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Mothers’ experiences of their sons’ appearance-altering combat injuries: Distressed and unsupported

APA Citation:

Keeling, M., Williams, V. S., Harcourt, D., Kiff, J., & Williamson, H. (2023). Mothers’ experiences of their sons’ appearancealtering combat injuries: Distressed and unsupported. Military Behavioral Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2023.2293896

Abstract Created by REACH:

The effects of appearance-altering injuries sustained in combat may extend to family members of injured Veterans. This study explored the experiences of 6 mothers whose sons were British Armed Forces Veterans with permanent appearance-altering injuries. In semistructured interviews, mothers were asked about their adjustment to their sons’ appearance-altering injuries and related supports. 2 main themes emerged revealing the complexity of mothers’ experiences: distress over their sons’ appearance-altering injury and the feeling that they could not express their distress.

Focus:

Mental health
Physical health
Parents
Veterans

Branch of Service:

International Military

Military Affiliation:

Veteran

Subject Affiliation:

Parent of a service member or veteran

Population:

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)

Methodology:

Cross-Sectional Study
Qualitative Study

Authors:

Keeling, M., Williams, V. S., Harcourt, D., Kiff, J., Williamson, H.

Abstract:

Emerging evidence indicates that combat injuries that change appearance, such as limb loss and physical scarring, can impact psychosocial wellbeing of injured military veterans. Parents of young children with a visibly different appearance may experience emotional distress and consequently have their own support needs, but less is known about the experiences of the parents of veterans with appearance-altering combat injuries. Using a qualitative individual interview design, this study aimed to understand the experiences and support needs of parents of military veterans who sustained appearance-altering combat injuries. Reflexive Thematic Analysis of interviews with six mothers identified two main themes “The distress of my son’s appearance-altering injury” and “I can’t express my distress”. The themes represent the emotional distress, guilt, and social difficulties experienced by the mothers following their sons’ appearance-altering injury, their experience of feeling they should supress their feelings of distress, the limited available support, and barriers to accessing support. This study highlights how the mothers of combat-injured veterans are often overlooked and provides emerging evidence that adjusting to a son’s changed appearance following combat-injury can create additional challenges for mothers, who could benefit from specific support.

Publication Type:

Article
REACH Publication

Keywords:

parents of service members, mothers, combat injuries

View Research Summary:

REACH Publication Type:

Research Summary

REACH Newsletter:

  May 2024

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