Skip to main content
Have a personal or library account? Click to login
The Emotional Experience in Transitioning from Military Service to Civilian Life: A Scoping Review Protocol Cover

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

Open Access
|Oct 2026

References

  1. Ahmadi-Montecalvo, H., White, Z., Castillo, Y., Lopez, S. B., Sanders, K., & Daus, M. (2025). Examining health-related social needs and their association with stress and mental health among US Veterans using 2022 behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) data. Discover Public Health, 22(1), 353. 10.1186/s12982-025-00746-9
  2. Aggarwal, N. K. (2020). Ramifications of the va mission act of 2018 on mental health: Potential implementation challenges and solutions. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(4), 337–338. 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3883
  3. Ainspan, N. D., Penk, W., & Kearney, L. K. (2018). Psychosocial Approaches to Improving the Military-to-Civilian Transition Process. Psychological Services, 15(2), 129–134. 10.1037/ser0000259
  4. Albright, D. L., Hendricks Thomas, K., McDaniel, J., Fletcher, K. L., Godfrey, K., Bertram, J., & Angel, C. (2019). When women veterans return: The role of postsecondary education in transition in their civilian lives. Journal of American College Health, 67(5), 479–485. 10.1080/07448481.2018.1494599
  5. Albright, D. L., McCormick, W. H., Carroll, T. D., Currier, J. M., Thomas, K. H., Hamner, K., Slagel, B. A., Womack, B., Sims, B. M., & Deiss, J. (2018). Barriers and Resources for Veterans’ Post-Military Transitioning in South Alabama: A Qualitative Analysis. Traumatology, 24(3), 236–245. 10.1037/trm0000147
  6. Alruwaili, A., Khorram-Manesh, A., Ratnayake, A., Robinson, Y., & Goniewicz, K. (2023). Supporting the Frontlines: A Scoping Review Addressing the Health Challenges of Military Personnel and Veterans. Healthcare (Basel), 11(21), 2870. 10.3390/healthcare11212870
  7. Angel, C. M., Smith, B. P., Pinter, J. M., Young, B. B., Armstrong, N. J., Quinn, J. P., Brostek, D. F., Goodrich, D. E., Hoerster, K. D., & Erwin, M. S. (2018). Team Red, White & Blue: a community-based model for harnessing positive social networks to enhance enrichment outcomes in military veterans reintegrating to civilian life. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 8(4), 554–564. 10.1093/tbm/iby050
  8. Angel, C. M., Woldetsadik, M. A., Armstrong, N. J., Young, B. B., Linsner, R. K., Maury, R. V., & Pinter, J. M. (2020). The Enriched Life Scale (ELS): Development, exploratory factor analysis, and preliminary construct validity for U.S. military veteran and civilian samples. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 10(1), 278–291. 10.1093/tbm/iby109
  9. Barrett, L. F. (2017). Categories and Their Role in the Science of Emotion. Psychological Inquiry, 28(1), 20–26. 10.1080/1047840X.2017.1261581
  10. Bennett, D., Wellman, G., Mahmood, M., Freye, R., Remund, D., & Samples, P. L. (2015). Survey of Retired Military Pharmacist’s Transition to a Civilian Pharmacy Career Path. Military Medicine, 180(12), 1219–1224. 10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00531
  11. Bond, G. R., Al-Abdulmunem, M., Drake, R. E., Davis, L. L., Meyer, T., Gade, D. M., Frueh, B. C., Dickman, R. B., & Ressler, D. R. (2022). Transition from Military Service: Mental Health and Well-being Among Service Members and Veterans with Service-connected Disabilities. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 49(3), 282–298. 10.1007/s11414-021-09778-w
  12. Borowski, S., Smith, B. N., McClendon, J., & Vogt, D. (2021). Work-family conflict and subsequent depressive symptoms among war-exposed post-9/11 U.S. military Veterans. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 7(s1), 58–68. 10.3138/jmvfh-2021-0023
  13. Brunger, H., Serrato, J., & Ogden, J. (2013). “No man’s land”: The transition to civilian life. Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, 5(2), 86–100. 10.1108/17596591311313681
