Lived Experiences of Combat-Related Amputees: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract: This phenomenological study examines the characteristics that contribute to the development of resiliency in veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) who experienced combat-related amputations. The project comprised recorded semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 10 OIF and OEF veteran male amputees. We transcribed the interviews and analyzed the resulting data yielding six emergent themes: grief, will to live and fight, amputation adjustment issues, social support as a protective factor, coping skills, and posttraumatic growth. This study’s results contribute to the body of knowledge on resiliency, which may improve therapeutic interventions to help veterans overcome traumatic events, such as combat-related amputation.