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Veterans to Civilians:Communication Challenges and Culture ShockPresented by:Ashley HortonCOMM 495N
Introduction
• 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
BACKGROUNDThe “Why”
Research Question
What communication challenges are vets facing after returning to the U.S. from a combat deployment
(OIF/OEF specifically)?Why?
Purpose of Study
• 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
Theoretical Framework
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: Culture Shock
• Supported by additional research and includes characteristics such as:• Psychological Strain• A sense of loss/deprivation• Rejection• Confusion and Surprise• Anxiety• Indignation
Theoretical Framework
Reverse Culture Shock• Not studied as largely as Culture Shock• Definition:• “The process of readjusting, re-acculturating, & re-
assimilating in to one’s own home culture after living in a different culture for a significant period of time” (Gaw, 1995, p.2).
Theoretical Framework: Reverse Culture Shock
• Characteristics Include, but not limited to:• Physical changes• Biological changes• Cultural Changes• New Sets of Relationships• Psychological & Behavioral Changes
Research Question
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
Literature Review
• 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
Method & Data Collection
• 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
Findings: Demographics
Participant Details
Gender Age # of Deployments Years Deployed Volunteer Status Time in ServiceVeteran 1 Male 29 1 2007 Yes 8
Veteran 2 Male 28 2 2006, 2010 Yes 8-Present
Veteran 3 Male 47 2 2006, 2007 Yes 29
Veteran 4 Male 29 2 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Yes 8
Veteran 5 Female 28 1 2011 Yes 7.5
Veteran 6 Male 29 3 2003, 2005, 2010 No 12-present
Veteran 7 Male 33 3 2003, 2005, 2006 Yes 12
Veteran 8 Male 33 1 2003 No 4
Veteran 9 Male 41 1 2004 No 17.5
Veteran 10 Male 28 1 2004 Yes 6.5
Findings: Demographics
47
41
33
29
28
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Age of Participants
Series3Series21
Total # of Veterans in Age Group
Ages
Avg. Age: 28.8
Findings: Demographics
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 20110
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
Number of Deployments Served Per Year
1 Deploy.2 Deploy.3 Deploy.
Year Deployed
# of Deployments /Year
Avg. # of Deployments: 2
Findings: Demographics
Caucasian Alaskan/Native American
Hispanic/Latino African American Other0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Ethnicity
Series1
Types of Ethnic Background
# of Participants
Findings: Themes
• 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
CS/RCS: Question 7
Anxiety
Depression
Isolation
Irritation
Anger
Self-doubt
Fear
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Question 7 Responses
NoYes
# of Veterans Responding to Symptoms
Sym
ptom
s Exp
erie
nced
Findings: Themes
• Challenges & Recommendations from Vets• Role Playing• More Training to Prepare• More support for Single Veterans• Advocacy
Discussion & Implications
• Attitude varied depending on years deployed• Expectations were different from what was experienced• Going home- “Everything changed.”• Noticeable challenges communicating
Supports RQ
• Correlation to CS & RCS• DOES SUPPORT RESEARCH QUESTION
Limitations
• Not generalizable • Cost & Location• Technical challenges with Skype• Sample Size
Recommendations
• 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
