Veterans From Ethnic Minorities and the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic is currently a significant concern for the United States government. As opioids are frequently administered against pain-induced afflictions, instances of opioid abuse disorders steadily increase every year. The veteran population has been shown to suffer from the effects of the opioid epidemic as their physical condition requires the administration of powerful pain-eliminating drugs. In addition, veterans belonging to ethnic minorities are especially likely to encounter negative consequences of such treatment due to the decreased quality of life observed in the majority of ethnic groups. Contemporary research proposes several main methods that could be successfully applied to the rehabilitation of veterans from ethnic minorities suffering from opioid treatment effects. The current Specialization Plan evaluates the existing framework for this problem, outlining education courses relevant for study advances.

Keywords: Minority Veterans, Opioid Epidemic among Veterans, Ethnic Disparities, Opioid Misuse, Minority Veteran Interventions.

Specialization Plan: Veterans from Ethnic Minorities and the Opioid Epidemic

In 2017, U.S. Government Health Services declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency, stating that it continuously affects numerous Americans (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). The opioid crisis is a condition of prevalent overdose-related deaths in the population connected to “the misuse of and addiction to opioids” (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020, para. 1). This event is of great concern for the veteran populations, who suffer the gruesome consequences of the opioid epidemic (Minegishi & Frakt, 2018). Veterans demonstrate elevated levels of chronic pain due to the impact of military experiences and frequently take pain relievers to alleviate physical pain. In addition, Veterans often manifest the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has been reported to worsen the occurrences of pain and contribute to the development of addictions (Hudson et al., 2017). PTSD and opioid medication have been shown to negatively impact service members’ welfare and everyday activities, exposing thousands of individuals to opioid misuse (Bennett et al., 2019).

A growing body of evidence demonstrates the adverse effects of the opioid epidemic on the veteran populations (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2018). About 562,000 U.S. veterans currently suffer from mental disorders, health impairments, and increased mortality rates due to opioid misuse (SAMHSA, 2018). At least 1.1 million veterans are known to misuse opioids, resulting in substance use disorders (SUDs), with at least 468,000 people with previous military experience exhibiting SUDs and mental illnesses (SAMHSA, 2018). In 2018, psychotherapeutic drugs were the second addictive substance most consumed by Veterans, with 1,172,371 Veterans undergoing pharmacotherapy due to opioid misuse (SAMHSA, 2018). Misuse of prescription opioids is a crucial problem, and it has been suggested that this condition also leads to mental disorders necessitating psychological drug therapy (Hudson et al., 2017). Therefore, veterans are frequently forced to participate in treatment for pain relief, opioid misuse, PTSD, and psychological well-being (Morland et al., 2014).

A lower level of welfare among veterans significantly impacts their capabilities. Such opioid misuse risk factors as social isolation, lack of self-acceptance, and chronic pain significantly contribute to the elevated risk of opioid misuse development in veterans (Rhee & Rosenheck, 2019; Smith, 2021). The most common outcomes of opioid misuse that outline the impact of the opioid epidemic on veterans are the increased prevalence of addictive drug behaviors, anxiety, and depression (Zesiger, 2018). These complications account for the inability to properly cope with traumatic experiences and worse well-being in the long term. Considering this evidence, scholars have directed their attention towards opioid-related welfare problems in veterans.

The research on the opioid crisis among veterans shows the consequences of opioid treatment (Horrom, 2020). According to Horrom (2020), veterans commonly report health conditions such as “chronic pain, sleep problems, anxiety, and depression” induced by opioid treatment (para. 8). Horrom (2020) also highlighted the overprescription of opioid medications, especially when combined with benzodiazepine (Horrom, 2020). Although other PTSD and trauma treatment pathways are suggested as replacements for opioid treatment, the overall tendency to administer opioid substances remains high due to their expressed efficacy (SAMHSA, 2018). Of particular concern are the addictive qualities of opioids, which lead to physical dependence and are challenging to treat (SAMHSA, 2018). Nevertheless, an underexplored branch of research regards the impact of the opioid pandemic on minority veterans.

Opioid Misuse and Ethnic Minority Veterans

The veteran population is highly culturally distinctive. The overall number of veterans in the US is 22.3 million, and a quarter of them are ethnic minorities (Coleman et al., 2018). Veterans from ethnic minorities appear to be more severely impacted by difficulties caused by traumatic experiences and opioid misuse (Goetter & Blackburn, 2019). Due to social disparities, these populations are less likely to access potential treatment options (Goetter & Blackburn, 2019). As such, veterans from ethnic minorities have been reported to experience worse outcomes of opioid treatment because of limitations on socioeconomic status and limited rehabilitation opportunities (Nichter et al., 2019). Although all veterans have specific behavioral problems rooted in military service, individuals from ethnic groups often face additional social reintegration issues and numerous personal and socioeconomic issues (Wooten, 2015).

For this Specialization Plan, I reviewed 24 studies that explore the impact of opioid misuse on veterans. The articles for the review were selected based on the theme and the nature of research, as well as the underlying theoretical basis and the empirical methods. As such, the criteria for selection were the focus on veteran populations’ opioid misuse tendencies, the consideration of the participants’ minority status, qualitative, quantitative, or Delphi method of investigation, and credibility of the research strategies. From these articles, ten studies discuss the effects of opioid misuse on ethnic minorities, and they will be discussed in more detail in the subsequent sections of the Specialization Plan. For instance, Coleman et al. (2018) claimed that veterans from small ethnic groups are less likely to participate in therapy and have non-sufficient access to adequate care. Similarly, Burgess et al. (2014) also suggested that minority veterans are more frequently prescribed opioid drugs than White veteran patients.

In addition, Krawczyk et al. (2017) present evidence that opioid misuse therapy is more accessible for White veterans, while ethnic minority veterans struggle to receive such treatment. Furthermore, veteran ethnic groups have been reported to manifest decreased goal attainment and overall life satisfaction (Paulsen, 2014). Considering the difficulties related to overcoming the symptoms of traumatic experience and PTSD, veterans belonging to ethnic minorities are more exposed to opioid misuse, resulting in a higher prevalence of opioid disorders in these populations (Schuler et al., 2021). Therefore, opioid misuse among ethnic minority veterans has a catastrophic impact upon numerous areas of life. This Specialization Plan focuses primarily on the opioid epidemic, opioid misuse, and its effect on minority veterans.

Relevance to Social Work

The core of my specialization plan is social work interventions and policies derived from opioid misuse risk factors related to the opioid crisis among minority veterans in the US. Veterans comprise a unique social group with various traits that should be regarded when conducting social interventions. Military experience is a unique characteristic of this social group, and research suggests that this aspect is important to consider during social work (Nichter et al., 2019). In addition, Smith (2021) has shown that culturally appropriate treatment methods are significantly more effective for social interventions. The literature review conducted by the author and the examination of findings on the topic demonstrate that trauma-informed care becomes significantly more effective when the ethnic characteristics of the veterans are taken into account (Smith, 2021). Recognizing the veterans’ experiences and their connection to a unique social group appear to greatly enhance their preparedness for change and the success of transitioning into civilian life.

In this regard, it is essential to provide adequate care concerning pain management, opioid misuse prevention, and psychological welfare, addressing the military and ethnic experiences of minority veterans. Before detailing the remainder of the specialization plan, I evaluate the primary theories addressing veteran Opioid Misuse.

Theories Addressing Veteran Opioid Misuse

The Psychosocial Theory

I evaluated three of the most frequently utilized theories observed in the 24 studies. The psychosocial theory is the first prominent method that I selected for this review. This framework explains opioid misuse as a maladaptive reaction mechanism to social factors, which prompts the emergence of addictive behaviors (Lettieri et al., 1980). Veterans experience social isolation and face challenges returning to civilian life, experiencing significant distress, and having to battle the negative consequences of military work. The psychosocial theory connects veterans’ struggle to reintegrate into civilian society with the tendency to misuse opioid medications, highlighting the factors of availability and proneness as the contributing elements in opioid misuse (Lettieri et al., 1980).

The availability of opioid medication and its pain-reducing effects are suggested as factors that lead the veterans to believe that opioids might successfully battle emotional pain. In this regard, as veterans with PTSD possess access to prescription opioids and experience severe emotional burden, they begin to consider opioid medication as the only medication capable of tackling psychological issues. Thus, the possibility of misusing the administered medication to relieve the occurring symptoms of anxiety and depression increases dramatically.

Cognitive-Behavioral Theory of Opioid Addiction

After that, I examined the cognitive-behavioral theory of substance addiction as a theoretical basis that is most frequently used to address opioid misuse in veterans from a psychological perspective. According to this framework, repeated occurrence of PTSD symptoms and negative affective states contributes to developing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, which decrease the person’s capability to manage these emotions without medication (Teeters et al., 2017). It is essential to consider that opioid drugs are highly more accessible to veterans managing chronic pain, while psychotherapeutic medication requires acknowledging opioid misuse and consulting another professional (Carrola & Corbin-Burdick, 2015). Most veterans are reluctant towards psychotherapy, which is the phenomenon that CBT considers a maladaptive escape mechanism to shield the mind from additional stress (Morland et al., 2014). As such, increased craving for strong medicine, persistent anxiety, stress, and relapsing pain are often recognized as symptoms of non-functional behavior, which require cognitive-behavioral intervention.

The Posttraumatic Growth Framework

Finally, the evidence that I examined proposes that posttraumatic growth (PTG) theory might be a helpful strategy for addressing opioid misuse in veterans through pain management. PTG implies that the adverse impact following psychological trauma induces individual changes in the coping process, prompting the person to use methods perceived as efficient (Blevins, 2019). Thus, in the absence of viable alternatives, veterans often rely on opioids, which, in turn, facilitate substance addiction. The PTG approach proposes that it is possible to initiate positive changes after trauma by rebuilding the individual’s perspective on the world (Carrola & Corbin-Burdick, 2015). This method can be incredibly efficient against not only the PTSD manifestations but also the trauma received during military service, which is highly significant for veteran rehabilitation. The current opioid misuse interventions focus on the psychosocial, cognitive-behavioral, and PTG theory; however, other educational and medical options are also available.

Opioid Misuse Intervention Approaches and Empirical Evidence

Based on the literature, I reviewed three primary Opioid misuse intervention approaches: Medication-Based Treatment, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) strategy. The difficulties at work, traumatizing military experiences, PTSD, and social challenges of adaptation are the basis for these interventions (Bernardy & Montano, 2019). The principal areas are researching and promoting overdose-reversing drugs, improving pain management treatment through the introduction of alternative coping mechanisms, and addressing the origins of traumatic experiences (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020). However, the development of alternative medication and appropriate psychological counseling are essential when implementing any kind of intervention approach.

Intervention Approaches

The implemented initiatives aim to reduce prescribing opioid drugs, promoting opiate substitution through alternative pain relief medications (Bennett et al., 2013). Medication-based treatment of opioid misuse is phenomenally successful in tackling the problem, which involves administering an opioid antidote, naloxone, and safe opiate prescription programs initiation and monitoring (Wickramatilake et al., 2017). However, these approaches fail to identify and address the most crucial factors that compel veterans to return to substance use, precisely the psychological elements of opioid misuse induced by military trauma.

Main intervention methods, namely psychological therapies, focus on the psychological aspects of opioid addiction, suggesting group counseling and individual therapy as management interventions. During these sessions, veterans are prompted to uncover the mental attributes that promote drug dependency, participating in the treatment with other veterans or personally (Phillips et al., 2017). The most used strategies are CBT and PTG, which report high-efficiency rates and positive outcomes (Coleman et al., 2018). While CBT focuses on identifying maladaptive behaviors and proposing techniques that alter these behaviors, PTG directs the individual’s attention towards trauma and subsequent growth. Nonetheless, it is essential to consider the practical outcomes of all available intervention methods.

Results of Studies of Intervention Approaches

To further establish the productivity of the analyzed intervention approaches, I explored seven empirical studies focused on this topic. Wickramatilake et al. (2017) outlined educational interventions areas the most frequently applied in the USA. These endeavors are focused on opiate-dependent individuals, prescribers, pharmacists, and family members of individuals with opioid misuse and are reported as beneficial for various communities (Wickramatilake et al., 2017). After that, Turvey et al. (2020) discussed treatment and prescription management initiatives as prominent strategies for reducing opiate dependency levels. The observational report by Volkow and Collins (2017) stated that research devoted to developing opioid antidotes, such as naloxone and non-pain relievers, also highlights the efficiency of such substitutes.

A recent literature review study by Carrola and Corbin-Burdick (2015) reported that psychological treatment interventions are highly effective in negating the onset of opioid misuse. The authors analyzed the evidence from an enormous scope of intervention investigations, concluding that PTG might be a more viable approach to alleviating the negative consequences of veteran opioid misuse. As supported by Teeters et al. (2017), although CBT is considered adequate for treating substance abuse disorders, its effects are short-term and less beneficial for addressing the core issues behind the addiction. In contrast, PTG uncovers the source of the maladaptive behavior, namely military trauma, prompting the veterans to reflect on this experience and accept it as a part of their personal growth (Blevins, 2019).

Analysis of Intervention Approaches

However, as I examined the studies, I have learned that there are significant barriers to the successful practical application of the designated approaches. First, the deployment culture imposes a non-vulnerable veteran image due to which they are intimidated to seek help (Bennett et al., 2013). Second, the interventions aimed at reducing long-term opioid intake have been reported to cause overdose deaths among veterans (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2020). Finally, solely educational interventions also fail to effectively reduce opioid misuse (Bennett et al., 2013). Consequently, the observed intervention approaches allow for achieving small-scale results.

Apart from medical interventions, psychological therapy offers minority veterans the possibility of changing their current worldview, accepting past experiences, and reducing their harmful impact (Waters, 2021). Considering that educational interventions are often too broad to address specific populations and medical treatment can only alleviate the physical effects of addiction, psychological counseling is currently considered the most advantageous method to improve minority veterans’ well-being.

Overall, PTG can be seen as a preventative intervention that can improve the well-being of veterans belonging to ethnic minorities, addressing the issues they encounter during opioid PTSD treatment. As a framework that approaches opioid addiction from multiple perspectives, allowing to uncover the source of maladaptive behavior and eliminate its negative influence, PTG appears to be highly advantageous for veterans struggling with military trauma and the disadvantages of representing an ethnic minority. However, the proper application of any prominent strategies requires additional attention from the policymakers. Therefore, the current policy landscape surrounding opioid addiction complications is vital to consider.

Policies Addressing Opioid Misuse in Veterans

Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment Act

To thoroughly discuss the impact of the opioid epidemic and the mitigation practices adopted by government authorities, I analyzed three policies currently enacted by the state. One of the recently enacted policies that organize anti-opioid campaigns in the US is the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act of 2018. Timely therapeutic care is planned for patient groups, including monitoring and controlling the prescription of opioids (SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, 2018). The SUPPORT Act forecasts necessary resources in terms of funding and workforce to ensure the successful completion of its goals. However, it views veterans as an insignificant population because it contains only several provisions aimed at the veteran population’s needs. There is an insufficient articulation of minority veteran-specific issues that must be tackled to stop the epidemic.

The Affordable Care Act

Another central policy that addresses the opioid crisis is the Affordable Care Act (ACA, 2010). It expands Medicaid to minimize deaths caused by opiate overdose and provides funding and guidelines for the timely diagnosis of opioid misuse (Grogan et al., 2020). Nonetheless, its provisions have varying levels of implementation in different states due to such factors as opioid-related mortality rates, demographics, ethnicity numbers, and health care funding. Furthermore, as some states have not expanded the Medicaid program, many veterans remain uninsured, meaning the lack of access to potentially beneficial treatment strategies.

Opioid Safety Initiative

Furthermore, an organization-based policy is implemented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2019). Unlike all previous approaches, the Opioid Safety Initiative is explicitly aimed at veterans. It addresses opioid misuse via preventative, educational, treatment, and therapeutic interventions (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2019). The initiative has demonstrated meaningful results in the reduction of opioid overdose deaths among U.S. veterans. Nevertheless, as the ACA absorbed the policy, it is less used by veterans. In addition, this program does not consider the psychological effects of opioid prescription medicine, only introducing screening methods and prescribing strategies that limit the amounts of administered drugs (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2019). Scholarly research suggests that more evidence-based approaches are needed for successfully battling the opioid epidemic, leading to several investigation methodologies for studying opioid misuse among veteran minorities.

Research Methodologies

Common Methodological Issues

For my topic of opioid misuse among ethnic minority veterans, I reviewed 24 studies, focusing on their methodology. The most familiar methodological challenges I noted were the inadequacy of addressing the comorbidities accompanying opioid misuse and the inconsistent diagnoses related to comorbid states (Bernardy & Montano, 2019; Todd et al., 2004). The research that involved participants contained issues with sampling strategies and statistical data support. The most significant ones were the lack of national data, insufficient documentation, limitations of comorbid diagnoses, and small clinical samples (Hudson et al., 2017; Najavits et al., 2000). Many studies were based on retrospective design or used data from past decades that do not reflect the current situation (Hudson et al., 2017; Najavits et al., 2000).

Ethnic Minority Research in Veteran Studies

Veteran populations, especially those representing an ethnic minority, might be challenging to locate and be involved in the studies, resulting in the reduced credibility of the data and a diminished number of available studies (Coleman et al., 2018). Out of the 24 studies that I reviewed, 16 studies recorded the participants’ ethnicity, but only ten investigated whether any correlations between the veterans’ ethnic minority status and opioid misuse are present. These trends are outlined in Table 1. In an overview of recent studies, Coleman et al. (2018) argued that only a small body of research focuses on the issues encountered by ethnic minority veterans affected by the opioid crisis. Doran et al. (2017) claimed that veterans from minority groups are reluctant towards psychotherapy, while Lester et al. (2010) reported that there is not enough research to outline the differences in opioid therapy treatments for this population. Furthermore, Coleman et al. (2018) also claimed that most studies do not consider the attributes of ethnic belonging or dismiss the importance of this information and state that more evidence is required in this sphere.

Table 1. The Records of Veterans’ Ethnic Minority Status and Its Connection to Opioid Misuse in the Reviewed Articles.

