The Association Between Reintegration, Perceptions of Health and Flourishing During Transition from Military to Civilian Life Among Veterans with Invisible Injuries

Nicholas Rattray; Mindy Flanagan; Michelle Salyers; Diana Natividad; Ai-Nghia Do; Richard Frankel; Katrina Spontak; Marina Kukla

doi:10.21061/jvs.v9i1.432

The Association Between Reintegration, Perceptions of Health and Flourishing During Transition from Military to Civilian Life Among Veterans with Invisible Injuries

Volume 9 (2023): Issue 1

By: Nicholas Rattray , Mindy Flanagan, Michelle Salyers, Diana Natividad, Ai-Nghia Do, Richard Frankel , Katrina Spontak and Marina Kukla

Open Access

|Jul 2023

Abstract

Veterans with mental health or cognitive conditions who are separating from military service often face challenges transitioning to civilian life. However, questions remain about the relationship between reintegration and key psychosocial and well-being outcomes for veteran populations with invisible injuries soon after military separation. We investigated cross-sectional relationships between reintegration difficulties and health and well-being outcomes based on data from standardized measures with 75 US veterans. Reintegration difficulties were associated with low mental health functioning, lower social support, and lower flourishing. Reporting fewer perceived limitations with reintegration was positively associated with physical functioning, and higher levels of participation were positively associated with social support. Findings from this study suggest that among post-9/11 military veterans with mental health or cognitive conditions, fewer difficulties with reintegration are associated with greater social support, higher mental health-related quality of life, and lower levels of post-traumatic stress and somatic symptoms.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v9i1.432 | Journal eISSN: 2470-4768

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Language: English

Page range: 224 - 234

Submitted on: Feb 9, 2023

Accepted on: May 2, 2023

Published on: Jul 5, 2023

Published by: Virginia Tech Publishing

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

mental health,

rehabilitation,

reintegration,

post-traumatic stress disorder,

veterans

© 2023 Nicholas Rattray, Mindy Flanagan, Michelle Salyers, Diana Natividad, Ai-Nghia Do, Richard Frankel, Katrina Spontak, Marina Kukla, published by Virginia Tech Publishing
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 9 (2023): Issue 1