Ex-Armed Forces Veterans Experiences of Therapy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How do Ex-Armed Forces Veterans Experience Psychological Therapy? A qualitative interview study
IRAS ID
289177
Contact name
Alan Taylor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Glasgow Caledonian University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
How do Ex-Armed Forces Veterans Experience Psychological Therapy?
Much research has been done into how people have experienced therapy, but an under-researched area is how veterans experience psychological therapy from their perspectives. The Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) “Call to mind: United Kingdom” (2017) claims that veterans identify with a military mindset and having a distinct culture which influences their health needs. Although veterans cannot be viewed as a homogenous group, FiMT emphasises that this culture must be met with understanding and sensitivity. It seems likely that, although there will be intersections between how veterans and non-veterans experience therapy, nuances of experience particular to veterans as a client group may emerge from this study. It is important to have a better understanding of veterans’ experiences. By doing so it is hoped that the study findings can enhance practitioners' knowledge in order to inform improvements to service delivery.
The theoretical framework for this study is social constructionist; it will explore how veterans use language to make sense of their experiences of therapy while accounting for contexts such as cultural life and society.
Eligibility for volunteer participants will be ex-patients of an NHS Veterans therapy service, and the study will involve a one-to-one audio recorded interview, lasting up to one hour. Due to Covid, the interviews will be conducted remotely, either by phone or online video (or face-to-face if restrictions are lifted).
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0245
Date of REC Opinion
12 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion