Peace of mind: Promoting psychological growth and reducing the suffering of combat veterans

Harwood-Gross, Anna; Weltman, Alon; Kanat‐Maymon, Yaniv; Pat‐Horenczyk, Ruth; Brom, Danny

doi:10.1080/08995605.2022.2044119

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 38 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Interventions such as the Moral Injury Group (Cenkner et al, 2021 ) include a ceremony where veterans share their experiences with the public who recognize their service. Other interventions, such as the first author’s Peace of Mind programme, were designed prior to the widespread recognition of moral injury but include the facet of recognition (in this case by having Israeli veterans hosted by a Jewish community) as an integral part of the transition from military personnel to civilian life (Harwood-Gross et al, 2022 ). The impact of this recognition component has yet been studied, rather developed from clinical sensitivities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do you see me? The impact of perceived societal recognition on PTSD symptoms amongst Norwegian peacekeepers

Harwood-Gross,

Nordstrand,

Bøe

et al. 2024

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background : The peacekeeper role is different to that of traditional combat, however, peacekeepers, like combat soldiers, may also be exposed to high levels of dangerous and/or potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs). Objective : It was hypothesized that given the centrality of societal approval for the peacekeeping mission, in addition to the known relevance of perceived social support, perceived societal recognition would influence PTSD symptoms (PTSS) and depression. It was hypothesized that perceived societal recognition would moderate the effect of exposure to potentially traumatic events and PMIEs on psychological outcomes. Method : 8341, predominantly male, former UNIFIL peacekeepers, almost three decades following deployment, answered a survey to determine the impact of perceived social support and perceived societal recognition, on PTSS and depression symptoms. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed for PTSS and depression separately and moderation analysis was performed for perceived societal recognition. Results : Exposure to potentially traumatic events showed the greatest predictive value for PTSS and exposure to PMIEs and potentially traumatic events were equally predictive of depression symptoms. While perceived social support presented the strongest buffer for PTSS and depression symptoms following UNIFIL deployment, perceived societal recognition also significantly contributed to the prediction of both PTSS and depression symptoms. There was a weak moderation effect of perceived societal recognition on trauma type in the development of PTSS. Conclusions : Even decades following peacekeeping deployment, military experiences have a significant impact on psychological functioning. This impact is both from the types of events experienced and from the perception of social and societal support upon return home.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do you see me? The impact of perceived societal recognition on PTSD symptoms amongst Norwegian peacekeepers

Harwood-Gross,

Nordstrand,

Bøe

et al. 2024

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Soldiers usually develop close relationships with their peers with whom they serve and experience stressful and traumatic events ( Guthrie-Gower & Wilson-Menzfeld, 2022 ; Harwood-Gross et al, 2022 ). Cohesion of the military team promotes the process of making meaning for the soldier’s experiences and enhances a positive internal locus of control ( Mitchell et al, 2011 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Shared leisure activities and humor that naturally occur among soldiers can also support these feelings among veterans ( Hinojosa & Hinojosa, 2011 ). Although these “buddies” provide a meaningful supportive environment, it usually does not continue after soldiers are discharged from service ( Guthrie-Gower & Wilson-Menzfeld, 2022 ; Harwood-Gross et al, 2022 ) because each veteran usually returns to their home. Thus, discharged veterans are often deprived of their most important supportive resource.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“My Scar”: Posttraumatic Loneliness as a Source of Pain and Resource for Coping

Shorer,

Weinberg,

Koko

et al. 2024

Qual Health Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Contemporary understanding of combat trauma’s psychological effects emphasizes the interpersonal ways survivors process their experiences. Yet cases of incongruence between survivors who want to share their traumatic experience and close others who are not ready to take part in this challenging task are common. Hence, many trauma survivors are compelled to cope with the posttraumatic consequences mostly alone. The present study followed the interpretive phenomenological approach to examine the experience of loneliness, as described by 15 male combat veterans dealing with posttraumatic stress. Participants completed semistructured qualitative interviews in which they shared their knowledge regarding postservice distress, loneliness, coping, and growth. Two main themes emerged: “The Loneliness Complex,” highlighting this phenomenon’s multifaceted, layered, and cyclical nature; and “Emotional Growth after Loneliness,” presenting the positive potential of loneliness. These findings emphasize the importance of interpersonal relations in trauma survivors’ recovery process. Participants described how experiences with peers can serve as a pivotal point for coping with postservice distress and how internalization of positive interpersonal interactions seems to be a crucial psychological resource for further rehabilitation and growth. Being a multilayered and cyclical condition, loneliness might serve trauma survivors in their search of safety, while also bearing the potential to motivate them to act upon their condition and promote emotional growth. Clinicians should acknowledge the risks trauma survivors take by leaving their lonely yet safe place, as they are encouraged to process their traumatic experiences and share their inner world with others.

show abstract

Peace of mind: Promoting psychological growth and reducing the suffering of combat veterans

Cited by 2 publications

References 38 publications

How do you see me? The impact of perceived societal recognition on PTSD symptoms amongst Norwegian peacekeepers

How do you see me? The impact of perceived societal recognition on PTSD symptoms amongst Norwegian peacekeepers

“My Scar”: Posttraumatic Loneliness as a Source of Pain and Resource for Coping

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About