Identity & Purpose, Explore the Register of Veteran Specific Research

A strong sense of identity and purpose is central to a veteran’s wellbeing after service. Transitioning from military life often involves redefining roles, values and goals, which can be challenging without clear direction. Research shows that maintaining or rebuilding identity and finding purpose in civilian life supports mental health, resilience and social integration. Understanding these factors helps shape programs that empower veterans to discover meaningful pathways and sustain a sense of belonging.

This resource brings together available studies focused on identity and purpose. It’s designed to help researchers, policymakers and the veteran community access reliable information that supports wellbeing, recovery and systemic change.

Explore the register below on identity and purpose and if you’d like to explore another research topic, you can explore more here.

Title: Military Culture and Post-Military Transitioning Among Veterans: A Qualitative Analysis.
Author/Source: McCormick, W.H., et al., Journal of Veterans Studies, 2019.
Summary: Conducted a qualitative study involving seven focus groups with 44 U.S. veterans to explore how military culture influences post-service transition. The findings underscore the enduring influence of military culture and highlight the need for healthcare and support systems to integrate cultural understanding into veteran services to facilitate smoother transitions.

Title: Brothers and sisters in arms: A mixed-methods investigation of the roles played by military support and social identity processes in the mental health of veterans during the transition to veterancy.
Author/Source: Wakefield, J.R.H., et al., Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 2024. 34(1): p. e2756.
Summary: Examines how social identity and military support influence veterans’ mental health during the transition to civilian life. The study emphasises the importance of structured support systems that promote social reconnection and identity continuity for transitioning veterans.

Title: Reflections on recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of injured service members and veterans from a bio-psychosocial-spiritual perspective.
Author/Source: Besemann, M., et al., Canadian Journal of Surgery, 2018. 61(6 Suppl 1): p. S219-S231.
Summary: Advocates for a holistic, bio-psychosocial-spiritual model in the rehabilitation of injured service members. Key recommendations include fostering self-efficacy, enabling participation in meaningful life activities, and helping veterans find purpose and set high-level goals. The paper calls for integrated care approaches across all levels of the healthcare system to optimise recovery outcomes.

Title: Transitioning to civilian life: The importance of social group engagement and identity among Australian Defence Force veterans.
Author/Source: Barnett, A., et al., Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2022. 56(8): p. 1025-1033.
Summary: Explored how social group engagement and identity influence the wellbeing of Australian Defence Force veterans during their transition to civilian life. The study recommends using social mapping tools and linking veterans with supportive community programs to facilitate reintegration and identity reconstruction.

Title: Unveiling the Influence of Competitive Sports on the Sense of Self and Identity of Disabled Veterans: A Systematic Review and Mixed-Methods Synthesis.
Author/Source: Hendrick, A., et al., Identity, 2024. 24(3): p. 194-212.

Summary: Examines how competitive sports influence the self-identity of disabled veterans. The findings support the inclusion of sport in rehabilitation strategies to aid identity reconstruction and psychosocial recovery.

Title: Differentiation between social groups: studies in the social psychology of intergroup relations.
Author/Source: Tajfel, H., European monographs in social psychology. 1978, London ; New York: Published in cooperation with European Association of Experimental Social Psychology by Academic Press. xv, 474 p.
Summary: Explored the psychological mechanisms underpinning intergroup relations. Central to the collection is the thesis that social differentiation—rather than conformity—is a dominant force in group behaviour, fostering both innovation and conflict. The book introduces and elaborates on key concepts such as social categorization, social identity, and intergroup discrimination. Tajfel’s work laid the groundwork for Social Identity Theory, emphasising how group membership shapes self-concept and intergroup dynamics.

Title: An integrative theory of intergroup conflict.
Author/Source: Tajfel, H. and J.C. Turner, The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations, 1979. 33: p. 74.

Summary: Proposes Social Identity Theory as an alternative to Realistic Conflict Theory, offering a psychological framework for understanding intergroup conflict. The theory posits that intergroup conflict arises not only from competition over resources but also from the psychological need to maintain a favourable group identity. This work has become a cornerstone in social psychology, influencing research on prejudice, discrimination, and group dynamics.

Title: Addressing Posttraumatic Stress Among Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and Significant Others: An Intervention Utilizing Sport and Recreation.
Author/Source: Bennett, J.L., et al., Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 2014. 48(1): p. 74-93.
Summary: Evaluated the effectiveness of a couples-based adaptive sport and recreation program, “Higher Ground,” designed to reduce PTSD symptoms and enhance marital satisfaction among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their significant others. The findings support the therapeutic value of shared recreational experiences in fostering posttraumatic growth and relational wellbeing, and advocate for the inclusion of adaptive sport in veteran and family-centred PTSD interventions.

