Military to civilian retirement transition: Moderated mediation model of dispositional factors, transition difficulty, and well-being

Abstract: This study investigated how prior career experiences imprint on individuals' behaviors, particularly in military contexts, shaping their transition into civilian life upon retirement. Resistance to change, one's tendency to resist or avoid making changes, and personal sense of power, one's perception of their ability to influence people and resources, often become by-products of military institutionalization, influencing military-to-civilian retirement transition and well-being. A moderated mediation model was proposed wherein personal sense of power would moderate the indirect relationship between resistance to change and well-being, mediated by transition difficulty. The sample was comprised of retired Indian Army personnel (N = 256). Confirmatory factor analysis validated the scales culturally, and Hayes' PROCESS Macro was used to test moderated mediation. Findings reveal that resistance to change and transition difficulty negatively affect well-being. Moreover, transition difficulty partially mediates the relationship between resistance to change and well-being. Notably, personal sense of power moderates this mediation, acting as a buffer. The study underscores the significance of organization-relevant dispositional factors in comprehending the challenges of military retirement and their implications for overall well-being. The study provides recommendations for addressing dispositions such as resistance to change and personal sense of power through interventions like preretirement counseling, scenario-based exercises, growth mindset training, and confidence-building workshops to help veterans navigate transitions more effectively.

Read the full article
Report a problem with this article

Related articles

  • More for Researchers

    Reintegration and decent work among United States Veterans: Impact of marginalization, social support, and career adaptability

    Abstract:United States military veterans face challenges when reintegrating into civilian society. Among these difficulties often exist barriers for veterans in navigating work and career experiences. This study tested factors that may contribute to experiences of decent work and reintegration in a sample of 90 United States veterans. Utilizing the Psychology of Working Theory as a framework, veterans' social support was hypothesized to be a moderating factor in the relationship between veterans' experiences of marginalization and decent work. Additionally, decent work was examined as a potential mediator in the association between veterans' career adaptability and reintegration. Separate moderation and mediation models were tested to examine the study's hypotheses. Results did not find social support to moderate the relationship between marginalization and decent work. However, decent work significantly and partially mediated the relationship between career adaptability and reintegration. Interpretation of these findings in the context of the literature is discussed, as well as implications for practice and theory, limitations, and future directions.