Date of Award
8-24-2024
Document Type
Doctoral Research Paper
Degree Name
Psy.D.
Organizational Unit
Graduate School of Professional Psychology
First Advisor
Kathryn Barrs
Second Advisor
Artur Poczwardowski
Third Advisor
Kenneth Rollins
Keywords
Military, Military transition, Psychological skills, Veterans
Abstract
This paper examined the topic of transition from military service to civilian life. Transition out of military service is a very significant and often time difficult process. The research continues to highlight the common challenges associated with this transition: military culture, identity, purpose and meaning, social connection, family and relationship issues, mental health and medical issues, behavioral addictions, and religion and spirituality. While the Department of Defense's (DoD) Transition Assistance Program (TAP) currently provides training primarily related to career and education goals, it fails to provide the same level of assistance related to the most commonly reported challenges. To more proactively address these concerns, this paper further proposes a psychological skills training manual that provides psychoeducation, psychological skills, resources, and referrals related to each area. Future research and dissemination includes piloting a program that investigates the manual's effectiveness in providing the necessary and appropriate tools and resources to servicemembers, veterans, and their families. It is the hope that this manual might be implemented across several domains, such as the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program (TAP), Veterans Affairs (VA), nonprofit organizations, or private practices, to more fully prepare servicemembers and veterans for life after the military.
Copyright Date
6-13-2024
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
All Rights Reserved.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Rights Holder
Meghan E. Fitzgerald
Provenance
Received from author
File Format
application/pdf
Language
English (eng)
Extent
129 pgs
File Size
5.6 MB
Recommended Citation
Fitzgerald, Meghan E., "The Transition from Military to Civilian Life: A Proposed Military Transition Psychological Skills Training Manual" (2024). Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects. 529.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/capstone_masters/529
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Military and Veterans Studies Commons, Social Psychology Commons