Abstract/Description/Artist Statement
Veterans’ reintegration into civilian society often involves recurring problems, particularly within workplaces. More specifically, 40% of veterans report that transitioning into civilian life is much harder than expected, and 80% report that other non-veterans do not understand their problems. Recent work also finds that veterans report feeling more existentially isolated (i.e., the perception that other people do not understand their experiences or worldview) than non-veterans, which may underly these issues with effective reintegration. In this longitudinal study, we examine whether reducing these feelings of existential isolation through “I-sharing” (i.e., the perception of sharing a subjective experience with another person) in the workplace can improve veterans’ transition into civilian life and workforce. We will recruit military veterans from the Norfolk area who are within the first two years of exiting the military and are currently employed. Participants will first complete baseline surveys assessing their mental well-being and workplace satisfaction. Then, once a week for six weeks, participants will either write about an instance of I-sharing with a coworker or a more neutral experience. We will examine whether military veterans who engage in I-sharing (compared to control) report lower levels of existential isolation and, in turn, benefits to mental well-being and workplace satisfaction, both immediately and after 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments. This study will provide valuable evidence for identifying ways of removing barriers to veterans’ reintegration into civilian life, as well as provide insights into the threat existential isolation poses for personal and professional relationships.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Matthew A. Espinosa
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Email
maespino@odu.edu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Psychology
College/School Affiliation
College of Sciences
Student Level Group
Undergraduate
Presentation Type
Poster
Included in
Existential Isolation as a Barrier to Veteran Employment Satisfaction: Implications for Workplace Reintegration
Veterans’ reintegration into civilian society often involves recurring problems, particularly within workplaces. More specifically, 40% of veterans report that transitioning into civilian life is much harder than expected, and 80% report that other non-veterans do not understand their problems. Recent work also finds that veterans report feeling more existentially isolated (i.e., the perception that other people do not understand their experiences or worldview) than non-veterans, which may underly these issues with effective reintegration. In this longitudinal study, we examine whether reducing these feelings of existential isolation through “I-sharing” (i.e., the perception of sharing a subjective experience with another person) in the workplace can improve veterans’ transition into civilian life and workforce. We will recruit military veterans from the Norfolk area who are within the first two years of exiting the military and are currently employed. Participants will first complete baseline surveys assessing their mental well-being and workplace satisfaction. Then, once a week for six weeks, participants will either write about an instance of I-sharing with a coworker or a more neutral experience. We will examine whether military veterans who engage in I-sharing (compared to control) report lower levels of existential isolation and, in turn, benefits to mental well-being and workplace satisfaction, both immediately and after 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments. This study will provide valuable evidence for identifying ways of removing barriers to veterans’ reintegration into civilian life, as well as provide insights into the threat existential isolation poses for personal and professional relationships.