The Effect of the Digital Divide on the Computer Self-Efficacy and Transition Services of Selected Army Veterans

After multiple deployments, returning veterans face combat stress and difficulties associated with the transition into civilian life. The primary research question was to determine if a relationship exists between the computer self-efficacy of selected Army Gulf War veterans who have completed multiple deployments and the amount of transition training they received for reintegration into civilian careers. The theoretical framework was drawn from Hall-Sheehy's and Jain's studies of veterans' reintegration into civilian life after prolonged deployments. In this quantitative correlational study, computer self-efficacy represents the dependent variable, and the amount of transition training received by the Army Gulf War veteran represents the independent variable. Brown's Computer Self-Efficacy for Adults measurement was given to a convenience sample of 102 Army Gulf War veterans. The Pearson r was used to measure correlation between the variables. Reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha. Overall, computer self-efficacy was both reliable and positively correlated with the amount of time spent in the transition assistance program. There was also a statistically significant correlation between Internet self-efficacy and the amount of time spent in the transition-assistance program. Implications for positive social change include improving awareness regarding Army Gulf veterans' war fighter skills acquired while deployed to America's global war on terrorism that can contribute to today's employment needs. However, those skills alone may not enrich veterans opportunities for sustained employment.