A schema conceptualisation of psychosocial functioning among transitioned military personnel

Abstract: BackgroundThe military to civilian transition process is often associated with a negative impact on psychosocial functioning. Contemporary approaches to understand this are moving away from focussing on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to examine the military cultural and environmental impacts of service. Schema theory can provide a useful conceptual framework for understanding these issues. The aim of this study was to explore Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) across three samples: transitioned military personnel, veterans and first responders with PTSD, and general adults.MethodThis cross-sectional research used a transitioned military sample recruited specifically for this study (N = 94) and two comparison samples of veterans and first responders diagnosed with PTSD (N = 218), and general adults (N = 264) from previous research. Participants completed a Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ). Independent t-tests were conducted to compare the three samples.ResultsTransitioned military personnel were significantly higher than the general adults on the EMS of Vulnerability to Harm, Entitlement, Emotional Inhibition, Punitiveness and Unrelenting Standards and lower on the schema of Enmeshment. Transitioned military personnel were significantly lower than the PTSD sample on 11 out of the 18 EMS.ConclusionsThe cluster of EMS evident in the transitioned military sample were conceptualised as 'The Military Mode'. This conceptual framework can be used to understand the psycho-social issues experienced by transitioned military personnel and to inform interventions to promote successful transition.

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