Military-Civilian Identity as a Moderator: Social Support and Moral Injury During Veteran Transition
Abstract (300 words maximum)
No one leaves service the same person they were when they separated. Military service often cultivates positive outcomes such as general resilience, a disciplined work ethic, the ability to create strong social connections, and leadership capabilities, all beneficial qualities upon separation from the military. For veterans, leaving the military isn’t just a career change; it’s a full identity shift. The support they receive during this transition can be the difference between feeling isolated or feeling understood. But does military identity change how veterans experience and use this support, especially for those carrying the weight of moral injury (i.e., psychological trauma resulting from perpetuating, witnessing, or failing to prevent actions that transgress against their moral beliefs)? Our study looks at how military identity shapes the power of social support in helping veterans adjust to civilian life. The methodology employed a cross-sectional survey design with 200 veterans recruited via Prolific who received $7 for completing measures assessing military identity, civilian identity, healthy cognitions, self-concept clarity, social support, somatic stress, and cultural orientation. Linear regression analyses will examine relationships between identity factors and psychological outcomes. We expect Veterans with strong social support systems after leaving the military will adjust to civilian life more smoothly and experience fewer difficulties related to moral injury. In contrast, veterans who lack consistent social support will struggle more with the transition and face more significant challenges tied to moral injury. If results support the hypothesized relationships, this research will provide valuable insights into how military identity influences the efficacy of social support as a protective factor during the civilian transition, particularly for veterans experiencing a moral injury. These findings could inform the development of targeted intervention programs that strengthen identity integration while simultaneously enhancing support networks, potentially improving psychological outcomes and reducing transition-related distress among the veteran population.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Tyler Collette
Military-Civilian Identity as a Moderator: Social Support and Moral Injury During Veteran Transition
No one leaves service the same person they were when they separated. Military service often cultivates positive outcomes such as general resilience, a disciplined work ethic, the ability to create strong social connections, and leadership capabilities, all beneficial qualities upon separation from the military. For veterans, leaving the military isn’t just a career change; it’s a full identity shift. The support they receive during this transition can be the difference between feeling isolated or feeling understood. But does military identity change how veterans experience and use this support, especially for those carrying the weight of moral injury (i.e., psychological trauma resulting from perpetuating, witnessing, or failing to prevent actions that transgress against their moral beliefs)? Our study looks at how military identity shapes the power of social support in helping veterans adjust to civilian life. The methodology employed a cross-sectional survey design with 200 veterans recruited via Prolific who received $7 for completing measures assessing military identity, civilian identity, healthy cognitions, self-concept clarity, social support, somatic stress, and cultural orientation. Linear regression analyses will examine relationships between identity factors and psychological outcomes. We expect Veterans with strong social support systems after leaving the military will adjust to civilian life more smoothly and experience fewer difficulties related to moral injury. In contrast, veterans who lack consistent social support will struggle more with the transition and face more significant challenges tied to moral injury. If results support the hypothesized relationships, this research will provide valuable insights into how military identity influences the efficacy of social support as a protective factor during the civilian transition, particularly for veterans experiencing a moral injury. These findings could inform the development of targeted intervention programs that strengthen identity integration while simultaneously enhancing support networks, potentially improving psychological outcomes and reducing transition-related distress among the veteran population.