Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Connecting Veterans and Their Community Through Narrative: Pilot Data on a Community Strengthening Intervention

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Community Mental Health Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Military personnel transitioning to civilian life commonly report difficulty with establishing friendships, reconnecting with family, and a greater sense that they do not “fit in.” Personal narrative interventions have the potential to increase the community’s interest and understanding of Veterans’ experience. This study examines the impact of a narrative intervention in which Veterans used film or verbal storytelling to describe their experience of being a Veteran to civilian audiences. A total 12 Veterans participated in at least one performance, and 88 community audience members attended one of six performances of the Veterans’ narratives. Survey data indicate increase in positive attitudes towards Veterans, as well as a shift in the Veterans’ perspective of civilians as receptive and supportive. These preliminary findings suggest that narrative interventions appear to have a positive impact on civilians’ interest in Veterans and therefore, may be a valuable community reintegration intervention.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ainspan, N. D., & Penk, W. E. (Eds.). (2008). Returning wars' wounded, injured, and ill: A reference handbook. Westport, CT: Praeger Security International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ainspan, N. D., Penk, W., & Kearney, L. K. (2018). Psychosocial approaches to improving the military-to-civilian transition process. Psychological Services,15(2), 129–134. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000259.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, B. (2012, May 10). Hollywood to back effort to aid veterans’ return to civilian life. The New York Times. Retrieved March 3, 2018, from https://www.nytimes.com.

  • Blais, R. K., & Renshaw, K. D. (2013). Stigma and demographic correlates of help-seeking intentions in returning service members. Journal of Traumatic Stress,26(1), 77–85. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.21772.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Britt, T. W., Greene-Shortridge, T. M., & Castro, C. A. (2007). The stigma of mental health problems in the military. Military Medicine,172(2), 157–161. https://doi.org/10.7205/MILMED.172.2.157.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chung, A., & Slater, M. D. (2013). Reducing stigma and out-group distinctions through perspective-taking in narratives. Journal of Communication,63(5), 894–911.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corrigan, P. W. (2000). Mental health stigma as social attribution: Implications for research methods and attitude change. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice,7(1), 48–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Demers, A. (2011). When veterans return: The role of community in reintegration. Journal of Loss and Trauma,16(2), 160–179. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2010.519281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drebing, C. E., Reilly, E., Henze, K. T., Kelly, M., Russo, A., Smolinsky, J., et al. (2018). Using peer support groups to enhance community integration of veterans in transition. Psychological Services,15(2), 135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Earnest, A. (2017). Veterans storytelling held by Elmhurst Library. Retrieved March 2, 2018, from https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst.

  • Forman, E. (2018, January 1). Writers workshop allows warriors to tell their stories. The Salem News, p. 3. Retrieved from https://www.salemnews.com.

  • Glynn, S. M., Drebing, C., & Penk, W. E. (2009). Psychosocial rehabilitation. In E. B. Foa, T. M. Keane, M. Friedman, & J. A. Cohen (Eds.), Practice guidelines from the international society for traumatic stress studies (2nd ed., pp. 388–426). New York, NY: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorman, J. A., Scoglio, A. A. J., Smolinsky, J., Russo, A., & Drebing, C. E. (2018). Veteran coffee socials: A community-building strategy for enhancing community reintegration of veterans. Community Mental Health Journal,54(8), 1189–1197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-0180288-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hawke, L. D., Michalak, E. E., Maxwell, V., & Parikh, S. V. (2014). Reducing stigma toward people with bipolar disorder: Impact of a filmed theatrical intervention based on a personal narrative. International Journal of Social Psychiatry,60(8), 741–750. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764013513443.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, B. L., McGuire, F. A., Britt, T. W., & Linder, S. M. (2015). Identifying contextual influences of community reintegration among injured servicemembers. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development,52(2), 235–246. https://doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2014.08.0195.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, E. P., Corrigan, P. W., Williams, P., Canar, J., & Kubiak, M. A. (1999). Changing attitudes about schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin,25(3), 447–456. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.schbul.a033392.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hopewell, C. A., Horton, D., Ainspan, N. D., & Penk, W. E. (2012). When the warrior returns. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Junger, S. (2016). Tribe: On homecoming and belonging. New York, NY: Twelve.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keats, P., & Arvay, M. J. (2004). Looking through the mask: Transforming trauma by restorying the self through action. In: J. D. Raskin & S. K. Bridges (Eds.), Studies in meaning. New York: Pace University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, C. J., Maguen, S., Monroy, J. D., Mayott, L., & Seal, K. H. (2014). Facilitating culture centered communication between health care providers and veterans transitioning from military deployment to civilian life. Patient Education and Counseling,95(3), 414–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mamon, D., McDonald, E. C., Lambert, J. F., & Cameron, A. Y. (2017). Using storytelling to heal trauma and bridge the cultural divide between veterans and civilians. Journal of Loss and Trauma,22(8), 669–680. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2017.1382653.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matarazzo, B. B., Signoracci, G. M., Brenner, L. A., & Olson-Madden, J. H. (2016). Barriers and facilitators in providing community mental health care to returning veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury and co-occurring mental health symptoms. Community Mental Health Journal,52(2), 158–164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9926-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mass Mouth. (2019). Massmouth. Retrieved March 5, 2018, from https://www.massmouth.org/.