  14. Buzzetta, M. E., Lenz, J. G., Hayden, S. C. W., & Osborn, D. S. (2020). Student Veterans: Meaning in Life, Negative Career Thoughts, and Depression. The Career Development Quarterly, 68(4), 361–373. 10.1002/cdq.12242
  15. Castro, C. A., Kintzle, S., & Hassan, A. M. (2015). The Combat Veteran Paradox: Paradoxes and Dilemmas Encountered With Reintegrating Combat Veterans and the Agencies That Support Them. Traumatology, 21(4), 299–310. 10.1037/trm0000049
  16. Cheney, A. M., Ahmadpoor, X., Rotondi, M. B., Lane, D., & Curran, G. M. (2025). Transitioning between institutions: Social (re)location and positionality in student veteran health and well-being. Human Organization, 1–12. 10.1080/00187259.2025.2484789
  17. Cowen, A. S., & Keltner, D. (2017). Self-report captures 27 distinct categories of emotion bridged by continuous gradients. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences – PNAS, 114(38), E7900–E7909. 10.1073/pnas.1702247114
  18. DeLucia, J., & Kennedy, B. (2021). A veteran-focused art therapy program: co-research to strengthen art therapy effectiveness. International Journal of Art Therapy, 26(1–2), 8–16. 10.1080/17454832.2021.1889007
  19. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2018). The military to civilian transition 2018: A review of historical, current, and future trends. https://benefits.va.gov/TRANSITION/docs/mct-report-2018.pdf
  20. Derefinko, K. J., Hallsell, T. A., Isaacs, M. B., Colvin, L. W., Salgado Garcia, F. I., & Bursac, Z. (2019). Perceived Needs of Veterans Transitioning from the Military to Civilian Life. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 46(3), 384–398. 10.1007/s11414-018-9633-8
  21. Dexter, J. C. (2020). Human resources challenges of military to civilian employment transitions. Career Development International, 25(5), 481–500. 10.1108/CDI-02-2019-0032
  22. DiGangi, J. A., Gorka, S., Afshar, K., Babione, J. M., Schroth, C., Greenstein, J. E., Proescher, E., Dolcos, F., & Phan, K. L. (2018). Differential impact of post-deployment stress and PTSD on neural reactivity to emotional stimuli in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 96, 9–14. 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.09.019
  23. Edwards, E. R., Goldsmith, M. M., Tran, H. N., Bulanchuk, N. K., Epshteyn, G., Wrobleski, J., May, D. G., Snyder, S., Lee, A. S., Schofield, K. F., Gorman, D., Dichiara, A., & Geraci, J. C. (2023). Supporting the Nation’s Transitioning Veterans: Narrative Review of Practices and Recommendations for Psychotherapy and Counseling of Veterans Separating From Military Service. Psychological Services, 20(4), 876–888. 10.1037/ser0000701
  24. Edwards, E. R., Smith-Isabell, N., Epshteyn, G., Greene, A. L., Gorman, D., Hubay, D., Losieniecki, R., Appelt, C., Osterberg, T., Walker, M., Geraci, J., & Goodman, M. (2026). Veteran suicide thoughts and attempts during the transition from military service to civilian life: Qualitative insights. Death Studies, 50(1), 116–128. 10.1080/07481187.2024.2414283
  25. Elnitsky, C. A., Fisher, M. P., & Blevins, C. L. (2017). Military Service Member and Veteran Reintegration: A Conceptual Analysis, Unified Definition, and Key Domains. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 369. 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00369
  26. Ferruolo, D. M. (2016). Psychosocial Equine Program for Veterans. Social Work (New York), 61(1), 53–60. 10.1093/sw/swv054
  27. Fischer, E. P., Sherman, M. D., McSweeney, J. C., Pyne, J. M., Owen, R. R., & Dixon, L. B. (2015). Perspectives of Family and Veterans on Family Programs to Support Reintegration of Returning Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Psychological Services, 12(3), 187–198. 10.1037/ser0000033
  28. Geraci, J., Murray, C., Kapil-Pair, K. N., Herrera, S., Sokol, Y., Cary, J., Landa, Y., & Goodman, M. (2020). The modern-day Odysseus: How mental health providers can better reintegrate modern warriors and mitigate suicide risk. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(5), 878–895. 10.1002/jclp.22923
