The veteran spiritual struggle.

Kopacz, Marek S.; Connery, April L.

doi:10.1037/scp0000059

Cited by 34 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 60 publications

(62 reference statements)

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“…From the start the transition has been an existential, spiritual struggle for Erik; if the self would lose and abandon the military identity it would create emptiness, "because who am I then?" (Grimell, 2016a;Kopacz & Connery, 2015). His military I-position has been struggling for its existence throughout the transition, as the "I" of Erik's military story never really ceased to narrate deeper meaning attached to the military identity of "Me."…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Service Member's Self in Transition: A Longitudinal Case Study Analysis

Grimell¹

2016

Journal of Constructivist Psychology

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Adopting a narrative approach with a dialogical framework, a longitudinal case study is presented that describes a service member's self in transition from active service into the civilian population. An analysis and interpretation of the case study leads to the hypothesis that if a dominant military I-position appears in the self, a transition may initially create decentering movements of the self that in turn decrease integration and dialogical capacity of the self. New narrative concepts of who one is to become may take time to shape and anchor in corresponding I-position(s) of the self, and self-adaption may only reach a certain level of integration. However, the rise of a third position may unify two conflicting parts, or I-positions, of the self. This may prove to be a promising development for integration and dialogue of the self. Future research is encouraged that examines this hypothesis more broadly.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Service Member's Self in Transition: A Longitudinal Case Study Analysis

Grimell¹

2016

Journal of Constructivist Psychology

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“…Military service and particular deployments to areas of conflict likely accentuate the awareness of potential existential and moral issues which only exist on a theoretical level prior to deployment. Psychologically or sociologically tailored literature on military research and transition to civilian life often emphasize meaning-making approaches of experiences with a negative impact on a service member’s self ( Bragin, 2010 ; Kopacz & Connery, 2015 ; Larner & Blow, 2011 ; Schok, 2009 ; Schok, Kleber, Elands, & Weerts, 2008 ). Such positions suggest that some type of meaning-making processes are critical in order to reframe the meaning of experiences and instill new understanding of trauma or moral concerns so as to then go on with a life worth living.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is not uncommon that military personnel in the aftermath of service need to address different types of existential and/or moral concerns in the process of reorganization and adaptation. Such concerns may span the gamut from experiences of meaninglessness, emptiness, moral issues, to suicidal thoughts, quests for a place in the world, or to construct meaning amid trauma ( Bragin, 2010 ; Castro & Kintzle, 2014 ; Haynie & Shepherd, 2011 ; Koole, Greenberg, & Pyszczynski, 2006 ; Kopacz & Connery, 2015 ; Larner & Blow, 2011 ; Yalom, 1980 ). Dialogical tension has been used as a tool to explore military-related moral injuries via the framework of DST ( Farnsworth, 2014 ).…”

Section: Conceptualizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Making dialogue with an existential voice in transition from military to civilian life

Grimell

2017

Theory & Psychology

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Dialogical Self Theory has contributed to the endeavors to map and grid self-identity work in transition from military to civilian life throughout an empirical and longitudinal research project which focuses on existential dimensions. This article is based on a case study from this project and centers upon Sergeant Jonas, who, upon his return from deployment in Afghanistan, struggled with his transition as a new existential position was vocalized throughout the following annual interviews. This voice narrated feelings of meaninglessness, emptiness, and of having been deceived. In turn, this existential voice required an answer to a question which apparently had no answer. The meaning-making eventually evolved into an acceptance which enabled Jonas to proceed with his life. Dialogical processes between positions are important in order to go on with life amid existential concerns in the aftermath of military service since dialogicality of the self opens up a complex of dynamics of meaning-making processes, negotiations, and transformations. Based on the findings, it is suggested that the Personal Position Repertoire could potentially be strengthened by the addition of an internal existential position to its standard repertoire, at least when working with military personnel and/or veterans.

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“…Unfortunately among other participants in this project, and of course society at large, the route to the old military pathways may on the other hand have been more difficult or even utterly inaccessible due to varied reasons, which can result in sadness, anxiety, and frustration (Grimell, 2015b(Grimell, , 2016a(Grimell, , 2016b. I need to state, however, that this interpretation of the spirit embodied in a self's specific I-position rests upon a more secular existential understanding of spirituality related to self, meaning, and purpose in life, without necessarily reducing it to purely psychological or social processes (Bryan, Graham, & Roberge, 2015;Currier, Kuhlman, & Smith, 2015;Heelas, 2008;Kopacz & Connery, 2015;Rumbold, 2013).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Embodiment of the Spirit: A Case Study

Grimell¹

2017

SPC

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Adopting a longitudinal approach to exploring the psychology of the transition from military to civilian life, one case study is presented that adds a spiritual perspective to the transition process. This case study serves as an example representative from a group of participants who have been followed through a research project on identity reconstruction during the transition to civilian life. This individual, not unlike many others within the group, undergoes an unexpected progression of the military I-position of the self throughout the process of becoming a civilian. This study utilizes a dialogical approach to the identity work to further the understanding of longitudinal adjustments to the self. An analysis of the narrative developments and interactions among pre-existing and new I-positions of the self over time has been made based upon three annually conducted interviews spanning from 2014 to 2016. The results lead to the suggestion that if a military I-position of the self grows more salient and voiced throughout the process of transitioning into civilian life, then this vocalization may be related to the spirit of a person embodied in a specific I-position of the self. Such growth of a military I-position after leaving active service may gravitate around a deep sense of "who I am" with a profound sense of meaning attached to this position. Instead of perceiving as an unwanted development the growth of a military sense of "who I am," one should acknowledge it as a deeper dimension of self and life. It is important to find an outlet for such a progression of the self so as to sustain balance and dialogue. Future research is encouraged to further examine these qualitative findings.

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The veteran spiritual struggle.

Cited by 34 publications

References 60 publications

A Service Member's Self in Transition: A Longitudinal Case Study Analysis

A Service Member's Self in Transition: A Longitudinal Case Study Analysis

Making dialogue with an existential voice in transition from military to civilian life

Embodiment of the Spirit: A Case Study

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