Veterans to Civilians: Communication Challenges and Culture Shock

Presented by: Ashley Horton COMM 495N

 Background in Choosing Topic Research Question (RQ) Communication Theories: Culture Shock & Reverse Culture Shock (CS & RCS) Communication Challenges Identified in Lit. Review Testing the RQ Findings & Analysis Discussion

Introduction

BACKGROUND
The Why

What communication challenges are vets facing after returning to the U.S. from a combat deployment (OIF/OEF specifically)? Why?

Research Question

Define Culture Shock & Reverse Culture Shock Theories Examines Existing Challenges Identify New Challenges Relate the Communication Issues to CS & RCS Tested RQ to determine if a correlation is present Recommendations for the Future in Relation to CS/RCS & Veteran Communication Challenges

Purpose of Study

Culture Shock Credited 1st to Kalervo Oberg Definition:

Phenomena precipitated by the anxiety that results from losing all our familiar signs and familiar social intercourse (Carne, 2011, p. 177).

Theoretical Framework

 Supported by additional research and includes characteristics such as:

Psychological Strain A sense of loss/deprivation Rejection Confusion and Surprise Anxiety Indignation

Theoretical Framework: Culture Shock

Reverse Culture Shock Not studied as largely as Culture Shock Definition:

The process of readjusting, re-acculturating, & reassimilating in to ones own home culture after living in a different culture for a significant period of time (Gaw, 1995, p.2).

Theoretical Framework

 Characteristics Include, but not limited to:

Physical changes Biological changes Cultural Changes New Sets of Relationships Psychological & Behavioral Changes

Theoretical Framework: Reverse Culture Shock

What communication challenges are vets facing after returning to the U.S. from a combat deployment (OIF/OEF specifically)?
Why?

Examines Communication Challenges Relates experiences to CS & RCS Tested to determine if a correlation is present

Research Question

 Arline Edwards-Joseph (2012)

Study of Culture Shock & Reverse Culture Shock on Caribbean Students

1989 study by Seiter & Waddell Gaw (2000)

Students re-entering their home country

Reynolds, Colias (2013), Gullahorn & Gullahorn (1963) Carne (2011)

Suggests CS & RCS among returning veterans

Resnik & Allen (2007)

Identified Communication challenges for veterans

Literature Review

 10 Post 9/11 Veterans that have gone on 1 combat deployment (OIF/OEF) Anywhere in the U.S., any branch 8 Conducted via Skype, 2 Conducted via phone One-on-One interviews Total of 9 Interview Questions

Method & Data Collection

Participant Details

Gender
Veteran 1 Male

Age
29

# of Deployments
1

Years Deployed
2007

Volunteer Status
Yes

Time in Service
8

Veteran 2

Male

28

2006, 2010

Yes

8-Present

Veteran 3 Veteran 4 Veteran 5 Veteran 6 Veteran 7 Veteran 8 Veteran 9

Male Male Female Male Male Male Male Male

47 29 28 29 33 33 41 28

2 2 1 3 3 1 1 1

2006, 2007 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 2011 2003, 2005, 2010 2003, 2005, 2006 2003 2004 2004

Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No

29 8 7.5 12-present 12 4 17.5 6.5

Findings: Demographics
Yes

Veteran 10

28

29

33
1 41

47 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Findings: Demographics

2.5

2 1 Deploy. 2 Deploy. 1 3 Deploy.

1.5

0.5

0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Findings: Demographics

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Series1

Caucasian

Alaskan/Native American

Hispanic/Latino

African American

Other

Findings: Demographics

 Expectation prior to deployment, what they were taught to expect, what they actually experienced during deployment

Findings: Themes

 Expectation prior to returning to the U.S., what they were taught to expect, what they actually experienced upon returning
Major focus on married veterans

Findings: Themes

 Characteristics of CS/RCS

Findings: Themes

Fear

Self-doubt

Anger

Irritation

No Yes

Isolation

Depression

Anxiety 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

CS/RCS: Question 7

 Challenges & Recommendations from Vets

Role Playing More Training to Prepare More support for Single Veterans Advocacy

Findings: Themes

Attitude varied depending on years deployed Expectations were different from what was experienced Going home- Everything changed. Noticeable challenges communicating

Discussion & Implications

 Correlation to CS & RCS DOES SUPPORT RESEARCH QUESTION

Supports RQ

Not generalizable Cost & Location Technical challenges with Skype Sample Size

Limitations

 Focus more specifically on CS before returning to U.S.

Hope to ID specific areas in training that need improvement to aide transition

Study veterans that have returned from combat deployment & elaborate on questions & discussions
Hope to suggest ways to reduce impact of CS/RCS & decrease stressors on other conditions

Look at the relationship between PTSD & CS/RCS

Recommendations