  29. Goodman, M., Sullivan, S. R., Spears, A. P., Dixon, L., Sokol, Y., Kapil-Pair, K. N., Galfalvy, H. C., Hazlett, E. A., & Stanley, B. (2021). An open trial of a suicide safety planning group treatment: “Project life force.” Archives of Suicide Research, 25(3), 690–703. 10.1080/13811118.2020.1746940
  30. Gurkin, C. (2019). Transitioning servicemembers: Information on military employment assistance centers (GAO-19–438R). https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-19-438r
  31. Harrod, M., Miller, E. M., Henry, J., & Zivin, K. (2017). “I’ve never been able to stay in a job”: A qualitative study of Veterans’ experiences of maintaining employment. Work (Reading, Mass.), 57(2), 259–268. 10.3233/WOR-172551
  32. Hirst, A. (2021). “Videogames Saved My Life”: Everyday Resistance and Ludic Recovery among US Military Veterans. International Political Sociology, 15(4), 482–503. 10.1093/ips/olab018
  33. Johnson, L. L., O’Connor, S. S., Kaminer, B., Gutierrez, P. M., Carney, E., Groh, B., & Jobes, D. A. (2019). Evaluation of structured assessment and mediating factors of suicide-focused group therapy for veterans recently discharged from inpatient psychiatry. Archives of Suicide Research, 23(1), 15–33. 10.1080/13811118.2017.1402722
  34. Johnson, L. L., O’Connor, S. S., Kaminer, B., Jobes, D. A., & Gutierrez, P. M. (2014). Suicide-focused group therapy for veterans. Military Behavioral Health, 2(4), 327–336. 10.1080/21635781.2014.963762
  35. Kahn, J. R., Collinge, W., & Soltysik, R. (2016). Post-9/11 Veterans and Their Partners Improve Mental Health Outcomes with a Self-directed Mobile and Web-based Wellness Training Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(9), e255. 10.2196/jmir.5800
  36. Keeling, M. (2024). Stories of transition: U.S. Veterans’ narratives of transition to civilian life and the important role of identity. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 10(4-EN), 59–67. 10.3138/jmvfh-0718-0011
  37. Kline, A., Ciccone, D. S., Falca-Dodson, M., Black, C. M., & Losonczy, M. (2011). Suicidal Ideation Among National Guard Troops Deployed to Iraq: The Association With Postdeployment Readjustment Problems. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 199(12), 914–920. 10.1097/NMD.0b013e3182392917
  38. Kukla, M., Rattray, N. A., & Salyers, M. P. (2015). Mixed methods study examining work reintegration experiences from perspectives of Veterans with mental health disorders. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 52(4), 477–490. 10.1682/JRRD.2014.11.0289
  39. Lake, K. N., & Branson, Y. (2021). Eusocial Theory of Suicide Risk: Clinical Presentations and Commentary. Clinical Psychology, 28(4), 393–397. 10.1037/cps0000041
  40. Libin, A. V., Schladen, M. M., Danford, E., Cichon, S., Bruner, D., Scholten, J., Llorente, M., Zapata, S., Dromerick, A. W., Blackman, M. R., & Magruder, K. M. (2017). Perspectives of Veterans With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Community Reintegration: Making Sense of Unplanned Separation From Service. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 87(2), 129–138. 10.1037/ort0000253
  41. Mamon, D., Scoglio, A. A. J., Calixte, R. M., Tuval-Mashiach, R., Patton, B., & Drebing, C. E. (2020). Connecting Veterans and Their Community Through Narrative: Pilot Data on a Community Strengthening Intervention. Community Mental Health Journal, 56(5), 804–813. 10.1007/s10597-019-00540-3
  42. Matthieu, M. M., Lawrence, K. A., Gould, O., & Scheinberg, A. (2018). Veterans Volunteering: An Emerging Practice and Satisfaction with a Civic Service Program for U.S. Veterans Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Best Practices in Mental Health, 14(1), 93–111. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-08775-008
