Identifying Service-Related Predictors of Community Reintegration Difficulties in Northern Irish Military Veterans

Abstract: Military-to-civilian community reintegration in Northern Irish (NI) veterans has not been previously examined. The existing reintegration studies indicate that postmilitary service life can be challenging for many veterans. The current exploratory study aimed to identify service-related predictors of community reintegration difficulties in a sample of 749 NI veterans. Data were collected through a crosssectional self-report survey of UK Armed Forces veterans residing in NI. Servicerelated variables were examined as predictors of overall and subdomain-specific reintegration difficulties. Combat exposure, time spent deployed in NI, length of service, being medically discharged, and being physically injured during service were significant predictors of reintegration difficulties. Receiving a mental health diagnosis since discharge and having been medically discharged were the two strongest predictors. Further results and implications are also discussed. Postservice adjustment to civilian life is affected by service variables, with implications for military/post-military interventions aimed at mitigating difficult transition experiences.