Climbing towards recovery: investigating physically injured combat veterans’ psychosocial response to scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro

Abstract

Purpose: To explore physically injured combat veterans’ psychosocial response to scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro. Method: Participants (n = 4) were male and ranged in age from 22 to 44 years. They had all been wounded as a result of active duty in Afghanistan between 15 and 42 months (M = 27.25) before the study. Data were collected throughout a 9-day climb on Mt. Kilimanjaro using multiple sources of ethnographic data collection techniques including semi-structured interviews and detailed observations. Data were analyzed using cross case analysis. Results: The findings are divided into themes that were drawn out of the data to illustrate the participants’ psychosocial response to their experience of climbing on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Key themes of self-determination, active coping and social support were identified from the data. Conclusion: Support for those in recovery from trauma should foster psychosocial resources needed for healthy functioning. Future research should explore the role of meaningful and challenging activities as a way of improving the experience of recovery following serious injury.

Implications for Rehabilitation

Injured combat veterans

• Acquiring an injury may result in physical disability, pain, physical limitations, stress and vulnerability, and loss of family and friends thereby hindering veterans’ capacity to recover.

• In a relatively small sample, this study shows that pursuing meaningful and challenging activities such as scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro may complement rehabilitation strategies.

• Services and support for those in recovery from trauma should foster psychosocial resources needed for healthy functioning.

Keywords::

• Physical trauma
• physical activity
• post injury recovery
• psychosocial

Declaration of Interest The authors report no declaration of interest. Please note that the present study was supported by an Alexandra Hospital Foundation research grant