Article Ethnicity Record The connection between ethnic minority status and opioid misuse outlines
Bernardy and Montano (2019) Yes Yes
Bennett et al. (2013) Yes No
Birtles (2017) No No
Burgess et al. (2014) No No
Coleman (2018) Yes Yes
Doran et al. (2017) Yes No
Essien et al. (2020) Yes Yes
Herbert et al. (2020) Yes Yes
Hudson et al. (2017) No No
Kearney et al. (2012) Yes No
Krawczyk (2017) Yes Yes
Leonard et al. (2021) Yes No
Lester et al. (2010) Yes Yes
Merlin et al. (2018) No No
Morland et al. (2014) Yes No
Najavits et al. (2000) No No
Rhee and Rosenheck (2019) Yes Yes
Ready et al. (2012) No No
Shorer et al. (2018) Yes Yes
Simmonds et al. (2015) No No
Tam et al. (2020) Yes Yes
Todd et al. (2004) Yes No
Tsai and Kong (2012) Yes Yes
Yajnik et al. (2019) No No

Qualitative Research Methodologies

Veteran opioid misuse research includes qualitative and qualitative methodologies. For this paper, I analyzed 24 articles, of which only 5 included qualitative studies, proposing that the qualitative method is less prominent among scholars. For instance, qualitative research on the obstacles that reduce the multimodality treatment success rates were conducted by Simmonds et al. (2015), who utilized the focus group technique to assess the veterans’ experiences with opioid treatment for chronic pain. Twenty-five veterans were selected for a 90-minute focus group discussion, during which the researchers transcribed the participants’ answers to questions related to pain attitudes, beliefs, and social norms (Simmonds et al., 2015). The gathered data were coded and analyzed according to the Grounded Theory approach, allowing the scholars to outline the most frequently emerging categories. The authors reported that negative attitudes towards non-opioid forms of therapy are often present in veterans, diminishing the treatment possibilities (Simmonds et al., 2015).

Leonard et al. (2021) presented similar semi-structured interview findings, who argued that issues with patient engagement and the popularity of opioids form a tendency towards veteran opioid misuse. The authors interviewed 49 primary care workers who attended to veterans with persistent chronic pain managed by opioid treatment, using the content analysis strategy to distinguish significant themes. According to the results, three topics were most frequently discussed: the healthcare system’s efficiency, multimodal treatment shifts, and the pressure from the patients. Only one qualitative study among the five reviewed examined the effects of ethnic minority belonging, highlighting that ethnic minority veterans often feel abandoned or unsuitable for society (Shorer et al., 2018). The semi-structured interview conducted by Shorer et al. (2018) engaged 10 Bedouin veterans, using thematic content analysis to uncover the primary themes. In addition, the authors also considered the insights from the interviews with Bedouin therapists. It is reported that veterans most commonly struggle with social acceptance and belonging due to mental health issues. These findings are consistent with the focus group study by Bennett et al. (2013), who suggested similar tendencies based on the grounded theory analysis of 20 ethnographic interviews.

Quantitative Research Methodologies

Quantitative methodologies are used to analyze the epidemiological trends in opioid misuse among U.S. veterans and the behavior patterns in patients with various comorbidities (Hudson et al., 2017). A higher number of studies involve ethnic minority veterans in their investigations; covariance analyses, logistic regression, and significance tests are the most well-recognized methods for this research (Burgess et al., 2014; Rhee & Rosenheck, 2019). As such, Rhee and Rosenheck (2019) analyzed the opioid use disorder (OUD) trends among male veterans to establish the differences in disorder rates based on demographic information, comorbidity presence, and the overall quality of life. Using statistical significance and bivariate regression on the data from National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III, the authors established that OUD is most frequently associated with lower education levels and ethnic minority status (Rhee & Rosenheck, 2019).

Retrospective cohort studies are frequently performed to outline the impact of opioid misuse on veteran populations. Examinations by Burgess et al. (2014), Essien et al. (2020), Hudson et al. (2017), and Yajnik et al. (2019), which were conducted using statistical analysis data tests, revealed that veterans could be severely affected by opioid treatment due to the possibility of medication misuse. Although the data were gathered from various sources, such as patient sampling in Essien et al.’s (2020) and Yajnik et al.’s (2019) studies and national data in Burgess et al.’s (2014) and Hudson et al.’s (2017) research, the negative ramifications were evident in all the findings. However, among the mentioned articles, only Essien et al. (2020) demonstrated that no disparities in opioid prescription rates are evident among various minority veteran groups.

In contrast, a systematic literature review by Tam et al. (2020) suggested that most research on ethnic minority veterans reveals a different tendency. The authors examined 17 empirical articles, analyzed the presented statistics, and identified veterans as, most prominent opioid misuse factors. The findings from 3 studies suggest that white veteran populations are more likely to report opioid misuse. However, it is also noted that the overall results on the association between opioid misuse and ethnicity belonging to veterans are mixed.

Delphi Study Approach

Another research method in this area is the Delphi study approach, which allows gathering the opinions of professionals working with veterans (Merlin et al., 2018). For instance, Merlin et al. (2018) and Yajnik et al. (2019) implemented the current approach to gain professional insights regarding veteran pain management and the decrease in opioid use, while Birtles (2017) investigated the effects of PTG as perceived by experts. While Birtles (2017) and Merlin et al. (2018) gathered the scholarly opinions of 42 and 26 participants, respectively, Yajnik et al. (2019) used this approach to devise materials to be distributed to the participants. In the study by Merlin et al. (2018), the experts have established that education is the most prominent approach for battling opioid misuse among veterans. However, Birtles (2017) claimed that the PTG intervention was outlined as the most famous method.

Cultural Issues

Following the examination of the primary methodologies used by the scholars, I assessed the cultural issues related to opioid misuse within the veteran community as suggested by academic literature. As such, Rudd et al. (2011) reported that, among veterans, people of various ages and social backgrounds are exposed to opioid medication misuse and overdose threats. Importantly, young adults are more susceptible to mental comorbidities and suicidality due to opioid dependency (Rudd et al., 2011). Also, people who previously had SUDs are at a higher risk of developing an opioid addiction (SAMHSA, 2018). Minority veterans can also encounter various substance abuse issues due to social pressure and stereotypes. Moreover, veterans from ethnic minorities are more severely affected by opioid misuse due to a decreased quality of life (Goetter & Blackburn, 2019).

Individuals involved in military work professionally constitute a culturally specific subgroup. Recent research studies have reported that minority veterans consistently report adaptability, social acceptance, and group belonging (Rudd et al., 2011). In addition, this population’s rates of PTSD and anxiety increase when opioid treatment has been initiated (Waters, 2021). In this regard, opioid misuse and the absence of culturally respective support might result in diverse adverse outcomes for the individuals in question. Considering the existing scholarly evidence related to opioid misuse, interventions for opioid misuse, veterans, and ethnically diverse populations, I devised a study plan that allows me to investigate these issues.

Study Plan

To increase my knowledge on the topic, I have taken PLAN 629: Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, PH 660: Application of P.H. Skills, PSY 676: Psychopathology, and SW 680: Systematic Review courses. The Psychopathology course allowed me to gain an insight into the nature of mental disorders, thus enhancing my understanding of substance abuse. The Systematic Review course was beneficial while developing the specialization plan, as it improved my proficiency in research analysis and synthesis, enabling me to appraise the evidence’s quality. The PLAN 629 course focused on the negotiation process and its value for conflict prevention. Given that this specialization plan is directed towards various issues encountered by a distinct social group, this course was significant for my future study on the problem. The Application of Public Health Skills was another vital class for my education, which allowed me to strengthen my social work and public health competencies.

List of Specialization Courses and Timeline of Completion

The following courses related to my Specialization Plan were completed:

  • PLAN 629: Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (Summer 2020)
  • PH 660: Application of P.H. Skills (Spring 2021)
  • PSY 676: Psychopathology (Spring 2021)
  • SW 680: Systematic Review (Fall 2020)

Initial Thoughts on Dissertation Proposal

Considering the presented evidence, the PTG method has been suggested as an appropriate intervention strategy for reducing the negative impact of opioid medicine and promoting minority veterans’ welfare (Smith, 2021). PTG is the process of positive psychological change that follows traumatic experiences and facilitates recovery (Blevins, 2019). Nonetheless, the viability and success rates of PTG in veteran minority populations are still to be identified. While an abundance of studies focuses on the harmful impact of the opioid epidemic on the veteran population, only a few studies provide data concerning the well-being of veterans belonging to ethnic minorities (Coleman et al., 2018). Given the detrimental effects of opioid misuse, literature explorations could be utilized to address this issue. The current study proposes a potential strategy to alleviate the negative impact of the opioid epidemic on veterans from ethnic minorities.

The questions related to the military culture and veterans include the information on the predisposition of veterans to seeking therapy treatment. Also, it is required to clarify what specific factors contribute to minority veterans’ tendency to misuse substances, including the impact of ethnic minority belonging. The data on standard methods of pain management other than medications need to be collected. This information will contribute to the researcher’s cultural awareness and facilitate the process of participant recruitment.

A Delphi study method could be a prominent strategy for gaining vital insight from professionals in veteran treatment. Such research might especially promote the development of the social work sphere, compelling the government authorities to direct their attention towards the minority veterans’ well-being. It may also positively impact areas within the social work field, for example, military social work and ethnicity-oriented social work.

