‘He messaged me the other night and said you are my saviour’: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of intimate partners’ roles in supporting Veterans with mental health difficulties
Abstract: Introduction: The limited research base regarding Veteran welfare has emphasized the adverse psychosocial aspects of being the intimate partner of a Veteran struggling with mental health diffi culties. Despite this, previous research has identified that remaining in a romantic relationship can be a protective factor against mental health diffi culties. This study aims to explore intimate partners’ views of the role they play in supporting Veterans with mental health difficulties and the personal meanings they associate with this role. Methods: Six female partners of male Veterans were recruited using purposive sampling. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of partners of Veterans living with mental health difficulties. Results: Three superordinate themes were identifi ed: 1) the multi-faceted nature of support, 2) vicarious psychosocial consequences of the caring role, and 3) reconstruction of a Veteran’s identity after transition. Discussion: Intimate partners of Veterans described how they supported Veterans experiencing mental health difficulties, as well as detailing the challenges they faced. Future research topics are considered, and recommendations for further support for intimate partners are outlined.
Abstract: U.S. Air Force remotely piloted aircraft (USAF RPA) personnel face diverse stressors negatively affecting psychological health and military readiness. Prior research in diverse populations supports predictable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on occupational stressors, burnout, and more distal outcomes. Extending earlier studies linking broad variables (e.g., COVID-19 threat → work stress → burnout), the current study tests and refines an expanded mediation model based on multiple distinct pandemic concerns, occupational stressors, and burnout facets as antecedents of psychological distress mid-pandemic in RPA personnel (N = 496). Differential representation of demands, resources, and rewards evident across distinct occupational stressors in light of job demands/resources theory guided specification of mediated pathways. SEM analysis yielded moderate fit. Following removal of non-significant paths and addition of two interpretable direct paths, fit was improved, yielding seven dominant pandemic concern → occupational stressor → burnout → psychological distress pathways. In support of domain specification, five 'hub' variables (pandemic-driven change, personal stressors, workload, leader communication, and exhaustion) emerged as key intervention targets in mitigating distress in the USAF RPA community and similar populations during future pandemic-related crises.