how institutional experiences shape health across the life course.