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Zaccari et al. (2020). “Yoga for Veterans With PTSD”: Content, Strength, and Weaknesses

Soldiers are exposed to high-stress environments and near-death experiences that affect their mental health when they retire. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among veterans, who are at a greater risk of physical and mental health disorders. According to Wilkins et al. (2021), veterans with PTSD experience chronic pain, substance abuse, significant depressive disorder, self-sabotaging health behaviors, and poor cardiovascular and metabolic health. Veterans’ quality of life diminishes as PTSD leads to restlessness, nightmares, irritability, anger, and other negative manifestations. Therefore, researchers have engaged in exploring different intervention programs to help decrease or eliminate PTSD symptoms. One such study by Zaccari et al. (2020) investigated the impacts of yoga intervention on cognitive functioning, symptoms of PTSD, and biological stress response in veterans diagnosed with the disorder. This discussion reviews the strengths and weaknesses of the method, sampling, and validity of Zaccari et al. (2020) research.

Exercise programs are proposed as appropriate interventions to help veterans with cognitive functions. In the introduction, Zaccari et al. (2020) paper explain the relationship between the variable used in the research. For instance, the authors noted that PTSD leads to cognitive impairment, often mediated by dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA), a common body response to stress. High levels of the adrenal hormone cortisol show possible impairment of cognitive performance (Zaccari et al., 2020). The assertions reported in the article are supported by cited and referenced scientific studies, which enhances the validity of this experiment. Furthermore, the introduction allows the readers to understand the variables measured in this quasi-experimental assessment. The values measured were cognitive performance, self-reported symptoms of PTSD, and salivary cortisol levels.

The researchers collected the measures from the participants twice, pre-and post-intervention. The pretest and posttest designs are appropriate in this quasi-experiment because they allow for comparing scores before and after the yoga intervention. This approach was necessary for the experiment because it helped determine how much change or growth the veterans experienced after completing the yoga program. However, this design is susceptible to internal validity threats, resulting in possible biases to achieve the desired results. This threat is exacerbated by self-reporting measures to collect mental health symptoms, questionnaires, and salivary cortisol. This self-report bias is a challenge acknowledged by Zaccari et al. (2020) because the respondents used in the study could lie about their behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. Such shortcomings lowered the validity of the research, but the use of multiple, reliable, and standardized questionnaires helped mitigate the limitations. The paired t-tests and correlational analyses strengthened the investigation because they allowed the researchers to evaluate time-series variables from the same subjects.

The researchers targeted the specific participants for this study, who were drawn from VAPORHCS. This method is effective in ensuring that only an adequate number and relevant subjects partake in the experiments. It offered the assurance that all respondents were veterans diagnosed with PTSD and had attempted various methods of dealing with trauma. This approach costs less and does not take a lot of time, allowing the researchers to focus on other crucial details that enhance the validity and reliability of the results.

Additionally, the accuracy of data collected using this sampling technique is high and was further strengthened by pretest and posttest design. However, the sample size was small, given only 27 members were recruited for the study. Of these people, 18 people completed the intervention program, and 11 dropped out. This implies that while the findings might have been valid, it puts the reliability of the research into question. The low number of subjects means that the results would vary considerably, and the margin of error increases, leading to possible biases when concluding. These problems could have been addressed by having a large sample size, collecting data using clinically rated scales, and following up for an extended period of one year.

References

Wilkins, S. S., Melrose, R. J., Hall, K. S., Blanchard, E., Castle, S. C., Kopp, T., Katzel, L. I., Holder, A., Alexander, N., McDonald, M. K., Tayade, A., Forman, D. E., Abbate, L. M., Harris, R., Valencia, W. M., Morey, M. C., & Lee, C. C. (2021). . Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 69(4), 1045-1050.

Zaccari, B., Callahan, M. L., Storzbach, D., McFarlane, N., Hudson, R., & Loftis, J. M. (2020). . Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.

Health Care Within Aging White Veterans With Dementia

Introduction

Since health care is a complex issue, it requires maximum attention. However, working with different cultural groups may bar medical practitioners from rendering their services effectively. Ethnicity, age, social-cultural differences, and sexual orientation are other social-cultural groups affecting health care (Paul et al., 2019). Dealing with people who are seriously ill needs an aggressive approach. In cases of serious illness, likely, anything severe will not occur; hence maximum cooperation is required.

Recognizing the importance of discretion in providing high-quality treatment to highly sick patients, professional healthcare organizations have established policy positions and practice standards that encourage the delivery of personal care (Paul et al., 2019). To provide specialized treatment, doctors should give private consultations. Primary care physicians must give time alone for discreet counseling during appointments when their close relatives accompany the seriously sick. (Paul et al., 2019). This paper will have more profound research on how medical staff will be attending to Aging White Veterans with Dementia.

Working with Aging white Veterans with Dementia

Providing care to Aging white Veterans with Dementia needs critical principles to be considered. There should be high levels of awareness, patience, and empathy. For example, understanding Aging people’s way of response is critical (Lazris, (2019). In some instances, certain practices might offend patients with Dementia leading to mistrust between the caregiver and the client. The doctor must understand their client’s needs or the conditions they are suffering. Though it is optional for the sick to disclose their feelings, by doing so, trust and good rapport are created between the two parties (Paul et al., 2019). Hence, the level of confidence of the patient will be high. Since this condition is heavily linked with damage to the brain, these people should be addressed in a friendly manner to avoid misunderstanding.

The use of interpreters in established hospitals will not be a challenge since most have already hired personnel to do that work. Thus, this indicates that it would be good to use advanced technology in robots for translation (Lazris, (2019). Although they will not be completely accurate, they will simplify the work and help physicians better understand the patient’s problems. However, there should be serenity in what disease or complication they are dealing with.

Completion of an Advanced Mechanism

Aging individuals with Dementia approach illness and end-of-life stages in different ways. Advanced mechanisms are the legal advice directive that lets one know what kind of medical decisions to make (Paul, Salmon, Sinnarajah, & Spice 2019). The patient may need some particular type of treatment, such as handling them with high levels of professionalism. Due to language barriers and the effects brought about by their condition, they may not express themselves fully. Advanced technology becomes more critical to enabling caregivers to administer the expected kind of treatment. Consequently, the patient may be assisted in making some fundamental decisions because their condition affects their ability to make decisions.

Preferred Communication Style of Diagnosis and Prognosis

Informing Aging Veterans who have Dementia of the diagnosis and prognosis is very important. Disclosing such information to these people might be difficult (Paul, Salmon, Sinnarajah, & Spice 2019). They may undergo problems such as psychological torture and forget easily; hence follow-up is required. To ensure that all this is accomplished appropriately, the medical personnel must first make the patients feel at ease. They should avoid medical jargon, use a language that the client understands better, and even monitor them more frequently to ensure all routine work is done. They should also give the individual time to express themselves fully (Jerant et al., 2020). Empathy should be shown to the person through encouraging words, which provide the sick with hope. Making them comfortable is also a significant issue; since they are old, they need to be placed in a quiet and peaceful environment to avoid fatigue. Most of all, the clinician should be respectable when addressing the patient; this will help gain the client’s trust.

Attitude Towards Life-Prolonging Treatment

Knowing the art of prolonging life is a requirement for each practitioner studying medical courses. It includes knowing the positive beliefs of this group of people and knowing ways to cope with exposure. By considering this, it can protect individuals from worsening their condition. The doctors can pass knowledge to them during extreme situations or even bereavement (end-of-life care) (Gudat et al., 2019). It is essential to prevent suffering or pain during the peak of the condition. This should be done by practicing pain management techniques such as consoling and offering moral, psychological, and spiritual nourishment. Medical personnel plays a significant role at the end of life for Aging White Veterans because they are essential people in contact with the victim.

Attitude Towards Hospice Care

Hospice care is a type of care where healthcare professionals ensure the quality of life when suffering from life-limiting diseases. Mental caregivers in this field should be aware of this care and help the affected lead a comfortable life (Paul, Salmon, Sinnarajah, & Spice 2019). Even though the ailment may not be curable, the affected should be given hope of living an everyday life just like everybody else. Medical caregivers should be well conversant with how to remit patient-based care. This care is essential in that it increases the optimism of the victim to prevent the patient from losing hope, which may lead to difficulties in their lives.

Attitudes and Beliefs Towards the Aging White Veterans with Dementia

My attitudes and beliefs toward working with these groups go hand in hand with the discussion above (Paul, Salmon, Sinnarajah, & Spice 2019). Aging Dementia Veterans are prone to illness due to unstable conditions. In many hospitals across the states, most of the facilities are filled with these groups of persons. Many suffer from mental and psychological torture, primarily upon learning about their stable conditions. In such instances, hospice care should prevail, and if it is not done in an exemplary manner, the patient might develop other illnesses that will worsen the condition. Therefore, every care is essential for the well-being of these people in all healthcare facilities to improve their health.

Challenges Associated with Palliative Care

There are many challenges associated with the delivery of palliative care to people who have Dementia. Pain is the greatest challenge facing them. Dementia has a prolonged prodromal phase. Understanding how the condition affects an individual is essential. They should be encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle to boost their immunity and well-being. Risky behaviors like drinking alcohol and smoking should be managed for this patient. In a condition where the infected has fallen sick for the first time in an extended period, it will be difficult for them to adapt and get used to the state (Gudat et al., 2019). A study showed that most Dementia patients are poor copers (Gudat et al., 2019). They do not respond well to their diagnosis due to self-defense mechanisms such as self-denial, avoidance, noncompliance, and isolation.

