Journal
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA-THEORY RESEARCH PRACTICE AND POLICY
Volume 13, Issue 6, Pages 611-620Publisher
EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING FOUNDATION-AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC
DOI: 10.1037/tra0000999
Keywords
military; veterans; culture; acculturation; PTSD; trauma; mental health
Categories
Funding
- Northern California Institute for Research and Education
- Heart and Armor Foundation for Veterans Health
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This study investigated veterans' perceptions of military culture and the impact of military service on veterans' values, beliefs, and behaviors. Results showed that many veterans continue to identify with various aspects of military culture. Seven broad themes related to military culture emerged from the study, including military values, relationships, occupational habits and practices, acquired skills, communication, affiliation, and psychological health and well-being.
Objective: Attitudes and beliefs related to immersion in military culture can affect postseparation transition to the civilian setting. The etiology and complexity of these reactions are often overlooked by mental health providers, which can result in negative consequences for treatment. This qualitative study examined veterans' perceptions of military culture and the impact of military service on veterans' values, beliefs, and behaviors. The goal of this research was to identify aspects of military culture that are important for health care providers to consider as they care for veterans and to inform culturally sensitive mental health care for veterans. Method: Fifty-two military veterans completed a self-report survey and participated in semistructured focus groups. Results: Participants reported diverse military experiences, and many endorsed a high level of continuing identification with aspects of military culture. Seven broad themes related to military culture emerged from qualitative analyses: (a) military values, beliefs, and behaviors; (b) relationships; (c) occupational habits and practices; (d) acquired skills; (e) communication; (f) affiliation; and (g) psychological health and well-being. Conclusion: This thematic analysis elucidated strategies to improve mental health services for veterans, using a nuanced model that encourages providers to better distinguish aspects of cultural transition from psychopathology. Results underscored the importance of training mental health providers to ensure sensitivity to military culture.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available