Women veterans after transition to civilian life: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
APA Citation:
Boros, P., & Erolin, K. S. (2021). Women veterans after transition to civilian life: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy: An International Forum, 33(4), 330–353. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952833.2021.1887639
Focus:
Veterans
Mental health
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Army
Air Force
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Qualitative study
Authors:
Boros, Paula, Erolin, Kara S.
Abstract:
Women are important contributors in the United States military yet historically struggle for equality and equity. As women’s military service increases, literature has failed to keep up with the changes which affect women service members and veterans, especially civilian life transitions. Through a feminist framework, the current study explored the experiences of four women veterans who transitioned to civilian life utilizing interpretative phenomenological analysis to analyze semi-structured interviews. Connected by gender, seven superordinate themes emerged: family support, mandatory conformity, identity, service, gender inequality, symptoms, and opportunities. The findings indicated that military life and transition negatively impacted these women veterans’ mental, physical, and social well-being. In contribution to the gap in current literature, the authors discuss implications for research, clinicians, society, and the military.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Taylor & Francis
Publication Type:
Article
Author Affiliation:
Nova Southeastern University, PB
Nova Southeastern University, KSE
Keywords:
women veterans, equity, equality, transition, civilian life