Management of Dementia is complicated by neuropsychiatric symptoms such as longitudinal care of the psychiatrist. It requires a mental health practitioner or a psychiatrist and strong support from the family. Consequently, the preservation of dignity among this patient has been a significant concern (Gudat et al, 2019). This is highly affected by self-esteem, respect, and honor for one to survive. Aging Dementia Veterans patients require much self-respect since it is the level of independence and autonomy obtained through illness. In the United States, research recently showed that about 18% of medical staff received training on taking care of these cases and there has been good progress in handling them. (Gudat et al., 2019).

Ethical Issues to be Considered When Giving Care to The Aging White Veterans with Dementia

Ethical issues are essential to the well-being of this particular group. Some significant factors need to be taken into consideration to enhance their safety. To start with, practitioners should provide them with reasonable care (Lazris, 2019). These patients need high levels of emotional, physical, and psychological advice, which might be difficult to provide fully in healthcare centers. Thus, the government aims to provide such care in homes rather than medical centers because when patients are closer to their loved ones, it is easier to manage and instill hope in them (Muldrew et al., 2019). Autonomy is another critical consideration to prevail; the sick should be given a chance to dictate or choose the treatment they require and whether to take or leave it.

Truthfulness and honesty are other ethical issues that are of great significance in care. Factual information should be provided to the service user on what is happening within them. It is virtuous to tell the affected the truth and avoid giving them false hope (Lazris, 2019). In some instances, the victim might get to a point where the condition is at its worst. Thus, it is the role of the caregiver to make an informed decision to counter the situation. (Voumard et al., 2018). Justice is another principle that ensures that there’s equitable sharing of resources. Beneficence is an additional principle that supports the care of the patients. The physician should act in a way that benefits the sufferer. The patient’s rights should be observed and the person prevented from any harm.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the role of medical practitioners is to ensure that patients receive the best services in the event of illness. Aging Veterans with Dementia are at advanced risk of getting other complications since their immunity weakens as time progresses. The government has identified this as a significant health issue affecting the country as a whole, and therefore, it has set centers for taking care of this group of people (Lazris, (2019). Since there have been high numbers of these cases, the relevant authorities have also introduced home care protection where these patients are being looked after by their close relatives. Training has been offered to some people to ease the problem of congestion in various hospitals. Some complicated conditions such as autism and hearing impairments are the likely risks to attack people with Dementia (Gudat et al, 2019). Thus, caregivers should ensure that they deal with this condition with precautions because this is the most delicate group in medical care.

References

Gudat, H., Ohnsorge, K., Streeck, N., & Rehmann‐Sutter, C. (2019). . Bioethics, 33(4), 421-430.

Jerant, A. F., Azari, R. S., Nesbitt, T. S., & Meyers, F. J. (2017). The TLC model of palliative care in the elderly: Preliminary application in the assisted living setting. The Annals of Family Medicine, 2(1), 54-60. Web.

Lazris, A. (2019). Geriatric palliative care. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice, 46(3), 447-459. Web.

Muldrew, D. H., McLaughlin, D., & Brazil, K. (2019). Nursing Ethics, 26(6), 1848-1860.

Paul, L. R., Salmon, C., Sinnarajah, A., & Spice, R. (2019). Supportive Care in Cancer, 27(9), 3321-3330.

Voumard, R., Truchard, E. R., Benaroyo, L., Borasio, G. D., Büla, C., & Jox, R. J. (2018). BMC Geriatrics, 18(1), 1-6.

Suicides Among Veterans in the US: Causes and Related Factors

Due to the role of the US in international politics, American soldiers continue to participate in wars and armed conflicts. Experiencing combat is a huge stress, and anyone, even a trained person, will most likely feel the effects of this stress in civilian life. Today many governmentally financed healthcare programs support veterans having PTSD or suicidal thoughts. This paper aims to discuss the factors affecting suicidal tendencies among veterans.

Suicidal tendencies or obsessive thoughts are associated with several factors that can increase negative tendencies. Scientists note that “post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression (MDD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) increase the risk of suicidal behavior in veterans” (Wilks et al., 2019, p. 139). Equally important, anger and social support influence the level of suicidality. In other words, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts are not entirely subjective. On the contrary, veterans, who, due to the responsibilities of their profession, are inclined to serve others and self-sacrifice, can fall into depressive states due to social or family influences.

Understanding this has led to studying the impact of social determinants of health on suicide risk among veterans. Blosnich et al. (2020) emphasize that “adverse social determinants of health (SDH) are strong predictors of suicide risk” (p. 1759). Therefore, scientists insist on the need to include SDH data in the EHR. Equally important, scholars determined that each additional SDH factor increased the odds of suicidal thoughts by 67% (Blosnich et al., 2020). In other words, scientists have proven a very strong connection between patients’ environment and their mental health. This means that using health and social support services is essential.

The low levels of getting social support and healthcare services are another important topic. Nichter et al. (2020) note that “more than 3 out of 5 US veterans who sustain suicidal thoughts do not receive mental health treatment” (p. 61). The researchers emphasize the importance of trust in healthcare facilities and the influence of factors such as younger age, female gender, current depression, lifetime suicide attempts, traumas, and medical problems on treatment utilization. People who are more likely to recognize their weakness and vulnerability, such as women and younger veterans, and people with a higher level of trust in medical professionals, were more likely to seek help. Such findings highlight the importance of trust in healthcare providers and determine the direction for social programs that should consider tendencies toward mistrust and withdrawal.

Scientists studied the relationship between PTSD and suicide risks and found conflicting evidence. They noticed the significance of the non-PTSD factors, such as concomitant psychiatric pathologies (Holliday et al., 2020). Equally interesting, researchers discovered low awareness of suicide prevention programs among veterans (Tsai et al., 2020). The lack of information led to low levels of using crisis hotlines, referrals to veterans’ support centers, the Center for Suicide Prevention, and attendance at community events. This means that low awareness is a widespread problem that must be addressed by the initiators of social support and healthcare programs.

Thus, factors affecting suicidal tendencies among veterans were discussed. Social determinants of health are among the most significant influencing factors, while PTSD did not have the expected weight in determining suicide risks. Interestingly, younger veterans, women, and those with previous mental or other illnesses are more likely to seek medical help. At the same time, scientists record a generally low awareness and involvement in support programs.

References

Blosnich, J. R., Montgomery, A. E., Dichter, M. E., Gordon, A. J., Kavalieratos, D., Taylor, L., & Bossarte, R. M. (2020). Social determinants and military veterans’ suicide ideation and attempt: a cross-sectional analysis of electronic health record data. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(6), 1759-1767.

Holliday, R., Borges, L. M., Stearns-Yoder, K. A., Hoffberg, A. S., Brenner, L. A., & Monteith, L. L. (2020). Posttraumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation, and suicidal self-directed violence among US military personnel and veterans: A systematic review of the literature from 2010 to 2018. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1998.

Nichter, B., Hill, M., Norman, S., Haller, M., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2020). Mental health treatment utilization among US military veterans with suicidal ideation: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 130, 61-67.

Tsai, J., Snitkin, M., Trevisan, L., Kraus, S. W., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2020). Awareness of suicide prevention programs among US military veterans. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 47(1), 115-125.

Wilks, C. R., Morland, L. A., Dillon, K. H., Mackintosh, M. A., Blakey, S. M., Wagner, H. R., & Elbogen, E. B. (2019). Anger, social support, and suicide risk in US military veterans. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 109, 139-144.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial by Maya Ying Lin

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, simply the Wall, was dedicated in 1982 and immediately subjected to controversy (Favorite, 2016). The architect Maya Ying Lin was the lucky winner of the design competition with more than a thousand projects, but she lost in veterans’ eyes. They deemed the Wall insufficient and bland, a shameful Wall of the war without resolution. I will discuss what makes the Wall a fitting memorial and what additions have been made to the composition to improve it. Despite the controversy, I believe the Wall serves its purpose as it showcases the war’s reality and is quite popular.

The Wall attracts many visitors to commemorate the casualties of the Vietnam War. Jennifer Favorite (2016) notes that the memorial offers “a discursive space prompting its audience to question the purpose and sacrifice of war” (p. 197). I could not have said it better myself, but some will argue that this is not the purpose of a memorial, stipulating that it should have glorified the veterans and the sacrifices they made. I agree that the Wall presents a memory rather than praise. However, does not the memory of a sacrifice convey a more powerful message than the praise? “The Legacy of Service” advises visitors to perceive the Vietnam War as a conflict, not as a good war (Favorite, 2016). The lack of resolution implied by the Wall helps with such perception better than any other monument.

In 1984 and 1993, two additional statues were added to the memorial, which, I believe, resolved the controversy (Favorite, 2016). The Three Servicemen statue and Vietnam Women’s Memorial both highlight the valiant contribution of soldiers, whereas the Wall offers a truthful perspective. Kirk Savage (2009) called the Wall “the capital’s first true victim monument” (as cited in Favorite, 2016, p. 197). Indeed, it commemorates soldiers as victims, making the memorial significant as a humane reminder of war’s horrors.

