The Correlation of Self-Concept Instability and Combat-PTSD in Veterans

Abstract

This research investigated the effects of combat-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on veterans’ self-concept and its related components, self-concept clarity, self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-efficacy. Currently, there is no empirical data that explores self-concept and combat-related PTSD in veterans. There is little data that investigates the potential correlation of self-concept instability and PTSD. This research attempts to explore how self-concept in military veterans may be negatively impacted by combat-related PTSD. The study hypothesizes the following: 1) that self-concept instability may be a contributing factor to the persistence of PTSD symptomatology, 2) that veterans experience a cyclical journey of self-concept adjustment to compensate for the self-concept instability, and 3) the attempt to restabilize the self-concept, through selfwork, may further destabilize any previously established self-concept. The study used a case series of a snowball sample of nine non-active combat veterans who participated in various wars or other combat engagement, including but not limited to Vietnam, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation New Dawn (OND), Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). This study utilized self-reporting measures of participants’ self-concept, self-concept clarity, self-esteem, self-awareness, moral injury, and combat experience. Following the survey completions, the participants completed a phenomenological interview in a case series that focused on the pathway of the self-concept model as a mechanism of understanding PTSD symptomology, and how to identify aspects for future therapies. This is one of the first studies to examine the self-concept and its related components in combat veterans and explore its relation to combat-related PTSD. The aim of this study was to address the potential correlation between self-concept instability and combat-related PTSD, future therapy efforts may start addressing the symptoms of the misaligned self-concept quickly enough for the veteran to continue therapy participation.