Date of Conferral

12-5-2025

Date of Award

December 2025

Degree

Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

School

Social Work

Advisor

Yvonne Chase

Abstract

There was a social work practice gap on the perceptions of veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) regarding the Veterans Administration's (VA’s) rehabilitation process in terms of its ability to enhance their vocational skills and employability. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the vocational and employment needs of military veterans with TBI and to understand their perceptions and challenges in navigating the vocational rehabilitation and employment process. Using a generic qualitative approach and ecological systems theory, data were collected through semistructured interviews with seven veterans who had participated in rehabilitation programs. Thematic analysis of the data revealed seven central themes: (a) lateness and inconsistency of rehabilitation services, (b) centrality of family and peer support systems, (c) fragmentation in case management and coordination of care, (d) strengths of specialized military and VA rehabilitation programs, (e) military cultural norms as barriers to recovery, (f) resource awareness and access challenges, and (g) veteran-led recommendations for system improvement. Findings indicated that veterans’ rehabilitation experiences were shaped by both systemic inefficiencies and supportive interventions. Proactive case management, integration of family and peer support, enhanced access to mental health services, improved communication, and scaling of best practices from specialized programs are recommended. To promote positive social change, at the micro level, practitioners could empower individual veterans; at the mezzo level, families and communities could strengthen support systems; and at the macro level, policy reforms would help standardize case management and expand access.

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