The adaptation of soldiers to post-service life - the mediating impact of political views on the relationship between violence and adaptation

Uzi Ben-Shalom; Abira Reizer; Vincent Connelly; Itamar Rickover

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1131316

The adaptation of soldiers to post-service life - the mediating impact of political views on the relationship between violence and adaptation

Front Psychol. 2023 Aug 14:14:1131316. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1131316. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Uzi Ben-Shalom^{1

2}, Abira Reizer³, Vincent Connelly², Itamar Rickover¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.
² Department of Psychology, Health and Professional Development, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom.
³ Department of Psychology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.

Abstract

Introduction: The current research explores the association between political views, combat experiences, and the adaptation of soldiers to post-service life. Violent experiences in military service were explored as contributors to both positive and negative dimensions of adaptation, while political views served as possible mediators.

Methods: Three hundred and twenty Israeli veterans participated in the study.

Results: Political views were correlated with adaptation, especially left-to-right voting and anti-militarism. The results support the mediating role of political beliefs (left-right voting and militarism) in the relationship between combat experience and adaptation to post-service life.

Discussion: We contend that political perceptions affect adaptation through sense-making of the combat experiences and the individual processing of these experiences, and the willingness to continue in reserve service, which allows social support and recognition. In addition, they are linked to a sense of bitterness following the reduction of public participation in military and reserve service.

Keywords: adaptation; combat experience; moral injury; political (dis)engagement; veteran health.