  • Morse, J. M. (2010). Simultaneous and sequential qualitative mixed method designs. Qualitative Inquiry, 16(6), 483–491. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800410364741.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mullet, J. H., Akerson, N. M., & Turman, A. (2013). Healing the past through story. Adult Learning,24(2), 72–78. https://doi.org/10.1177/1045159513477843.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olthof, J. (2018). Handbook of narrative psychotherapy for children, adults, and families: Theory and practice (B. Jackson & G. Sijbers Eds.). New York, NY: Routledge.

  • Perona, R. (2017, November 9). Storytelling event helps veterans share stories. Daily Herald. Retrieved March 8, 2018, from https://www.dailyherald.com/.

  • Phillips, K. M., Clark, M. E., Gironda, R. J., McGarity, S., Kerns, R. W., Elnitsky, C. A., et al. (2016). Pain and psychiatric comorbidities among two groups of Iraq and Afghanistan era Veterans. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development,53(4), 413–432. https://doi.org/10.1682/jrrd.2014.05.0126.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, R. D. (1995). Bowling alone America's declining social capital. In: L. Crothers & C. Lockhart (Eds.), Culture and politics. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quinn, A. (2008). A person-centered approach to the treatment of combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Humanistic Psychology,48(4), 458–476. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167808316247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahbek-Clemmensen, J., Archer, E. M., Barr, J., Belkin, A., Guerrero, M., Hall, C., et al. (2012). Conceptualizing the civil–military gap: A research note. Armed Forces & Society,38(4), 669–678. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X12456509.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramirez-Valles, J., Kuhns, L. M., & Manjarrez, D. (2014). Tal Como Somos/just as we are: An educational film to reduce stigma toward gay and bisexual men, transgender individuals, and persons living with HIV/AIDS. Journal of Health Communication,19(4), 478–492. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2013.821555.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sayer, N. A., Frazier, P., Orazem, R. J., Murdoch, M., Gravely, A., Carlson, K. F., et al. (2011). Military to civilian questionnaire: A measure of postdeployment community reintegration difficulty among veterans using Department of Veterans Affairs medical care. Journal of Traumatic Stress,24(6), 660–670. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.20706.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sayer, N. A., Noorbaloochi, S., Frazier, P., Carlson, K., Gravely, A., & Murdoch, M. (2010). Reintegration problems and treatment interests among Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans receiving VA medical care. Psychiatric Services,61(6), 589–597. https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.2010.61.6.589.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sherman, M. D., & Larsen, J. L. (2018). Family-focused interventions and resources for veterans and their families. Psychological Services,15(2), 146–153. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000174.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stein, J. Y., & Tuval-Mashiach, R. (2015). Loneliness and isolation in life-stories of Israeli veterans of combat and captivity. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy,7(2), 122–130. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036936.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stier, A., & Hinshaw, S. P. (2007). Explicit and implicit stigma against individuals with mental illness. Australian Psychologist,42(2), 106–117. https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.2007.42.2.106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The Moth. (2019). Retrieved March 4, 2018, from https://themoth.org/.

  • Tick, E. (2014). Warrior’s return: Restoring the soul after war. Boulder, CO: Sounds True.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuval-Mashiach, R., & Patton, B. (2015). Digital storytelling: healing for the Youtube generation of veterans. In J. L. Cohen, J. L. Johnson, & P. Orr (Eds.), Video and filmmaking as psychotherapy: Research and practice (pp. 146–162). New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, A. L., & Wahl, O. F. (2006). Evaluating the effectiveness of a consumer-provided mental health recovery education presentation. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal,30(1), 46–53. https://doi.org/10.2975/30.2006.46.53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, E., & Graham, D. P. (2016). Association of chronic pain and community integration of returning veterans with and without traumatic brain injury. The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation,31(1), E1–E12. https://doi.org/10.1097/HTR.0000000000000152.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zeelen, J., Wijbenga, H., Vintges, M., & de Jong, G. (2010). Beyond silence and rumor. Health Education,110(5), 382–398. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654281011068531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This project was supported by the VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Research Enhancement Award Program (Grant No. 1 I50 RX001873-01). The information provided in this study does not represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Daria Mamon

  2. The Social and Community Reintegration Research Program, ENRM VA Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA

    Daria Mamon, Arielle A. J. Scoglio, Rachelle M. Calixte & Charles E. Drebing

  3. Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel

    Rivka Tuval-Mashiach

  4. Patton Veterans Project, New York, USA

    Benjamin Patton

  5. One Constitution Wharf, Suite 140, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA

    Daria Mamon

Authors
  1. Daria Mamon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Arielle A. J. Scoglio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rachelle M. Calixte
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rivka Tuval-Mashiach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Benjamin Patton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Charles E. Drebing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daria Mamon.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mamon, D., Scoglio, A.A.J., Calixte, R.M. et al. Connecting Veterans and Their Community Through Narrative: Pilot Data on a Community Strengthening Intervention. Community Ment Health J 56, 804–813 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00540-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00540-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation