Depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and grade point average among student service members and veterans

The current study examined the relationships among self-reported depression severity, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and grade point average (GPA) among student service members and veterans. The authors asked 422 student service members and veterans (72% male, 86% Caucasian, mean age = 36.29 yr) to complete an anonymous online survey that assessed self-reported GPA, depression severity, PTSD severity and frequency of academic problems (late assignments, low grades, failed exams, and skipped classes). Female respondents reported a slightly higher GPA than males (3.56 vs 3.41, respectively, p = 0.01). Depression symptoms, male sex and younger age were associated with lower GPA but not PTSD symptoms, although the interaction of depression and PTSD symptoms showed a non-significant inverse relationship with GPA. More severe depression was associated with turning in assignments late, failed exams and skipped classes. The relationship of depression with self-reported GPA was mediated by frequency of failed exams.