An existential study of Iraq War veterans' traumatizing experiences
by Pitchford, Daniel B., Ph.D., SAYBROOK GRADUATE SCHOOL AND RESEARCH CENTER, 2009, 122 pages; 3339401

Abstract:

This exploratory study examined the combat and related experiences of United States (U.S.) veterans of the Iraq War. The examination was conducted using Irvin Yalom’s description of the four ultimate life concerns of meaning and meaninglessness, freedom and determinism, isolation and community, and life and death for understanding war and combat experiences. This study utilized a narrative theoretical approach that examined fifty interview statements of veterans from the Iraq War through Yalom’s ultimate life concerns. I found that looking at these veterans’ experiences in the context of Yalom’s concerns revealed ways war experiences can affect individual functioning postwar. The research question of this study asked if U.S. combat veterans of the Iraq War could be candidates for an existential-integrative (EI) approach to therapy. Specifically, this study combined Rollo May’s understanding of human experiences with Kirk J. Schneider’s existential-integrative perspective as a means for providing integrative healing from war-related experiences (e.g., combat). A major implication of this dissertation was that existential-integrative therapy might support the development of a positive post-war identity, but that substantiation of this claim is needed through outcome-based research.

 
AdviserTom Greening
SchoolSAYBROOK GRADUATE SCHOOL AND RESEARCH CENTER
SourceDAI/B 69-12, p. , Feb 2009
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsClinical psychology
Publication Number3339401
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