New Zealand Military Veterans’ Perceptions on Health and Well-being: A Qualitative Study
Date
Authors
O’Regan, Margo
McBride, David
Rodda, Simone
Shepherd, Daniel
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress)
Abstract
Introduction: The study “The psychological and physical health and well-being of New Zealand contemporary Veterans” represents one of the few large population studies conducted on contemporary Veterans in New Zealand. Included in this survey was an open-ended question allowing respondents to articulate their thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the Veteran experience. Methods: Responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis framework informed by Mayring’s (2022) eight-step content analysis process. A hybrid deductive–inductive approach was used to generate sub-themes from participants’ responses, which were categorized under the World Health Organization’s four domains of well-being (psychological, social, environmental, and physical). Results: In this study, responses from 1,037 Veterans were analyzed and put into 22 sub-themes and four overarching themes. While many participants expressed positive gains due to their military service, challenges in psychological, social, environmental, and physical well-being were evident. Positive outcomes included gaining educational achievements, career skills, and personal growth and development. Challenges included issues such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, moral injury, identity confusion, internalized stigma, stereotyping, the strain of demanding work on family life, hearing loss, musculoskeletal problems, and concerns regarding toxic chemical exposure. Discussion: Veterans face challenges in all four domains of well-being. Despite encountering difficulties, there is a reluctance or social stigma associated with Veterans seeking help for their well-being concerns, compounding the challenges they face. Additionally, Veterans perceive a need for more accessible and effective support services.Description
Keywords
32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 3202 Clinical Sciences, Social Determinants of Health, 7.1 Individual care needs, 8.1 Organisation and delivery of services, Mental health, 3 Good Health and Well Being, 3202 Clinical sciences, 5201 Applied and developmental psychology, 5203 Clinical and health psychology, health, qualitative, Veterans, well-being
Source
Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, ISSN: 2368-7924 (Print); 2368-7924 (Online), University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress), 0(aop), e240087-. doi: 10.3138/jmvfh-2024-0087
Publisher's version
Rights statement
© University of Toronto Press. Open Access.