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.

Keywords:

• Resiliency
• combat-related amputation
• veterans
• trauma
• posttraumatic growth

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Helen Runyan

Helen Runyan is an Associate Professor and Director of MA Counseling Programs at Regent University. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Old Dominion University. She is a disabled veteran devoted to veteran’s mental health and trauma treatment.

Linda Herbert

Linda R. Herbert retired from the US Army in 2015 after being deployed numerous times. She was awarded a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. Linda and her husband co-pastor full-time while she continues to provide community counseling with an area of specialty to veterans and their supporters.

Jasmine Knight

Dr. Jasmine L. Knight is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Counseling Department at Regent University. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Old Dominion University. Dr. Knight has had the opportunity to speak and publish on numerous topics often focused on school counseling.

Sherry Todd

Sherry Todd earned a PhD from Old Dominion University. The recipient of several awards (e.g., 2018 Founder’s Award from Green Cross, 2008 National Outstanding Practitioner/Supervisor Award from Chi Sigma Iota, and 1994 Paul Fink MD Outstanding Art Therapist Award from EVMS), she has been full-time core faculty since 2010 and practices trauma treatment in Virginia Beach, VA.

Lesley Washington

Lesley Washington is a licensed professional counselor pursuing her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University.

Megan O. Thompson

Megan O. Thompson is a licensed school counselor and licensed clinical mental health counselor associate who has worked as a middle school counselor for the past 15 years. She maintains a small caseload with her private practice and is a doctoral candidate in Regent University's Counselor Education and Supervision program.