Post‐combat adjustment: understanding transition
| Published date | 28 September 2012 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/17596591211270716 |
| Date | 28 September 2012 |
| Pages | 226-236 |
| Author | Anna Verey,Peter K. Smith |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
Post-combat adjustment: understanding
transition
Anna Verey and Peter K. Smith
Abstract
Purpose – Research into the difficulties of post-combat service personnel adjusting to civilian society
has largely focussed on quantifiable symptoms including post combat stress disorder. This paper aims
to present qualitative data on experiences of military personnel who have served in combat,
concentrating on how events in combat impacted on their subsequent transition back to the UK.
Design/methodology/approach – The authors asked participants to focus on stressful experiences in
combat and their ensuing experiences of work, family relationships, civilian society and emotional
health. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 military personnel who had returned from
active combat. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings – Six major themes were found: the importance of being part of a group – this provided
collective identity, as well as providing a context for legalised violent behaviour; shared experience –
personnel prefer to seek support from individuals with similar experiences; help-seeking – personnel
prefer to seek help from friends as opposed to professionals; professionalism and emotional
processing – the ‘ ‘macho’’ approaches in the military may prevent real help-seeking and emotional
disclosure; relationships and family – there were adjustments to be made in regard to personal
relationships; civilian society – participants found civilian society to be lacking in real challenge and
some engaged in risk-taking behaviour.
Research limitations/implications – The research is limited by the small sample, mainly with
commissioned officers.
Practical implications – It would be of benefit to service personnel if those in helping professions who
are working with them, also had experience of combat. Pre-combat training and post-combat debriefing
may assist smoother transitions. Family counselling may be of benefit for personnel and their families.
Originality/value – The research provides new and important insights into the difficulties facing
personnel returning from stressful combat situations, and how they may best be helped.
Keywords Stress, Combat, Adjustment, Counselling, Change management, Role conflict, Behaviour,
Military actions
Paper type Research paper
It is possible that military personnel returning from deployment have experienced stressful
events in combat, and there can be various interpersonal and societal challenges facing
them during their transition back to the UK. These experiences can include, but are not
limited to, an impact on relationships with family members and friends, work environments
and attitudes to civilians. Many can be considered as normative for this population, for
example risk-taking behaviours. Some research has focussed on suicidal ideation of
returning personnel. Much research in the area has been based on aspects of posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), such as insomnia, recurring dreams, avoidance, intrusive thoughts,
depression and flashbacks. Other research has focussed on the way in which perceptions of
stigma attached to mental health may hinder help-seeking. All of these can impact on
subsequent adjustment when returning to life back in the home country.
Schnurr et al. (2009) examined the impact of PTSD on quality of life of veterans who had
returned from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They found that those with PTSD symptoms
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JOURNALOF AGGRESSION,CONFLICTAND PEACE RESEARCH
j
VOL.4NO.42012,pp.226-236,QEmeraldGroup Publi shing Limited, ISSN 1759-6599 DOI10 .1108/17596591211270716
Anna Verey and
Peter K. Smith are based
in the Department of
Psychology, Goldsmiths,
University of London,
London, UK.
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