Psychological Flexibility in Military Veteran Transition To Civilian Life:

Understanding Veteran Transition

For many military veterans, the shift to civilian life is not simply a logistical change but a profound psychological transition. This process—referred to as transition in the U.K. and reintegration in the U.S.—involves adapting to new roles in society, relationships, and employment. Some veterans navigate this transition smoothly, but for others, difficulties arise when their military identity and civilian roles appear incompatible.

Liles (2018), explored how psychological flexibility plays a crucial role in shaping US Veterans' transition experiences. For mental health professionals, fostering psychological flexibility in veterans may be an effective way to support them through this significant life stage.

The Role of Military Identity in Transition

Military identity is deeply ingrained through training, shared experiences, and a structured environment. While it can provide strength and a sense of belonging, it can also become a barrier to transition if veterans struggle to reconcile it with their civilian roles. Identity conflict—where an individual feels torn between their military and civilian selves—can exacerbate stress, isolation, and difficulty adjusting to work and relationships.

As therapists, it is essential to recognise how veterans perceive their military identity and how it might be influencing their current challenges. Instead of viewing military identity as something to ‘move beyond,’ professionals should guide veterans towards integrating it into a new and evolving sense of self.

Psychological Flexibility: A Key Factor in Transition

Findings from Liles’ (2018) study suggest that psychological flexibility—the ability to adapt, accept difficult emotions, and take meaningful action—strongly correlates with smoother transitions. Veterans who demonstrate higher psychological flexibility report fewer negative transition experiences and greater emotional well-being.

Core elements of psychological flexibility include:

Adaptability: The ability to shift perspectives and adjust behaviours in response to changing circumstances.
Emotional Acceptance: A willingness to experience uncomfortable thoughts and emotions rather than engaging in avoidance or suppression.
Committed Action: Taking steps aligned with personal values despite difficult emotions or uncertainty.

Why Focusing Solely on Military Identity May Be Insufficient

While acknowledging military identity is important, targeting it in isolation may not be enough to support veterans through transition. Research suggests that military identity can be associated with both positive and negative transition outcomes. Instead, interventions should prioritise the development of psychological flexibility, which allows veterans to navigate the tension between their military past and civilian future in a way that aligns with their personal values.

Clinical Approaches: Supporting Veterans Through Transition

The following recommendations are based on Liles’ (2018) study and are suggested approaches rather than definitive treatments. Clinical judgment and further research should guide their application in practice.

1. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is well-suited for veterans as it helps individuals accept difficult emotions rather than struggle against them.
Encourages veterans to identify core values and take action that aligns with them.
Useful in addressing avoidance behaviours common in veterans experiencing transition difficulties.

2. Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Supports present-moment awareness and emotional regulation.
Helps veterans develop a non-judgmental relationship with their emotions.
Can reduce distress associated with identity conflict and transition uncertainty.

3. Values-Based Goal Setting

Encourages veterans to define what is meaningful to them post-service.
Helps them set realistic and fulfilling goals based on values rather than avoidance-driven motivations.
Can be particularly effective in addressing work and relationship challenges.

A Shift in Perspective: Transition as a Cultural Adaptation

Rather than framing transition difficulties as symptoms of mental illness, Liles’ study suggests viewing them as a cultural adaptation process. This perspective helps reduce stigma and normalises the challenges veterans face. By fostering psychological flexibility and promoting identity integration, mental health professionals can empower veterans to navigate their transition more effectively.

Conclusion

Helping veterans transition to civilian life requires a nuanced, evidence-informed approach. Encouraging psychological flexibility through interventions such as ACT, mindfulness, and values-based goal setting may provide the tools veterans need to navigate this shift successfully. As therapists, recognising the complexities of military identity and transition enables us to offer more effective and tailored support.

If you work with veterans and want to explore evidence-based approaches to supporting their transition, consider incorporating psychological flexibility training into your practice.

Reference

Liles, L. A. (2018). Military identity, psychological flexibility, and reintegration experiences of post-9/11 service members and veterans (Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Santa Barbara). Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/41s821w6