The Emotional Experience in Transitioning from Military Service to Civilian Life: A Scoping Review Protocol

Purpose: Transitioning out of the military is a significant life change. This scoping review maps research on veterans’ emotional experiences during the transition from military to civilian life. It identifies common challenges, the situations that shape them, and supports that may help. The review also highlights the need for early support during the first year after separation.

The guiding review question is: What emotional experiences do veterans face in transition from military to civilian life?

Methods: Following the Covidence protocol for scoping reviews, a screening of 1103 studies was conducted, and 48 studies were included in the final review.

Results: The findings highlight themes related to the common emotions experienced during the transition from military to civilian life, the situations that trigger these feelings, and the support systems that contribute to emotional well-being. Drawing from the emotional experiences identified in the literature, core emotions, emotional states, and existential states were used to describe this transition. The review identified more than 100 emotion-related terms. These terms formed six main domains and 20 emotion categories.

Discussion: Overall, emotional well-being during transition emerges as a complex, socially embedded process that requires a broader understanding and integrated support models.