Confirmation of Military Identity after Exposure to Stress – Influence of Status Dimensions

Roger Lien; Hans Jakob Bøe; Rino Bandlitz Johansen

doi:10.31374/sjms.57

Confirmation of Military Identity after Exposure to Stress – Influence of Status Dimensions

Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies

Volume 4 (2021): Issue 1

By: Roger Lien, Hans Jakob Bøe and Rino Bandlitz Johansen

Open Access

|Jul 2021

Abstract

The first aim of this study of Norwegian veterans was to examine how deployment to international operations relates to a strengthening or weakening of military identities, and whether status dimensions are associated with a change in operational identity. The second aim of this study was to examine whether cohesion and employment status are associated with a change in operational identity. One hundred and ninety-nine Norwegian soldiers serving in Afghanistan completed an identity questionnaire before and after deployment, including various measurements of stressor load, cohesion, personal characteristics and mission characteristics. Mixed model analysis revealed that, as predicted, a change in the dimension operational identity, but not individualism, was associated with the status dimension threat. The analysis revealed no association between operational identity and cohesion, but found differences between temporarily and permanently employed personnel regarding level of operational identity. Possible implications of these findings are discussed, and further research is recommended.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31374/sjms.57 | Journal eISSN: 2596-3856

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Language: English

Page range: 183 - 194

Submitted on: Dec 1, 2019

Accepted on: Jun 1, 2021

Published on: Jul 19, 2021

Published by: Scandinavian Military Studies

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

Keywords:

veteran,

military identity,

meaning,

status,

employment

© 2021 Roger Lien, Hans Jakob Bøe, Rino Bandlitz Johansen, published by Scandinavian Military Studies
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 4 (2021): Issue 1