Self-reorganization in transition from military to civilian life: Maria’s way
Qualitative research has demonstrated that transition from military to civilian life involves narrative identity reconstruction among service members. The reformulation of narrative identities may prove to become an existential quest for service members since the questions of who I am, where I am going, and what is my place in the world need to be (re)answered by the self in a new cultural context. Thus, a reorganization of stories also corresponds to a reorganization of I-positions in the self. This article presents the case study of Lieutenant Maria, one participant derived from a larger longitudinal research project designed to explore this process of transition, and aims to demonstrate new ways of understanding self-identity work in transition through a Dialogical Self Theory approach. The analysis of the case study suggests that self-reorganization was necessary for adaptation to a civilian cultural context that shaped alternate identities. Four types of factors were observed to have major influence upon the self-identity evolution: contextual promoters, a dialogical self-attitude, meta-cognitive activities, and a group of cooperative positions in the self which could evolve in a new context and through emerging identities.
Abstract: The unique demands of military life can adversely impact romantic relationships; however, research has mainly focused on these adverse outcomes at one-time point, overlooking changes over time or potential positive outcomes. Using a subsample of 3,845 male and female military personnel and veterans from a large UK dataset, this study examined positive and negative changes in relationship satisfaction between two-time points (2007–2009; 2014–2016). Most participants reported no change in their relationship satisfaction, suggesting stability − 8% reported a positive change and 10% a negative change. Positive change was associated with being in a long-term relationship, alcohol misuse remission, and persistent alcohol misuse. Negative change was associated with the onset of mental health problems (probable PTSD, CMD, or alcohol misuse) and having children under 18. Some factors, like increasing age, childhood family relationship adversity, and mental health problems, were associated with both positive and negative changes in relationship satisfaction. This study highlights the complexity of factors associated with relationship satisfaction among military personnel and veterans, with some experiencing positive changes, as well as negative changes over time.