The Wall by Maya Ying Lin is a humble memorial that is thought-provoking and brave. It draws visitors, providing them with memory and a place to understand and remember. The war is a conflict, and, ultimately, there are no good wars. Wars may be beneficial but never pretty, while people tend to make wars glorious and noble. The additions to the memorial appeal to such feelings, more or less resolving the controversy. However, the Wall is necessary to commemorate the Vietnam War without embellishments, portraying not the war of heroes but victims.

Reference

Favorite, J. K. (2016). “We don’t want another Vietnam”: The Wall, the Mall, history, and memory in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center. Public Art Dialogue, 6(2), 185-205. Web.

Post-9/11 Veterans in Business

Background

At present, the contribution of post-9/11 military veterans to organizational culture in the civilian workforce is under-researched; therefore, the current study focuses on the post-9/11 veterans in Yorktown Systems Group and examines what competitive business advantages might be achievable via intentional hiring strategies. The objective of the study is to explore how the adoption of a military mindset might influence the company culture and identify the competitive advantages of the post-9/11 veterans in the business setting.

The research questions are the following:

  1. Can the adoption of a military mindset of post-9/11 era veterans impact the company culture?
  2. What are common competitive advantages that businesses achieve through the hiring of post-9/11 era veterans?
  3. Is the intentional hiring of post-9/11 veterans an effective practice from a human resource perspective?

Ultimately, the third chapter ‘Methodology’ introduces the proposed research methods and designs and summarizes the primary steps of qualitative research: the overview of population, sampling, data collection, data processing, and data analysis. Lastly, assumptions, limitations, delimitations, and ethical assurances of the methodology are thoroughly discussed.

Research Method and Design

The current sub-chapter provides insights into the research methods and designs implemented in the doctoral study project. Therefore, the primary objective of the chapter is to present an overview of the actualized research method, the advantages over other prominent research methods, and to justify the selection of the current research designs. Each of the aforementioned objectives is thoroughly described and substantiated to support the methodology for the DSP.

Research Method Overview

The proposed DSP utilizes the qualitative research method and focuses on interviews, questionnaires, and surveys as primary data collection techniques. In general, qualitative research refers to the research method that significantly emphasizes non-numerical data and frequently reveals phenomena that quantitative methods fail to uncover (Bansal, Smith & Vaara, 2018). Therefore, this type of methodology is utilized to conduct in-depth research and understand real-world problems by exploiting the narrative techniques of data collection (Moser & Korstjens, 2017). Qualitative research has received substantial attention from both the academic community and business organizations in recent years (Cassel, Cunliffe & Grandy, 2018). Qualitative methods are particularly efficient to identify the opinions, attitudes, behaviors, objectives, and other types of personal information of the selected target population (Cassel et al., 2018). As a result, the proposed methodology is suited to understand the perspectives of the employees of Yorktown Systems Group according to the stated research questions.

Unlike quantitative research, qualitative methods generally utilize smaller samples with no concern for numerical representation. As a result, qualitative research is subjective and is frequently implemented in exploratory studies with the objective to examine individual perspectives on the topic. Evidently, there are certain advantages and disadvantages associated with both methods, such as researcher bias of qualitative designs or the general superficiality of the quantitative research. However, qualitative research is generally considered to be appropriate for exploratory studies in the business setting due to the vast emphasis on the in-depth understanding of the analyzed phenomena (Basias & Pollalis, 2018). Therefore, the chosen research method for the current DSP is qualitative research, and the justification for the selection is thoroughly described in the consequent sub-chapters.

Research Design Overview

Consequently, it is essential to elaborate on the particular research designs implemented in the DSP. Qualitative research is a complex notion that includes a large variety of techniques, data collection methods, designs, analytical frameworks, etc. For instance, while there is certain disagreement concerning terminology in the academic community, most experts agree that qualitative designs include ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, case studies, critical social theory, etc. (Korstjens & Moser, 2017). At the same time, narrative techniques, such as interviews, questionnaires, and surveys, are transparently separated from the research designs and generally referred to as data collection methods. Furthermore, the definitions of qualitative designs are frequently interconnected, providing additional obstacles to choosing the most appropriate framework (Korstjens & Moser, 2017). A brief description of the most prominent qualitative research designs is presented below.

The five potential research designs that could be implemented in the current DSP are ethnography, phenomenology, content analysis, grounded theory, and case study. All of the aforementioned strategies are relevant research designs with certain advantages, disadvantages, and specific scope of the study. Ethnography emphasizes the cultural aspect of human relationships and attempts to understand the behavior of individuals within a group or an organization (Korstjens & Moser, 2017). While this objective transparently corresponds to the first research question ‘Can the adoption of a military mindset of post-9/11 era veterans impact the company culture?’, ethnography does not meet the requirements of the purpose statement. Thus, ethnography is not the appropriate research design for the current project.

Phenomenology is the most extensive research design concerning the psychology of the participants and explaining the certain phenomena behind their behavior. Similar to ethnography, phenomenology directly corresponds to one of the research questions and might transparently demonstrate the peculiarities of the military mindset of the post-9/11 veterans in the business setting (Jamali, 2018). However, this strategy does not reveal the potential competitive advantages of the veterans in the organizational culture. Thus, phenomenology cannot be considered an appropriate research design due to a more extensive scope of the study. Content analysis is another prominent strategy that attempts to retrieve necessary information from the narrative data obtained from the participants via interviews and questionnaires (Korstjens & Moser, 2017). However, the primary objective of this design is to establish a conceptual framework based on certain key themes mentioned by the informants and consequent analysis (Korstjens & Moser, 2017). Ultimately, while this strategy is efficient in regard to the immediate data analysis, the content analysis fails to grasp the whole scope of the current study.

The two remaining qualitative research designs that might be appropriate for the DSP are grounded theory and case study. Both strategies are frequently utilized in social and business settings to reveal the real-world connections between individuals and organizations (Jamali, 2018). Consequently, the foundation for the two designs is the in-depth research of a certain phenomenon in the natural context (Alam, 2020). In the current DSP, the phenomenon is the military mindset of the post-9/11 veterans, and the social context involves the business setting and organizational culture. From these considerations, both designs might be applicable to answer the research questions and meet the criteria of the purpose statement. Furthermore, grounded theory and case study reflect the exploratory nature of the current DSP and are particularly efficient to address complex social processes (Alam, 2020). Therefore, the primary subject of the research design selection is the choice between the grounded theory and case studies.

As mentioned prior, both designs share a large number of similarities, and many experts use the two terminologies interchangeably (Porter, 2019). However, for the sake of the current work, it is necessary to establish a singular research design. It is generally assumed that grounded theory is a fundamental methodology approach that might be utilized in various settings and multiple scenarios (Johansson, 2019). Even though the proposed research questions are generalized, the empirical part of the DSP focuses on the post-9/11 veterans in the Yorktown Systems Group. The emphasis on the sole entity is one of the typical features of qualitative case studies and allows for in-depth research of certain phenomena in the social context (Alam, 2020). As a result, the selected research design for the current project is acknowledged as a case study.

Research Design Summary

Similar to most qualitative research designs, case studies are generally associated with five primary steps: sampling, data collection, data processing, data analysis, and interpretation of the findings. These procedures allow for the most reliable results; however, each of the aforementioned steps should be completed according to the case study design to ensure the validity of the research. While the thorough description of sampling, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation will be presented in the following chapters, the current sub-chapter displays a brief overview of the mentioned procedures and provides support for the application of the chosen design.

According to qualitative case studies, the appropriate sampling size should consist of fifteen to twenty participants to establish a deep connection between the researcher and the informants (Alam, 2020). Furthermore, narrowing the sample would allow for in-depth conversations that produce more meaningful results. From these considerations, the proposed sampling size involves twenty participants, namely, fifteen post-9/11 veterans (currently employed at Yorktown Systems Group), two HR managers, and three senior executives. The selected format of sampling size meets the aforementioned criteria and is appropriate for a qualitative case study.

Similar to most qualitative designs, a case study utilizes interviews, questionnaires, and surveys as primary data collection techniques. All of these methods are exclusive to qualitative research and are highly subjective; therefore, they require an extensive level of expertise from the researcher (Alam, 2020). For instance, it is essential to minimize the researcher and interviewer bias to ensure the validity of the results. For this purpose, the expert should explicitly present the necessary information and guidelines to the informants, and maintain a healthy and relaxed atmosphere to retrieve honest answers (as opposed to socially expected responses). Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the researcher to maintain an unbiased stance on the subject and be transparent in regard to data collection procedures. Lastly, the questions in interviews should be presented in a neutral manner to minimize the response bias from the participants. The details of data collection techniques, such as the type of interviews, triangulation, and bias elimination, are thoroughly discussed in the respective sub-chapter. Ultimately, the current doctoral study project follows the aforementioned procedures concerning data collection methods; therefore, the qualitative case study is an appropriate research design for the paper.

