Theses and Dissertations
Date of Award
Fall 12-10-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice
Advisor
Maria Levi-Minzi
Committee Member
Marcelo Castro
Committee Member
Grace Telesco
Keywords
Armed Forces, behavioral disorder, brutalization, classical conditioning, combat zone, combative, compartmentalization, disability, discharge, dehumanization, hazing, homelessness, lived experiences, mental health, military leadership, military transition, post-traumatic stress disorder, operant conditioning, role modeling, social determinants, stigmas, suicide, veteran, violence
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to fill the gaps on the transitional American veterans’ lived experience using their own voice. The reconstruction of an American Veteran’s identity after transitioning back into civilian life is a process with many challenges. Transitional practices often fail to help veterans to acculturate back into the civilian world. This includes the formulation of identities and associations. There is a lack of consistency in military transitional practices leading to identity loss and the formulation of mental and behavioral disorders. The aim of this study is to examine the lived experiences of veterans who have transitioned back into civilian life.
The researcher developed two qualitative instruments, a survey to gather baseline data on the participants in this study and a semi-structured interview. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analytical (IPA) approach involving a structured interview and a demographic background questionnaire with sample of 11 combat veterans. Findings from this study shed light on serious social issues and challenges veterans face when transitioning back into civilian life in order to promote social change within the Department of Defense, legislators, and the community.
An analysis of the data collected in this study illustrated that most veterans faced similar challenges in the transition process, including financial instability, difficulty assessing benefits and resources, difficulty finding meaningful relationships, and health problems. In response to the transition, participants described the process of learning new routines, roles, and social positions, managing loneliness and mental health problems, and transferring from a “culture of toughness” to one of a disabled veteran. There were several overarching themes that are worthy of their own studies.
NSUWorks Citation
MarieAnn C. Raguso. 2024. Understanding the Transitional Needs of Servicemembers to Veterans: A focus on mental, social, and behavioral health. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. (657)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd/657.
Included in
Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Cognition and Perception Commons, Cognitive Science Commons, Criminology Commons, Disability Law Commons, Disability Studies Commons, Military, War, and Peace Commons, Other Anthropology Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Other Sociology Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies Commons, Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons, Social Psychology Commons, Social Psychology and Interaction Commons