Title: Purpose after service through sport: A social identity-informed program to support military veteran wellbeing.
Author/Source: Waldhauser, K.J., et al. Educational Publishing Foundation [doi:10.1037/spy0000255]. 2021.
Summary: Evaluates the Purpose After Service through Sport (PASS) program, a Canadian initiative designed to support military veterans’ wellbeing through sport, grounded in the social identity approach. The findings support the feasibility and acceptability of PASS and suggest that sport-based, identity-informed interventions can play a meaningful role in easing the transition to civilian life and enhancing veterans’ quality of life.

Title: The Transition Experiences of British Military Veterans.
Author/Source: Binks, E. and S. Cambridge, Political Psychology, 2018. 39(1): p. 125-142.
Summary: Explores the identity-related challenges faced by British military veterans transitioning to civilian life. Veterans with a strong military identity experienced more difficulty adjusting, often feeling disconnected from civilian society. The study underscores the need for identity-sensitive support systems and highlights the psychological complexity of reintegration.

Title: The physical, psychological, and social impacts of participation in the Invictus Pathways Program: A qualitative analysis of veterans’ perceptions and experiences.
Author/Source: Post, D., et al., PLoS One, 2023. 18(10): p. e0287228.

Summary: Conducted a qualitative study of 15 veterans participating in the Invictus Pathways Program (IPP), a sport-based initiative inspired by the Invictus Games. The IPP was perceived as beneficial regardless of participants’ health status, reinforcing the value of inclusive, community-based sport programs for veteran wellbeing.

Title: Rediscovering the social group : self-categorization theory.
Author/Source: Turner, J.C., 1987, Oxford, UK ; New York, NY, USA: B. Blackwell. x, 239 p.
Summary: Introduced Self-Categorization Theory as a foundational framework for understanding group behaviour and identity. The theory accounts for phenomena such as group cohesion, social influence, stereotyping, and crowd behaviour. It emphasises that group identity is not static but contextually activated, influencing how individuals perceive themselves and others.

Title: Identity Negotiating: Redefining Stigmatized Identities through Adaptive Sports and Recreation Participation among Individuals with a Disability.
Author/Source: Lundberg, N.R., et al., Journal of Leisure Research, 2011. 43(2): p. 205-225
Summary: Explores how individuals with disabilities use adaptive sports and recreation to renegotiate stigmatized identities. The study identified adaptive sport as a powerful “opportunity structure” for identity transformation, highlighting its therapeutic and social value for individuals navigating disability.

Title: Outcomes of adaptive sports and recreation participation among veterans returning from combat with acquired disability.
Author/Source: Lundberg, N.R., J. Bennett, and S. Smith,Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 2011. 2: p. 105-120.
Summary: Examined the effects of a week-long adaptive sports and recreation program on 18 U.S. veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Despite the absence of a control group, the results suggest that therapeutic adaptive sports and recreation programs can positively influence the physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of combat veterans with acquired disabilities.

Title: Veterans’ Identities and Wellbeing in Transition to Civilian Life – A Resource for Policy Analysts, Program Designers, Service Providers and Researchers.
Author/Source: Thompson, J.M., et al., Report of the Veterans’ Identities Research Theme Working Group, Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research Forum 2016. . 2017, Research Directorate, Veterans Affairs, Canada: Charlottetown PE.
Summary: Compiled a comprehensive report for Veterans Affairs Canada that brings together research on identity and wellbeing during the military-to-civilian transition. The report emphasises that identity disruption is a core challenge for many veterans, affecting their mental health and social integration. It highlights the importance of peer support, recognition of military identity, and the development of new civilian identities. The report offers practical guidance for policymakers and service providers, advocating for identity-sensitive programming and further research into how identity influences veteran wellbeing.

Title: Disability, inclusive adventurous training and adapted sport: Two soldiers’ stories of involvement.
Author/Source: Carless, D., et al., Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2014. 15(1): p. 124-131.
Summary: Explores the personal meaning of an inclusive adventurous training and adapted sport course for two British soldiers with physical disabilities. The stories highlighted the complex interplay of physical, psychological, and social dimensions of disability, and underscored the therapeutic value of embodied, meaningful activity in recovery and reintegration.

Title: Narrative Transformation Among Military Personnel on an Adventurous Training and Sport Course.
Author/Source: Carless, D., Qualitative Health Research, 2014. 24(10): p. 1440-1450.
Summary: Investigated how participation in an adapted sport and adventurous training course influenced the personal narratives of six British soldiers with physical and/or psychological trauma. The findings suggest that narrative transformation through immersive, meaningful activity can support psychological healing and identity reconstruction in military personnel.

