A Participatory Exploration of Woman Veterans' Peer Support: An Analysis Guided by Ricoeur's Philosophy

Area of Science:

• Sociology of military and veteran affairs
• Qualitative health research
• Phenomenology in social sciences

Background:

• Military to civilian transition presents unique challenges for women veterans.
• Understanding their lived experiences is crucial for effective support systems.
• Previous research has not fully captured the nuances of this transition for women veterans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and understand the lived experiences of women veterans during their transition from military to civilian life.
• To identify key challenges and coping mechanisms employed by women veterans.
• To inform the development of targeted support services and interventions.

Main Methods:

• Community-based research design utilizing Ricoeur's hermeneutic phenomenology.
• Six virtual focus groups conducted with seventeen women veterans recruited from a non-profit organization.
• Data analysis through hermeneutic phenomenology, with participant validation to refine findings.

Main Results:

• Women veterans described a transition from pride to shame and service to confusion.
• Key phenomenological themes included 'screaming in silence,' 'harsh reality,' 'creating a village,' and 'taking the high road.'
• Identified triggers related to deployment and military sexual trauma were documented.

Conclusions:

• Significant obstacles exist for women veterans transitioning to civilian life, with varying degrees of impact.
• Women veterans often find their strongest support within their own community.
• Peer-to-peer support groups are essential for the well-being of women veterans.