A symbolic interactionist perspective on the divide within the Veteran self
This article focuses a theoretical lens on the veteran self and discusses what this can mean for veterans, their loved ones, and society. Mead’s (1934) generalized other, Cooley’s (1902) looking-glass self, and James’s (1890) and Mead’s division of the self into the I and the Me are central concepts in this discussion. The article embraces a symbolic interactionist understanding, which leads to the suggestion that there is no deeper symbolic consensus between the civilian and military lifeworlds. Military symbols are not shared with and are not meaningful to civilians and therefore are not symbols at all in the civilian lifeworld. The rupture of the veteran self is due to the lack of shared symbolism with the self and civilian society at large. This creates a divide within the veteran self, which is hard to bridge. The article is written with a special address to the deployed veteran.
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.