After gathering the data, it is essential to process and analyze the information. The collected audio recordings are transcribed into written text by utilizing the web application Dedoose. This software significantly facilitates the qualitative research process by assisting the expert in transcribing, coding, and analyzing the data (Dedoose, n.d.). Consequently, the chosen data processing strategy is deductive coding. In general, this method refers to the processing of the data based on a set of pre-determined theories or key concepts (Azungah, 2018). In the current project, the points of interest include the qualities of the military mindset, such as leadership, discipline, resilience, and teamwork, and how these concepts are applied in the organizational culture. Based on these key points, the collected data is rationalized and designated to specific categories.

Lastly, after processing the information, the data is examined according to the content analysis method. Content analysis is one of the standard strategies used to rationalize transcribed interview texts in qualitative research and offers a large variety of advantages (Erlingsson & Brysiewicz, 2017). It provides a comprehensive analysis of the themes, categories, meaning units, and identifies explicit and implicit data (Erlingsson & Brysiewicz, 2017). Furthermore, it is possible to utilize the techniques of content analysis, such as affect extraction and proximity analysis, to rationalize questionnaires and surveys (Crosley, 2021). These strategies are particularly effective to establish the attitudes of the participants toward certain concepts and identify the rationale behind the behavioral patterns of the informants (Crosley, 2021). Ultimately, the brief overview of the procedures transparently indicates that the qualitative case study design is appropriate for the current doctoral study project.

Research Design Justification

As mentioned prior, qualitative research is associated with distinguished advantages and limitations, as opposed to quantitative methods. The primary differences include the non-numeric nature, the focus on the context, dimensions, inclusivity of the researcher, scope of the study, the structure of the research hypotheses, and type of the analysis (Queirós, Faria & Almeida, 2017). The current sub-chapter justifies the proposed research method and transparently explains why qualitative research is the optimal choice for the current doctoral study project.

The primary difference between qualitative and quantitative methods is their relation to the nature of research. Quantitative designs are associated with concrete numbers, quantified data, established hypotheses, and automated data analysis methods (Queirós et al., 2017). Furthermore, quantitative research is generally acknowledged to provide a shallow understanding of the subject due to large samples and the lack of the researcher’s direct participation (Queirós et al., 2017). Therefore, this method is not generally applied to exploratory studies concerning relevant social problems that require the direct involvement of the researcher, thus, quantitative design is not appropriate for the current DSP.

On the other hand, qualitative research is frequently utilized in exploratory studies in new research areas (Basias & Pollalis, 2018). The method is characterized by the in-depth analysis of the examined phenomenon, the proximity of the researcher to the target group, the flexibility of the approach, and the longer range of scope of the study in time (Queirós et al., 2017). Ultimately, due to the exploratory nature of the DSP purpose and research questions, the qualitative research designs might provide more insights into the topic and are explicitly justified.

Population

The population of the study is generally classified into two separate categories: general population and target population. The former refers to any potential stakeholders that might benefit from the current research, which includes the target population, the academic community, the researcher, and others. The target population is a narrower group that refers solely to the participants of the study. A more thorough description of the two populations is provided in the following sub-chapters.

General Population

The general population of the research refers to the major stakeholders of the study. In this DSP, the general population includes the post-9/11 veterans, business organizations (HR specialists and executives, in particular), government, the academic community, and the researcher. Currently there are more than three million post-9/11 veterans in the civilian workforce, and this number is projected to reach four million by 2026 (Aronson et al., 2019). Evidently, all the groups of the general population profit from the current study. Post-9/11 veterans and business organizations benefit from the empirical evidence explored in the DSP, which might include the competitive advantages of military veterans in business settings. The analysis of such initiatives might stimulate the interest of contemporary organizations in hiring post-9/11 veterans, which provides mutual interest for both parties.

Furthermore, the academic community and the researcher benefit due to the advancement of the subject and contribution to the scientific field of social sciences. While the current doctoral study project is self-sustaining and provides relevant information, it might also pave the way for future research, thus, contributing to the academic community. Lastly, the DSP might benefit the government and stimulate new initiatives and programs to support the employment services of post-9/11 veterans. In theory, such action reduces the percentage of unemployment in the country and significantly advances the national economy.

Target Population

The target population of the research refers to the participants of the study. As mentioned before, the three primary qualitative data collection methods implemented in the DSP are interviews, questionnaires, and observation. All informants of the study are employees of Yorktown Systems Group, namely, post-9/11 veterans of various occupations (business analysts, instructors, IT experts), HR specialists/managers, and executives. Each group is represented by a certain number of informants, and the overall sample does not exceed twenty participants.

All the groups of the target population will be asked to participate in interviews and to fill in the questionnaires. The active participation of the three target groups is necessary to establish reliable results and answer the research questions. The inclusionary trait for the employees of the Yorktown Systems Group is the participation in military activities after the 11th of September 2001. The inclusionary trait for HR specialists and executives is the work experience in Yorktown Systems Group. As a result, people with less than one year of service period are excluded from the target population. Ultimately, the described approach to the target population guarantees the coverage of both the military mindset in the business setting and organizational aspects.

Sample

Sampling is one of the most significant procedures in qualitative research to ensure the reliability and validity of the results. As mentioned prior, the optimal sampling size for qualitative research is fifteen to twenty participants (Alam, 2020). This range allows to establish a deep connection between the researcher and the informants to guarantee transparent findings. As a result, twenty employees of Yorktown Systems Group partake in the current DSP: fifteen post-9/11 veterans of various occupations (business analysts, instructors, IT experts), two HR specialists, and three executives of the organization. The number might deviate slightly due to the workload of the participants; however, the ultimate sampling size varies from fifteen to twenty-five informants and is appropriate to qualitative research. It is essential to provide a flexible schedule of interview sessions to the participants to minimize the fluctuations of the sampling size.

Furthermore, there is a large variety of sampling strategies, including purposive, criterion, theoretical, convenience, snowball, maximum variation, extreme case, typical case, and confirming and disconfirming sampling types (Moser & Korstjens, 2018). The current project utilizes criterion sampling, which implies the selection of participants with certain pre-determined qualities (Moser & Korstjens, 2018). For the largest part of the sampling size, only post-9/11 veterans are selected. Thus, the primary criterion for this group is the military experience after September 11, 2001. The decisive condition for HR specialists is the work experience period of more than one year. This criterion ensures that the interviewed managers have a complete understanding of the organizational culture in Yorktown Systems Group and the impact of the military veterans on business. Ultimately, the current DSP utilizes the criterion sampling strategy with fifteen to twenty-five participants.

Data Collection Instruments

The current sub-chapter displays the chosen data collection methods and justifies the selection. The data collection instruments are interviews, questionnaires, and surveys. The initial step to data collection is the overview of the secondary archived data and literature review of prior research concerning the subject. The implemented data collection methods, such as interviews and questionnaires, are widely used in social and business settings due to high emphasis on the research phenomenon and in-depth research (Basias & Pollalis, 2018). Due to the efficiency of these approaches, qualitative and mixed methods have become the flagman of social studies and are appropriate to answer the research questions of the current doctoral study project.

Overview of the Data Collection Methods

The qualitative data collection procedures implemented in the current doctoral study are interviews, questionnaires, and surveys. These techniques are the most commonly utilized methods to gather personal information, such as perspectives, attitudes, and behaviors of the participants, in qualitative research (Aspers & Corte, 2019). Interviews are one-on-one conversations with the objective to examine the perspectives and attitudes of the participants concerning certain phenomenon (Moser & Korstjens, 2018). They are typically administered in a face-to-face offline manner; however, in the realities of the coronavirus pandemic, the interviews will be executed via web-based applications, such as Skype or Zoom. While this is not the ideal case for reliable data collection, it is a necessary step to guarantee the safety of the informants and the researcher.

The two other instruments of data collection are questionnaires and surveys. The former refers to a set of questions presented to the informant in either an online or offline manner (Surveymonkey, n.d.). The survey is a broader concept that covers the questionnaire and the consequent analysis of the provided answers (Surveymonkey, n.d.). The two data collection methods are frequently confused and used interchangeably due to the similarities of the procedures (Surveymonkey, n.d.). In the scope of the current project, questionnaires represent a set of open-ended questions presented to the participants in an online manner via web-based applications after the interviews. Some of the most prominent websites to conduct questionnaires are SurveyMonkey and GoogleForms, which differ slightly in capabilities, interface, and pricing. Consequently, the surveys represent the analysis of the provided answers based on certain coding schemes. In the current DSP, the data processing is completed via deductive coding with a set of pre-determined key concepts. Ultimately, the surveys are considered to be a distinguished data collection method in the scope of the project.

Lastly, in the case of unforeseen circumstances, a focus group is acknowledged as a contingency data collection method. The contingency might occur due to the lack of gathered data from the established methods, the inability or reluctance of certain participants to engage in interviews or questionnaires, and other emergencies. In general, focus groups refer to collective discussions concerning a certain phenomenon under the supervision of a moderator (Sim & Waterfield, 2019). Similar to the interviews, this method is typically performed in the offline setting to ensure the direct interaction between the participants and the researcher. Nevertheless, at present, it is essential to conduct the focus groups in an online manner via web-based applications due to the pandemic restrictions. In the current DSP, focus groups are not considered as the primary data collection source primarily due to the significance of the direct interaction between the informants and the expert. Thus, focus groups might not be the effective method of data collection in the realities of COVID-19 restrictions. However, even though a focus group is a secondary data collection method in the scope of the current work, it is essential to establish the baseline of the approach and apprehend the understanding of its primary principles in case other data collection instruments do not suffice.

