Ex-military personnel’s experiences of loneliness and social isolation from discharge, through transition, to the present day
<h4>Objectives</h4> This study aimed to examine the unique factors of loneliness and social isolation within the ex-military population from discharge, through transition, to the present day. <h4>Design</h4> A qualitative, Phenomenological approach was adopted. <h4>Meth...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2022-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9170086/?tool=EBI |
| _version_ | 1811240321079574528 |
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| author | Suzanne Guthrie-Gower Gemma Wilson-Menzfeld |
| author_facet | Suzanne Guthrie-Gower Gemma Wilson-Menzfeld |
| author_sort | Suzanne Guthrie-Gower |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Objectives</h4> This study aimed to examine the unique factors of loneliness and social isolation within the ex-military population from discharge, through transition, to the present day. <h4>Design</h4> A qualitative, Phenomenological approach was adopted. <h4>Methods</h4> In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with 11 participants who had all served in the British Armed Forces and represented all three military services (Royal Navy; Army; Royal Air Force). Reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the data. <h4>Results</h4> Three themes were generated—a sense of loss; difficulty in connecting in civilian life; and seeking out familiarity. The findings of this study were examined through the lenses of the Social Needs Approach and the Cognitive Discrepancy Model. <h4>Conclusions</h4> Individuals developed close bonds in the military through meaningful and prolonged contact, reducing feelings of loneliness and social isolation during their time in service. The sense of belonging was key to social connection, but transition out of the military severed existing relationships, and a lack of belonging hindered the development of relationships within the civilian community. This study has implications for service provision relating to ex-military personnel and future service leavers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T13:17:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2249b45a803f47f1a125c1f8294278e4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T13:17:07Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-2249b45a803f47f1a125c1f8294278e42022-12-22T03:31:38ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-01176Ex-military personnel’s experiences of loneliness and social isolation from discharge, through transition, to the present daySuzanne Guthrie-GowerGemma Wilson-Menzfeld<h4>Objectives</h4> This study aimed to examine the unique factors of loneliness and social isolation within the ex-military population from discharge, through transition, to the present day. <h4>Design</h4> A qualitative, Phenomenological approach was adopted. <h4>Methods</h4> In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with 11 participants who had all served in the British Armed Forces and represented all three military services (Royal Navy; Army; Royal Air Force). Reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the data. <h4>Results</h4> Three themes were generated—a sense of loss; difficulty in connecting in civilian life; and seeking out familiarity. The findings of this study were examined through the lenses of the Social Needs Approach and the Cognitive Discrepancy Model. <h4>Conclusions</h4> Individuals developed close bonds in the military through meaningful and prolonged contact, reducing feelings of loneliness and social isolation during their time in service. The sense of belonging was key to social connection, but transition out of the military severed existing relationships, and a lack of belonging hindered the development of relationships within the civilian community. This study has implications for service provision relating to ex-military personnel and future service leavers.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9170086/?tool=EBI |
| spellingShingle | Suzanne Guthrie-Gower Gemma Wilson-Menzfeld Ex-military personnel’s experiences of loneliness and social isolation from discharge, through transition, to the present day PLoS ONE |
| title | Ex-military personnel’s experiences of loneliness and social isolation from discharge, through transition, to the present day |
| title_full | Ex-military personnel’s experiences of loneliness and social isolation from discharge, through transition, to the present day |
| title_fullStr | Ex-military personnel’s experiences of loneliness and social isolation from discharge, through transition, to the present day |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ex-military personnel’s experiences of loneliness and social isolation from discharge, through transition, to the present day |
| title_short | Ex-military personnel’s experiences of loneliness and social isolation from discharge, through transition, to the present day |
| title_sort | ex military personnel s experiences of loneliness and social isolation from discharge through transition to the present day |
| url | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9170086/?tool=EBI |
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