Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Sharon Xuereb

Abstract

AbstractThis qualitative study explored the lived experiences of male U.S. combat veterans with empathy and how this features in their transition back into society. Davis’s cognitive and emotional empathy served as the conceptual framework to expand further on this topic. Seven male U.S. combat veterans who had deployed at least once in their military career and lived as civilians for the past 10 to 15 years were interviewed through Zoom. Recruiting methods included social media, veteran meeting places, and snowballing approaches. Results from interpretative phenomenological analysis of the interview data included six main themes: feelings of compassion before deployment, feelings of detachment after deployment, feelings of togetherness with other veterans, feelings of hardship, feelings of isolation, and feeling discarded by the government. Participants reported experiencing little to no empathy from society towards them and vice versa. Further analysis and the conceptual framework revealed that veterans experienced cognitive empathy within their society but diminished emotional empathy, while experiencing emotional empathy with other combat veterans. This research fills a gap in the literature on how veterans experience empathy within their community, increasing awareness for best practices in teaching empathy for the community and veterans. The findings may be used for positive social by helping professionals for positive social change to increase veterans’ experience with empathy and reduce stress.

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