An exploration of the formulation of life purpose in Iraq war combat veterans struggling with PTSD

Thousands of Iraq combat veterans are currently returning home from the war. A significant percentage of these soldiers are presenting with mental-health problems, foremost of which is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a debilitating condition which has psychological and psychosocial effects. Veterans traumatized in combat often struggle with finding purpose in their war experience. Few studies have qualitatively explored the relationship between the existential aspects of life purpose and combat PTSD. This study attempted to fill this gap in the literature by utilizing qualitative analysis with semistructured interviews of 8 Iraq combat veterans selfidentified with post-traumatic stress disorder who have discovered purpose or are searching for purpose in their combat experience. The study findings revealed the existence of 6 themes which significantly influenced the veterans' search for and formulation of life purpose: (a) Psychological Effects of the Iraq War, outlined the deleterious effects on the veterans' soma and psyche of fighting an urban war; (b) Veterans' Perception of the Military, highlighted the degree to which veterans felt discarded by and disillusioned with the military after their PTSD diagnosis; (c) Before War/After War Comparison, captured the disparity between the veterans' health and enthusiasm before the war, and the devastating effects of PTSD on their lives after the war; (d) PTSD Due to the Iraq War, focused on the psychosocial effects of PTSD on the veterans' lives; (e) Religion And Spirituality, illuminated the religious/spiritual shift veterans experienced as a result of their time in combat; (f) Life Purpose, described the new relationship to life purpose veterans experienced due to their combat experience. Results may provide insight into the relevance of the healing effects of spirituality on the lives of combat veterans with PTSD. In addition, results may further our understanding of the significance and process of life purpose in combat veterans with PTSD.