Loneliness and isolation in life-stories of Israeli veterans of combat and captivity.

Abstract

Loneliness holds detrimental ramifications for health and well-being. Nevertheless, loneliness references in the literature addressing combat-related trauma are few. Consequentially, the qualities and characteristics of such experiences in these posttraumatic realities remain uninvestigated empirically. In the current qualitative study we began filling this gap in the literature. We utilized thematic content analysis of life-stories of 19 combat veterans and 7 ex-POWs that have given testimony at the Israel Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War (NATAL). Our findings suggest that the loneliness in the contexts at hand is primarily characterized by a sense of experiential isolation, rather than social, emotional, or existential. This is the sensation that due to the extraordinary nature of traumatic experiences the fulfillment of needs such as empathy and intersubjectivity may be unattainable. Integrating our findings with existing interdisciplinary literature regarding social sharing, trauma, and loneliness, we discuss implications for clinical interventions and further research.

Effectiveness of Care Farming on Veterans' Life Satisfaction, Optimism, and Perceived Loneliness

“…This is a common response following traumatic events, but for combat veterans the kind of loneliness they feel as a result of their experiences may be different. Besides emotional or social isolation, veterans often feel what Stein and Tuval‐Mashiach () called experiential loneliness . They feel disconnected despite having emotional or social bonds with others, and believe that those around them do not understand or “get it.” Some veterans may see themselves living in a different world than civilians, a world marked by combat experiences so removed from civilian life that others cannot relate or accurately empathize.…”

The Social Construction of Loneliness: An Integrative Conceptualization

“…that have experienced it at all," that the discrepancy between the current and desired state of affairs is highlighted. Combining all of the elements, it may be concluded that Mickey is experiencing loneliness of failed intersubjectivity (Wood, 1986), or experiential loneliness (Stein & Tuval-Mashiach, 2014), which characterizes the perceived relationship. Moreover, in search of what might constitute Mickey's Downloaded by [University of Western Ontario] at 03:03 05 February 2015 coping strategy, we might point to the substitution of one type of other (i.e., his surrounding support systems) with another type (i.e., fellow veterans).…”

“…Our interest in loneliness arose while conducting a qualitative study into the nature of loneliness experiences of men subjected to trauma in the context of combat and captivity (Stein & Tuval-Mashiach, 2014). While delving for evidence of loneliness in the participants' life stories, it became evident that literal declarations of loneliness are practically nonexistent.…”

Traumatic Stress and Long-Term Recovery

“…As noted, ex-POWs may feel that they are no longer a part of society as this society as a people do not share their experiences (Stein & Tuval-Mashiach, 2015a). One may then feel that the society from where he was sent into battle has forsaken him.…”

“…In so doing, we may work to breech the walls of ex-POWs' experiential isolation and loneliness (Stein & Tuval-Mashiach, 2015a). This may be a point of import also for clinicians.…”