Research

Abstract

The transition from military to civilian life is a challenging time for veterans that requires more attention. During reintegration, veterans often struggle with retaining a sense of purpose. This study explores if repurposing military-specific skills in foreign humanitarian missions can enhance a veteran’s sense of purpose by assessing veterans who participated in The Next Mission program. We created a review of the literature regarding reintegration, volunteering, sense of purpose, and gaps in current reintegration treatment. Additionally, we used a mixed-methods approach by interviewing participants and using assessments to analyze how their sense of purpose changed over time. This produced both quantitative and qualitative data.

The results show that the participants’ sense of purpose increased over time and peaked during their time on the mission. The interviews relay overwhelmingly positive feedback on the effectiveness of the program for reintegration.

Data Collection and analysis

The primary outcome of the study was evaluated as follows: (1) veterans’ purpose in life were assessed and compared quantitatively via the Purpose in Life (PIL) between their reintegration period, their time in The Next Mission, and a year later and (2) qualitatively explore participants’ experiences and gain feedback on the humanitarian mission to understand the benefits of foreign volunteering for veterans using semi-structured interviews. Data Analysis Quantitative data from the PIL questionnaire were collected analyzed via descriptive statistics using Microsoft Excel. Qualitative data collected from semi-structured interviews with participants were analyzed by two authors (SN & HP) using NVivo (QSR International) software and the general inductive approach, a six-phase method of 14 thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke (2022) to understand the impact of the mission on participants’ purpose in life and life satisfaction. Interview transcripts were not reviewed by participants. Primary themes, sub-themes and quotes were identified and any discrepancies in coding were resolved by consensus.

Quantitative Results

Assessment of the impact of The Next Mission was undertaken by measuring changes

in levels of purpose in life overtime and the results are presented in Table 2. At baseline,

purpose in life scores ranged from 60.0-62.0 (M = 61.0; SD = 1.4). During the mission,

there was a notable increase with scores ranging from 90.0-93.0 (M = 91.5; SD = 5.7).

However, post-mission, the scores decreased slightly with a range of 77.0-85.0 (M = 81;

SD = 5.7). These results indicate an increase in purpose in life during the mission,

followed by a slight decline after its completion, though still above baseline levels.

Quantitative data were not tested for significance as the study sample was too small.

Discussion

Both datasets show that The Next Mission was successful in giving the study’s participants a sense of purpose. Participants reported solely positive outcomes from the program as a stark contrast to their troubles during reintegration beforehand. Findings reveal that their sense of purpose increased over time as a direct result of their experience in South Africa. The results of this study further demonstrate the need for more holistic approaches to veteran wellness by focusing on reintegration. Reintegration is an inevitable phase that all veterans face. Although many are able to move past this process relatively immediately, those who do struggle tend to be lost in the conversation as many current veteran resources and organizations mainly provide healthcare-related services. This creates a hole for struggling veterans to fall through that only accumulates as they have been left with minimal attention and support. The veterans who participated in this study did not have any major health issues, yet they still needed help with their reintegration back into civilian life. These needs were not met until The Next Mission provided an opportunity and an effective way for them to regain their

sense of purpose by applying the skills they learned in service through volunteer work.