Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom.
PLoS One. 2022 Jun 6;17(6):e0269678. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269678. eCollection 2022.
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.
A qualitative, Phenomenological approach was adopted.
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.
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.
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.
本研究旨在探讨退役军人从退役、过渡到现在这一过程中孤独感和社会隔离的独特因素。
采用定性、现象学方法。
对 11 名曾在英国武装部队服役的参与者进行了深入的半结构化访谈，他们代表了所有三个军种（皇家海军、陆军和皇家空军）。采用反思性主题分析对数据进行分析。
产生了三个主题——失落感；在 civilian life 中难以建立联系；以及寻求熟悉感。本研究的结果通过社会需求方法和认知差异模型进行了检验。
个体通过有意义和长期的接触在军队中建立了紧密的联系，减少了服役期间的孤独感和社会隔离感。归属感是社交联系的关键，但从军队过渡出来后，现有的关系被切断了，缺乏归属感阻碍了在 civilian 社区中建立关系。这项研究对与退役军人和未来退役军人相关的服务提供具有重要意义。
