Date

12-16-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Cari Oliver

Keywords

PTSD, anxiety, coping, MEB, IDES, service members, social constructionism, neurodivergence, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), PEBLO, MSC, Logotherapy, religious coping.

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

This qualitative study examined how transitioning military service members (TMSMs) navigating the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) used spiritual and vocational resources to manage stress and cope with identity loss. Using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants enrolled in or recently completing the Ch. 31 Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E) or another vocational training program. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through repeated cycles of coding, memoing, and theme development. Six major themes emerged: (1) bureaucratic confusion and identity disruption that increased anxiety and led to a loss of meaning; (2) emotional regulation that stabilized arousal and preserved decision-making capacity; (3) portable spiritual practices that provided on-the-go anchoring of hope and meaning; (4) completing tasks that restored identity and momentum; (5) connection, belonging, and prosocial behavior; and (6) altruistic acts that fostered a new sense of purpose, evolving into service-oriented goals that reframed loss and clarified future post-military objectives. Overall, the findings indicate that spirituality and vocational planning served as positive emotional regulators for coping and meaning-making, reducing anxiety during the MEB/IDES transition.

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