Social Support & Connection, Explore the Register of Veteran Specific Research

Social support and meaningful connection are critical to veteran wellbeing. Research consistently shows that strong social networks reduce isolation, improve mental health, and support recovery after service. For veterans navigating life transitions, these connections can be a lifeline, helping them access resources, maintain purpose and build resilience. Understanding the evidence behind these benefits is essential for shaping programs and policies that truly meet the needs of those who have served.

This resource brings together available studies focused on social support and connection. It’s designed to help researchers, policymakers and the veteran community access reliable information that supports wellbeing, recovery and systemic change. Please note that while much research is publicly available, some studies may require subscription access.

Explore the register below to find data about social support and connection, if you’d like to explore another topic, you can do so here.

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 holistic framework for understanding the recovery journey of injured service members and veterans, emphasising the integration of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. It argues that optimal rehabilitation outcomes require coordinated care that addresses not only physical injuries but also emotional trauma, social reintegration, and existential concerns.

Title: Transition from military to civilian: Identity, social connectedness, and veteran wellbeing.
Author/Source: Flack, M. and L. Kite, PLoS One, 2021. 16(12): p. e0261634.
Summary: Explores the psychological and social challenges faced by Australian veterans during their transition to civilian life. It finds that identity loss, diminished social connectedness, and lack of purpose are key factors contributing to poor mental health outcomes. Veterans who maintained strong social ties and engaged in meaningful activities—such as sport or community service—reported better wellbeing.

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: Examines how military culture shapes veterans’ experiences of transitioning to civilian life. It reveals that deeply ingrained values such as discipline, hierarchy, and camaraderie can both support and hinder reintegration. Veterans often struggle with the loss of structure and identity, and many feel misunderstood by civilian peers.

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: Investigates how military support networks and social identity processes influence veterans’ mental health during transition. It finds that strong identification with military peers and continued engagement in veteran communities’ buffer against psychological distress. Conversely, veterans who feel disconnected from their military identity are more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.

Title: Older Veterans’ perspectives on participation in a clinical exercise program. A qualitative study of the VA Gerofit exercise program.
Author/Source: Abbate, L.M., et al.,
SAGE Open Med, 2024. 12: p. 20503121241271759.
Summary: Explores older veterans’ experiences in the VA Gerofit exercise program. Participants reported improvements in physical health, mood, and social engagement. The program was valued not only for its fitness benefits but also for its role in reducing isolation and fostering camaraderie. The findings support the use of tailored exercise programs to enhance quality of life in aging veteran populations.

Title: Building Connections through Sport and Physical Activity for Ill and Injured Military Members and Veterans: Determining the Optimal Time for Program Involvement.
Author/Source: Coulthard, J. and M. Therrien,
Military Behavioral Health, 2022. 10(1): p. 60-69.
Summary: Explores the optimal timing for engaging ill and injured military members and veterans in sport and physical activity programs. It finds that early involvement—particularly during rehabilitation or immediately post-discharge—can significantly enhance physical recovery, psychological resilience, and social reintegration. The research advocates for embedding sport-based interventions within broader transition and recovery frameworks to maximise impact.

Title: Mission Himalaya: Exploring the Impact of a Supported High-Altitude Mountaineering Expedition on the Wellbeing and Personal Development of UK Military Veterans.
Author/Source: Kay, C.W.P., H.L. Wingfield, and J. McKenna, Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022. 19(9).

Summary: Evaluates the psychological and personal development outcomes of UK veterans participating in a supported high-altitude mountaineering expedition. Over 12 months of structured training and the expedition itself, veterans reported increased self-efficacy, improved routines, and a renewed sense of purpose. The challenge and discipline of mountaineering mirrored military structure, helping participants regain confidence and autonomy. The findings support adventure-based rehabilitation as a powerful tool for post-service growth.

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: Presents a social identity-informed sport program designed to support military veterans’ wellbeing. It demonstrates that sport fosters a sense of belonging and identity reconstruction, which are critical during the transition to civilian life. Veterans involved in the program reported reduced symptoms of PTSD and depression, improved self-perception, and stronger social ties. The study highlights the importance of group-based activities that reinforce positive identity and community connection.

Title: Enhancing the wellbeing of veterans using extended group-based nature recreation experiences.
Author/Source: Duvall, J. and R. Kaplan, The Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 2014. 51: p. 685-696.
Summary: Investigates the effects of extended group-based nature recreation on veterans’ wellbeing. Activities such as hiking and camping were found to reduce stress, improve mood, and foster social bonding. Veterans reported feeling more relaxed, connected, and empowered after participating. The findings suggest that nature-based interventions can complement traditional therapies and offer long-term benefits for psychological health.

Title: Military veteran athletes’ experiences of competing at the 2016 Invictus Games: a qualitative study.
Author/Source: Roberts, G.A., et al., Disability and Rehabilitation, 2021. 43(24): p. 3552-3561.

Summary: Explores the experiences of military veteran athletes competing in the 2016 Invictus Games. Participants described the event as transformative, offering emotional healing, renewed identity, and a sense of pride. The Games provided a platform for veterans to showcase resilience and reconnect with their military values in a supportive environment. The study underscores the rehabilitative power of elite adaptive sport.

Title: Fifty Years After Nigerian Civil War: Social Support Is Associated with PTSD Symptoms Through Increased Self-Efficacy Among Biafran Veterans.
Author/Source: Chukwuemeka, N.A., et al., J Interpers Violence, 2024: p. 8862605241262239.
Summary: Investigates the long-term psychological effects of the Nigerian-Biafran War on aging veterans, focusing on the role of social support and self-efficacy in mitigating PTSD symptoms. Found that higher levels of social support were significantly associated with reduced PTSD symptoms, and this relationship was mediated by increased self-efficacy. The findings suggest that social support enhances veterans’ belief in their ability to cope, which in turn lowers PTSD symptom severity.

Title: Prediction of war veteran’s mental health based on spiritual wellbeing, social support and self-efficacy variables: The mediating role of life satisfaction.
Author/Source: Soltani, M.A., R. Karaminia, and S.A. Hashemian, J Educ Health Promot, 2014. 3: p. 57.

Summary: Presents a model explaining war veterans’ mental health through the interplay of spiritual wellbeing, social support, and self-efficacy, with life satisfaction as a mediating factor. The results underscore the importance of holistic approaches that integrate psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions to enhance veterans’ mental health.

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: Explores how social group engagement and identity influence the wellbeing of Australian Defence Force veterans during their transition to civilian life. Through interviews and mapping tasks with 40 veterans, the study found that strong military identities and abrupt discharges often led to challenges in social reintegration. Veterans who maintained or developed supportive social group memberships experienced better psychological outcomes.

Title: Psychosocial impact of participation in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and Winter Sports Clinic.
Author/Source: Sporner, M.L., et al., Disability and Rehabilitation, 2009. 31(5): p. 410-418.
Summary: Assessed the psychosocial benefits of participating in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and Winter Sports Clinic. Among 132 veterans with disabilities, participants reported increased knowledge of sports equipment, improved mobility skills, and greater acceptance of disability. The events also enhanced community integration, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. The findings support the use of adaptive sports programs as effective tools for rehabilitation and social reintegration.

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: Investigates how personal and environmental contextual factors influence community reintegration (CR) among injured servicemembers. Using both qualitative interviews and quantitative analysis, the researchers identified three CR levels—low, moderate, and high—and found that general self-efficacy, social support, and access to rehabilitation services were key facilitators of successful reintegration. Those with low CR reported more barriers, including physical limitations, policy constraints, and lack of support, while those with high CR described more enabling factors such as adapted sports, education, and community engagement.