The Challenges of Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans' Transition from Military to Civilian Life and Approaches to Reconnection

Course overview

In addition to possible exposure to traumatic events (e.g., combat), service members typically experience repeated disruption of social connections because of the frequency of their deployments. These disrupted connections, and accompanying changes to the individual and home environments during separation, may lead to a difficult homecoming transition. Such difficult transitions have been well documented in the literature. Less studied are interventions aimed at improving this transitional process. This study focuses on the three prevalent themes associated with the transition process and possible interventions to help support veterans reconnecting upon return from deployment.