  43. Meca, A., Park, H., Higgins, J., Hamrick, H., Webb, T., Davies, R., Golembiewski, L., Bravo, A. J., & Kelley, M. L. (2020). The role of United States identity in adjustment among Veterans. Military Psychology, 32(6), 408–416. 10.1080/08995605.2020.1802400
  44. Miloslavich, K., Aurora, P., Beckham, J. C., Elbogen, E. B., & Dillon, K. H. (2026). Anger Mediates the Relationship Between Changes in Alcohol Use and Violence: A Longitudinal Examination Among Iraq/Afghanistan-Era Veterans. Psychological Trauma, 18(3), 542–548. 10.1037/tra0001894
  45. Morin, R. (2011). The difficult transition from military to civilian life. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2011/12/The-Difficult-Transition-from-Military-to-Civilian-Life.pdf
  46. Morton, D. J., Mobbs, M. C., & Bonanno, G. A. (2025). Loneliness after service veteran loneliness and exclusion by veterans and nonveterans in Cyberball. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 189, 223–230. 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.06.014
  47. National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. (n.d.). Veteran homelessness. https://nchv.org/veteran-homelessness
  48. O’Connor, S. S., Johnson, L. L., Gutierrez, P. M., Singer, J., Marcum, J. K., Pierson, J. T., Brown, A., Muehler, T., Allen, C., & Jobes, D. A. (2023). Three-year follow-up of suicide prevention-focused group therapy for veterans. Psychological Services, 20(1), 66–73. 10.1037/ser0000451
  49. Olsen, S., & Jette, S. (2025). Exploring CrossFit as a Site of Transition for Wounded Veterans: A Thematic Analysis. Palaestra, 39(2), 38–44. 10.18666/PALAESTRA-2025-V39-I2-13103
  50. Orazem, R. J., Frazier, P. A., Schnurr, P. P., Oleson, H. E., Carlson, K. F., Litz, B. T., & Sayer, N. A. (2017). Identity Adjustment Among Afghanistan and Iraq War Veterans With Reintegration Difficulty. Psychological Trauma, 9(S1), 4–11. 10.1037/tra0000225
  51. Pebole, M. M., Sablone, C. A., Kenna, A., Katz, D., Hursh, C. B., Knight, A. R., & Fortier, C. B. (2026). Veterans’ Perspectives on Two Transdiagnostic Group Workshops to Improve Military to Civilian Reintegration: A Comparative Thematic Analysis. Psychological Services, 23(1), 153–162. 10.1037/ser0000918
  52. Purtle, J., Ortego, J. C., Sachini, B., Goldstein, A., Pantalone, J., & Goldman, M. (2023). Implementation of the 988 suicide & crisis lifeline: estimating state-level increases in call demand costs and financing. The Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics, 26(2), 85–95. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37357873/
  53. Raabe, J., Eckenrod, M. R., Cooper, E., & Crain, J. A. (2024). Facilitating United States Service Members’ Transition Out of the Military: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective. Journal of Career Development, 51(1), 40–59. 10.1177/08948453231198064
  54. Rattray, N. A., Natividad, D., Spontak, K., Kukla, M., Do, A.-N. L., Danson, L., Frankel, R. M., & True, G. (2023). Learning from women veterans who navigate invisible injuries, caregiving, and reintegration challenges. BMC Women’s Health, 23(1), 665. 10.1186/s12905-023-02815-0
  55. Riblet, N. B., Soncrant, C., Mills, P., & Yackel, E. E. (2023). Analysis of reported suicide safety events among veterans who received treatment through department of veterans affairs–contracted community care. Military Medicine, 188(9–10), e3173–e3181. 10.1093/milmed/usad088
  56. Rogers, M. L., Kelliher-Rabon, J., Hagan, C. R., Hirsch, J. K., & Joiner, T. E. (2017). Negative emotions in veterans relate to suicide risk through feelings of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Journal of Affective Disorders, 208(1), 15–21. 10.1016/j.jad.2016.09.038
  57. Ruiz, F., Burgo-Black, L., Hunt, S. C., Miller, M., & Spelman, J. F. (2023). A practical review of suicide among veterans: preventive and proactive measures for health care institutions and providers. Public Health Reports, 138(2), 223–231. 10.1177/00333549221085240
