Measuring Multi-Dimensional Deprivation Among US Veterans

Veterans attempt to reintegrate into civilian life, seeking to achieve goals related to economic, health, cultural, and social well-being. While many studies classify veterans as a homogenous group, both their military and reintegration experiences vary wildly by branch of service, education, combat-zone service, and other factors. This study puts the capability approach into practice by identifying which veterans experience simultaneous deprivations across multiple dimensions. Veterans that higher rates of deprivation in some area is suggestive of a barrier keeping reintegration from being realized. The 2012-2017 Current Population Survey Veterans Supplement is used to estimate a deprivation index, utilizing details of service and measuring outcomes related to disability, family income, educational attainment, and long-term unemployment. In a given year, an estimated 7% of veterans (about 60,000-70,000 veterans in terms of the population) experience two or more deprivations simultaneously. Younger veterans, Army, and those living in rural areas have higher odds of being multidimensionally deprived. Although veterans as a whole have lower rates of multidimensional deprivation than non-veterans, many groups of veterans experience higher rates of deprivation, especially in terms of disability.