Repeated Arrests and Associated Mental Health Characteristics in U.S. Veterans: Results from a Nationally...

Military veterans experience a substantial burden of mental health and substance use disorders, and criminal justice involvement (CJI) may compound this burden. However, few population-based studies have characterized the prevalence, correlates, and mental health burden of CJI among U.S. veterans. This study examined sociodemographic, trauma-related, and psychiatric correlates of arrest history in a nationally representative sample of U.S. veterans, with particular attention to differences between veterans with single and repeated arrests. Data were analyzed from 4,069 U.S. veterans who participated in the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a nationally representative survey. The prevalence and sociodemographic, trauma-related, and psychiatric correlates of CJI were examined by comparing veterans with no arrest history, one arrest, and two or more arrests. Overall, 30.1% of veterans reported a history of arrest, including 16.7% with one arrest and 13.4% with two or more arrests. Compared with veterans with no arrest history, those with two or more arrests were more likely to be male, identify as members of racial or ethnic minority groups, be unmarried or unpartnered, have lower educational attainment and household income, and use the VA as their primary source of health care. Veterans with two or more arrests also had significantly higher rates of current drug use disorder, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts than veterans with one or no arrests. CJI is common among U.S. veterans and is associated with substantial sociodemographic disadvantage and psychiatric burden, particularly among veterans with repeated arrests. These findings underscore the importance of targeted prevention and intervention efforts for justice-involved veterans, particularly those with recurrent CJI, to address substance use, suicidality, and related psychosocial risk factors.