  58. Russell, C. A., & Russell, D. W. (2018). It’s Not Just Showing Up: How Social Identification With a Veterans Service Organization Relates to Benefit-Finding and Social Isolation Among Veterans. Psychological Services, 15(2), 154–162. 10.1037/ser0000176
  59. Saunders, R., Lim, J. H., & Harris, H. L. (2023). Bended Womanhood Bended Back: The Intersection of Race, Gender, and Culture in Women of Color Veterans and Their Transition Into Higher Education. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 16(3), 261–272. 10.1037/dhe0000242
  60. Senecal, G., McDonald, M., LaFleur, R., & Coey, C. (2021). The Formation of Antisocial Tendencies in Veterans via Combat Excitement. Peace and Conflict, 27(4), 654–657. 10.1037/pac0000566
  61. Shankle, S., Hibler, D., Caven, G., Krause-Parello, C. A., & Duffy, S. A. (2023). Transitioning from military to civilian life: The Ohio story. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 33(5), 1137–1150. 10.1002/casp.2698
  62. Shue, S., Matthias, M. S., Watson, D. P., Miller, K. K., & Munk, N. (2021). The career transition experiences of military Veterans: A qualitative study. Military Psychology, 33(6), 359–371. 10.1080/08995605.2021.1962175
  63. Silvestrini, M., & Chen, J. A. (2023). “It’s a Sign of Weakness”: Masculinity and Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Male Veterans Accessing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Care. Psychological Trauma, 15(4), 665–671. 10.1037/tra0001382
  64. Sokol, Y., Gromatsky, M., Edwards, E. R., Greene, A. L., Geraci, J. C., Harris, R. E., & Goodman, M. (2021). The deadly gap: Understanding suicide among veterans transitioning out of the military. Psychiatry Research, 300, 113875. 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113875
  65. Stanley, E. A., & Larsen, K. L. (2019). Emotion Dysregulation and Military Suicidality Since 2001: A Review of the Literature. Political Psychology, 40(1), 147–163. 10.1111/pops.12493
  66. Strombotne, K. L., Li, Y., Adams, R. S., Sadej, I. D., & Garrido, M. M. (2024). Veterans crisis line contacts after the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline rollout. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 67(2), 282–284. 10.1016/j.amepre.2024.03.009
  67. Suran, M. (2023). How the new 988 lifeline is helping millions in mental health crisis. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 330(11), 1025–1028. 10.1001/jama.2023.14440
  68. Tricco, A. C., Lillie, E., Zarin, W., O’Brien, K. K., Colquhoun, H., Levac, D., Moher, D., Peters, M. D. J., Horsley, T., Weeks, L., Hempel, S., Akl, E. A., Chang, C., McGowan, J., Stewart, L., Hartling, L., Aldcroft, A., Wilson, M. G., Garritty, C., Lewin, S., Godfrey, C. M., Macdonald, M. T., Langlois, E. V., Soares-Weiser, K., Moriarty, J., Clifford, T., Tunçalp, Ö., & Straus, S. E. (2018). PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and explanation. Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(7), 467–473. 10.7326/M18-0850
  69. U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. (2026). Veteran unemployment rates. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/latest-numbers
  70. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2023). 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2023/2023-National-Veteran-Suicide-Prevention-Annual-Report-FINAL-508.pdf
  71. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Suicide Prevention. (2026). 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: Part 1––Overview. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/data.asp
  72. Vetro-Kalseth, D., Vaudreuil, R., & Segall, L. E. (2021). Treatment description and case series report of a phased music therapy group to support Veteran reintegration. Military Psychology, 33(6), 446–452. 10.1080/08995605.2021.1962194
Language: English
Page range: 27 - 45
Submitted on: Apr 23, 2026
Accepted on: Sep 3, 2026
Published on: Oct 6, 2026
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

© 2026 Ruth Anne Kramer, published by Virginia Tech Publishing
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.