Title: Civic engagement among student veterans.
Author/Source: Albright, D.L., et al., Journal of American College health, 2019.
Summary: Explores how civic engagement contributes to the wellbeing and integration of student veterans in higher education settings. It finds that participation in civic activities fosters a sense of belonging, purpose, and community connection, which are critical for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. The authors argue that universities should actively support civic engagement opportunities to enhance student veterans’ psychosocial health and academic success.

Title: Completion of veteran-focused civic service program improves health and psychosocial outcomes in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury.
Author/Source: Lawrence, K.A., M.M. Matthieu, and E. Robertson-Blackmore,
Military Medicine, 2017. 182(7): p. e1763-e1770.
Summary: Evaluates the impact of a structured civic service program on Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Results show significant improvements in participants’ mental health, social functioning, and sense of purpose. The findings suggest that civic service can be a powerful rehabilitative tool, offering meaningful engagement and enhancing recovery for veterans coping with TBI-related challenges.

Title: Reflections on recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of injured service members and veterans from a bio-psychosocial-spiritual perspective.
Author/Source: Besemann, M., et al., Canadian Journal of Surgery, 2018. 61(6 Suppl 1): p. S219-S231.
Summary: Presents a comprehensive framework for understanding the recovery and reintegration of injured service members and veterans through a bio-psychosocial-spiritual lens. It emphasises the importance of addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of healing. The authors advocate for interdisciplinary approaches that honour the complexity of veterans’ experiences and promote holistic rehabilitation strategies.

Title: The impact of sport and physical activity on the wellbeing of combat veterans: A systematic review.
Author/Source: Brittain, I. and S. Green, Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 2012. 4(2): p. 244-264.

Summary: Examines the historical and contemporary role of disability sport in rehabilitating military personnel with sudden traumatic injuries. They argue that modern disability sport is reconnecting with its original rehabilitative purpose, providing not only physical recovery but also psychological empowerment and social inclusion. The study underscores the enduring relevance of sport in military rehabilitation contexts.

Title: Disability sport is going back to its roots: rehabilitation of military personnel receiving sudden traumatic disabilities in the twenty-first century.
Author/Source: Brittain, I. and S. Green, Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 2012. 4(2): p. 244-264.
Summary: Examines the historical and contemporary role of disability sport in rehabilitating military personnel with sudden traumatic injuries. They argue that modern disability sport is reconnecting with its original rehabilitative purpose, providing not only physical recovery but also psychological empowerment and social inclusion. The study underscores the enduring relevance of sport in military rehabilitation contexts.

Title: The Contribution of Sport in the Rehabilitation Process of Disabled Military Veterans: A Case Study of the 2016 Invictus Games.
Author/Source: Brittain, I., K. Bunds, and J. Bocarro, Journal of Global Sport Management, 2024. 9(1): p. 62-85.
Summary: Explores how participation in the 2016 Invictus Games supported the rehabilitation of disabled military veterans. Found that sport provided a powerful medium for physical recovery, psychological resilience, and identity reconstruction. The Invictus Games served not only as a competitive outlet but also as a therapeutic space for healing and reintegration.

Title: Effects of Participation in a Paralympic Military Sports Camp on Injured Service Members. Implications for Therapeutic Recreation.
Author/Source: Hawkins, B.L.C., A.Lynne.; Crowe, Brandi M., Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 2011. 309(4): p. 309-325.
Summary: Examined the experiences of injured service members participating in a U.S. Paralympic Military Sports Camp. The findings revealed that sport and recreation fostered self-determination, social connection, and identity renewal. The study underscores the importance of community-based adaptive sports programs in therapeutic recreation and calls for more tailored interventions to support veterans transitioning from rehabilitation to civilian life.

Title: ‘Tactical athletes’: the United States Paralympic Military Program and the mobilization of the disabled soldier/athlete.
Author/Source: Batts, C. and D.L. Andrews, Sport in Society, 2011. 14(5): p. 553-568.
Summary: Critiques the framing of disabled veterans as “tactical athletes” within the U.S. Paralympic Military Program. It argues that this identity mobilization merges military and athletic ideals, positioning disabled soldiers as symbols of resilience and national pride. The authors call for a more nuanced understanding of how sport intersects with military culture, disability, and identity politics.

Title: Connection, meaning, and distraction: A qualitative study of video game play and mental health recovery in veterans treated for mental and/or behavioral health problems.
Author/Source: Colder Carras, M., et al., Soc Sci Med, 2018. 216: p. 124-132.
Summary: Investigates how video game play supports mental health recovery among U.S. veterans undergoing treatment for behavioural health issues. Interviews with 20 veterans revealed that gaming facilitated adaptive coping, social connection, and eudaimonic well-being. The authors suggest that clinicians consider video games as a potential tool in recovery-oriented care.