Abstract
Background: The military-to-civilian transition can be a challenging period for many service members; however, recent research suggests that female ex-service personnel (veterans) confront additional complexities during reintegration into civilian life. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesise findings across qualitative studies exploring the impact of gender on this transition process.Methods: Peer-reviewed literature was drawn from a multi-database search, limited to qualitative studies. The studies included either female veterans or both male and female veterans aged 18 years or older who had previously served in the Armed Forces within the Five Eyes (FVEY) countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States). We used a Framework Analysis approach to guide the synthesis of the qualitative data. An assessment of study quality was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Qualitative Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Studies. The study protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework (osf.io/5stuj).Results: In total, 10,113 articles were screened after the removal of duplicates, 161 underwent full-text review, with 19 meeting the eligibility criteria. The review identified twelve themes split across individual's experience whilst serving and after transitioning out of the military service. Both male and female veterans discussed a period of acculturation when they joined service and adapted to military norms, culture and identity. Female veterans faced additional challenges at this stage centred on the conflict between feminine norms and the military masculine ideal. Upon leaving service both male and female veterans experienced a loss of military identity and purpose, and dissonance with civilian norms illustrating a military-civilian divide. For female veterans, adjustments and adaptations learned in the military clashed with civilian feminine norms and stereotypically male veteran culture. Female veterans also struggled with the legacies of gender inequality, discrimination, and sexual assault which affected their development of a female veteran identity and affected the provision of services designed to meet their needs as a female. Despite these challenges, female veterans expressed pride in their service and accomplishments. Conclusions: Any effort to improve the military-to-civilian transition should take account of the legacy of gender discrimination, especially within the military service, and the potential mismatch between historical civilian female norms and the more traditionally masculine norms of military life.Disclosures: This project was supported by a grant from the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) 2202. Full ethical clearance was granted by the Health Faculties Research Ethics Subcommittee, King's College London. Project Reference: HR/DP-22/23-33303.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Clinical Protocols
https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/PHY46
Funding Statement
This study was funded by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) grant number: FiMT/2202Formal grant holders are Sharon Stevelink, Nicola Fear, Bethany Croak, and Neil Greenberg.
Author Declarations
I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.
Yes
The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:
The study was a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature drawn from a multi-database search including Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Pubmed, Global Health, Web of Science, and EBSCO. The search terms and search strategy can be provided to any individual for replication on request.
I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.
Yes
I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).
Yes
I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.
Yes
Footnotes
As the peer reviewed studies around the military to civilian transition are expanding rapidly, we updated our systematic review to include peer reviewed studies up to February 2024.
Data Availability
All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the author.Smith, A. (2023, November 30). A Systematic Review of Military to Civilian Transition: the Role of Gender. Retrieved from osf.io/5stuj
