Self-efficacy and transition success : an explanatory sequential mixed methods study of post-9/11 military veterans.

Transitioning out of the military is a stressful process often detrimental to veterans’ health (Mobbs & Bonanno, 2018; Ravindran et al., 2020). Approximately 150,000 service members transition out of active duty each year (Kamarck, 2018; U.S. Department of Defense, 2021b), and nearly half of post-9/11 veterans report not being well prepared for civilian life (Parker et al., 2019b). Veterans face increased risk of suicide (Blow et al., 2012; McCarthy et al., 2009; Ravindran et al., 2020; Reger et al., 2015), familial troubles (Hogan & Furst Seifert, 2010; Karney & Crown, 2007), and problems with mental health, drug use, and housing insecurity (Metraux et al., 2017; O’Connor et al., 2013; Stacy et al., 2017; Tsai & Rosenheck, 2015). There is a need to give attention to theories and frameworks more likely to provide and enable individualized support to military service members and veterans to produce successful transitions out of the military.

The purpose of this study is to understand the role of self-efficacy in military veterans’ transition to post-service life. I used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to collect, analyze, and integrate quantitative and qualitative data. Using this data, I answered research questions about veterans’ perception of their general self-efficacy, transition out of the military, and how their lived experiences in the military developed or hindered their efficacy development.

I found self-efficacy a statistically significant predictor of transition success in a quantitative sample of 87 participants. I conducted interviews with a qualitative sample of six participants and identified three themes that highlighted the importance of decision-making, active engagement in personal and professional communities, and overcoming challenges to produce desirable results. I integrated the quantitative and qualitative data to determine good financial management and veterans’ belief that they can leverage knowledge and skills from military service in civilian careers heavily influenced successful transitions out of the military. The findings of this study can inform veteran-serving organizations, military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) organizations, and researchers of military and veteran studies. The findings are useful to help refine or develop new programming, interventions, or tools to support military service members and veterans.