ArticlePloS one2022
Ex-military personnel's experiences of loneliness and social isolation from discharge, through transition, to the present day.
Article in PloS one, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
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- Pooled it
- Serving by choice: Motivations and determinants of voluntary military reservism in Spain.PloS one · 2026Article
- Severity profiles of depression, anxiety, and stress among non-commissioned officers in the Ghana armed forces: a cross-sectional study at Burma camp.BMC psychiatry · 2025Article
- What Is Social Connection in the Context of Human Need: An Interdisciplinary Literature Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2025Review
- "My Scar": Posttraumatic Loneliness as a Source of Pain and Resource for Coping.Qualitative health research · 2024Article
- A digital self-help tool to promote mental well-being for Ukrainians affected by war - Assessing predictors of stress.Neuroscience applied · 2024Article
- Loneliness among UK Veterans: Associations with quality of life, alcohol misuse, and perceptions of partner drinking.Journal of military, veteran and family health · 2023Article
- Metabolic and quality of life effects of growth hormone replacement in patients with TBI and AGHD: A pilot study.Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society · 2023Observational
- Staff and Veteran Perspectives on Residential Treatment Programs' Responses to COVID-19: A Qualitative Study Guided by the WHO's After Action Review Framework.Community mental health journal · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesThis study aimed to examine the unique factors of loneliness and social isolation within the ex-military population from discharge, through transition, to the present day.
designA qualitative, Phenomenological approach was adopted.
methodsIn-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with 11 participants who had all served in the British Armed Forces and represented all three military services (Royal Navy; Army; Royal Air Force). Reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the data.
resultsThree themes were generated-a sense of loss; difficulty in connecting in civilian life; and seeking out familiarity. The findings of this study were examined through the lenses of the Social Needs Approach and the Cognitive Discrepancy Model.
conclusionsIndividuals developed close bonds in the military through meaningful and prolonged contact, reducing feelings of loneliness and social isolation during their time in service. The sense of belonging was key to social connection, but transition out of the military severed existing relationships, and a lack of belonging hindered the development of relationships within the civilian community. This study has implications for service provision relating to ex-military personnel and future service leavers.
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