The implementation of interviews, questionnaires, surveys, and, potentially, focus groups at the same time ensures the reliability and validity of the research. The simultaneous application of three or more methods is called triangulation and is one of the most commonly used strategies in qualitative research (Alam, 2020). Such an arrangement allows recompensing the disadvantages of certain data collection methods by utilizing the advantages of others (Alam, 2020). Furthermore, the participants will fill in the questionnaires after engaging in the interviews, and the time between the two procedures allows the informants the re-evaluate the information concerning the subject. Therefore, the availability of several data collection methods guarantees more accurate findings.

Development of the Materials

Materials for the data collection instruments are developed according to the purpose statement, research questions, and the standards of qualitative research. Similar to the population and sampling criteria, the selected data collection methods reflect the primary objective of the project – to explore the military mindset of post-9/11 veterans in the business setting. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and surveys are chosen as the most optimal data collection methods.

For each of the methods, the standard variables of qualitative research, such as age, gender, ethnic heritage, and education level, are determined. Furthermore, each participant of the primary target group provides personal information concerning the military experience, work experience in Yorktown Systems Group, and preliminary training, according to the ethical assurances and restrictions. Consequently, the questions for each of the target groups (military veteran employees, HR specialists, and executives) differ, depending on their field of expertise. The post-9/11 veterans are inquired concerning their experience in the organization, transition to the civilian workforce, business operations, relationships with colleagues, and customer satisfaction. HR specialists are asked about employee satisfaction and expectations, skills development, and general ideas regarding the military mindset in business settings. Lastly, executives are inquired concerning the vision and mission of the company, organizational and culture changes, and operation functions. The semi-structured interviews and questionnaires are developed based on the aforementioned variables.

Interview and Survey Protocols

In the current project, the interviews with participants are semi-structured and allow the researcher to change questions during the procedure. Semi-structured interviews are the most commonly used type of interview in social sciences (Alam, 2020). They allow the researcher to establish a deep connection with the participants, thus, stimulating transparent answers and opinions (Alam, 2020). In semi-structured interviews, the expert prepares a set of pre-determined questions to ascertain the course of the dialogue and establish the baseline for the conversation (Alam, 2020). However, the researcher is also allowed to elaborate on certain topics and ask additional questions if they deem so. Therefore, unlike the survey, the questions do not necessarily reflect the specific phenomena but rather set the tone of the conversation (Alam, 2020).

Justification of the Data Collection Methods

The primary data collection methods of the current project are commonly utilized in qualitative studies, and various experts have had immense success by implementing interviews and questionnaires in their research. However, it is essential to conduct a pilot study of at least two members of the target group to ensure the efficiency of the selected data collection methods and their implementations. The pilot study comprises all of the aforementioned elements of qualitative research, such as method, design, data collection protocols, and will be conducted after IRB approval concerning ethical assurances. The pilot study will also determine whether the interview and questionnaire protocols are appropriate for the current project; thus, the protocols might change slightly after the empirical part of the pilot study.

Data Collection Procedures

The data collection procedures are categorized into three sequential steps: semi-structured interviews – questionnaires – surveys. As mentioned prior, the contingency data collection method is a focus group; however, it is not part of the primary research and will only be implemented in case of unforeseen emergencies. Concerning the ethical assurances, each participant is asked to complete the consent form, which allows the researcher and the academic advisor to examine and analyze the informants’ personal information and provided data, before engaging in the interviews.

Interviews

Semi-structured interviews are the most commonly used data collection instruments in qualitative research. However, they require a considerable level of expertise from the specialist to ensure the validity and reliability of the findings. For instance, the researcher must choose the questions carefully to minimize the interviewer and response biases. Since the interview is semi-structured, the tone of the conversation might change significantly, depending on the researcher and their understanding of the subject (McGrath, Palmgren & Liljedahl, 2019). As a result, the collected data is based both on the opinion of the participant and the expertise of the researcher (McGrath et al., 2019).

The interview protocols differ slightly depending on the target population group. All the guidelines for semi-structured interviews were designed according to the purpose statement and research questions. All of the interviews will be conducted via web-based applications, such as Skype or Zoom, depending on the availability of the software for the participants. The interviews will be recorded in audio files according to the consent agreement from the participants. Lastly, the respondents will be selected in a voluntary manner to ensure a mutual understanding of the objectives and transparent answers. Ultimately, the described procedure grasps the primary principles of conducting a semi-structured interview and is detailed enough for other researchers to replicate the process.

Questionnaires

Questionnaires are utilized both in quantitative research (close-ended questions) and qualitative research (open-ended questions). Evidently, only open-ended questions are used in the current project to ensure an in-depth understanding of the analyzed phenomena and adhere to the principles of qualitative research. Either SurveyMonkey or GoogleForms will be utilized for the distribution of the questionnaires among the participants. Similar to the interviews, questionnaires differ slightly depending on the target population group. All questionnaires comprise a set of ten questions, which is the optimal number to ensure in-depth answers from the respondents (SurveyMonkey, n.d.). Similar to the interviews, the given description is sufficient for other researchers to replicate the study.

Surveys

In the scope of the current work, surveys refer to the consequent analysis of the retrieved data from questionnaires according to the pre-determined coding schemes. Therefore, the survey is both the data collection and data processing method. This approach includes the questionnaire, the retrieval of information, and analysis of the responses (SurveyMonkey, n.d.). Therefore, the survey is a data collection method due to the transformation of raw data input into organized information, thus, creating a new data set, and a data processing method due to the consequent decoding. The data processing and analysis are described in detail in the followings chapters.

Data Processing

The data processing and consequent analysis are performed via both manual examination and via the assistance of digital applications. The audio recordings from interviews are transcribed via Dedoose – a web-based software application for qualitative and mixed methods research (Dedoose, n.d.). The program allows converting unorganized qualitative data, such as texts, audio recordings, images, and videos, into analyzable information by utilizing excerpting and coding strategies (Dedoose, n.d.). Dedoose allows to create specific codes and adjust their structure and weight to meet the requirements of the study. This is particularly efficient for the deductive coding strategy, which is selected as the primary instrument of data processing for the current project.

Deductive coding refers to the method of structuring data based on pre-determined key concepts (Linneberg & Korsgaard, 2019). This approach is opposed to inductive coding – a method that develops codes from the collected data (Linneberg & Korsgaard, 2019). Deductive coding is the preferred method of qualitative processing to narrow down the scope of the project and emphasize a certain phenomenon (Linneberg & Korsgaard, 2019). In the current work, the focus is the military mindset of post-9/11 veterans in business settings; therefore, it is possible to develop a set of pre-determined codes for the data processing. The codes include the key concepts, such as the military mindset, post-9/11 veterans, organizational culture, transmission to the civilian workforce, and individual qualities, such as leadership, discipline, resilience, adaptability, and teamwork. In general, the number of codes should not exceed ten concepts to maintain the proposed scope of the project (Linneberg & Korsgaard, 2019). Nevertheless, deductive coding is not an exclusive approach; therefore, if new themes and concepts emerge during the data collection process, it is possible to add new coding schemes into the data processing.

Lastly, it is essential to protect the collected data on both the physical and online mediums to ensure the confidentiality of the participants. From these considerations, the following measures are implemented: all online data is transferred to physical mediums (external hard drives or USB flash drives) each time after collecting, processing, or analyzing the data; no retrieved data is distributed to third parties, as specified in the consent agreement signed by both the researcher and the participants; efficient online data security means, such as firewalls, backup data, and OS updates, are implemented.

Data Analysis Procedures

Content analysis is the primary approach of data analysis in the current project. However, data processing and data analysis are interrelated processes, therefore, the initial steps of analysis are simultaneous to coding procedures (Linneberg & Korsgaard, 2019). Ultimately, some experts consider data coding a part of content analysis due to the vast importance of comprehensive transcription (Erlingsson & Brysiewicz, 2017). Furthermore, qualitative data analysis, as opposed to quantitative research, is not a linear process but rather a combination of coding schemes, categories, manual and software analysis (Erlingsson & Brysiewicz, 2017). As a result, content analysis requires a considerable level of expertise, proficiency, and creativity from the researcher.

Therefore, the necessary step of content analysis is deductive coding of the data retrieved from all the data collection methods to ensure the triangulation effect. For this purpose, the software Dedoose is used, which allows assigning weight and tags to all the pre-determined codes and, thus, categorize the information (Dedoose, n.d.). Evidently, the data from interviews, questionnaires, surveys, and, potentially, focus groups differ slightly; however, all the information is connected by the pre-determined key concepts and theories.

Consequently, all the excerpted texts with relevant codes are re-read again by the researcher, and the most appropriate paragraphs are categorized into themes, categories, and meaning units to further narrow down the scope of analysis (Erlingsson & Brysiewicz, 2017). By utilizing this approach, it is possible to categorize the data based on the abstraction level, where ‘theme’ (e.g. organizational culture) is the most abstract concept, and the ‘meaning unit’ (e.g. verbatim response of the participant) is the least abstract concept (Erlingsson & Brysiewicz, 2017). It is essential to keep track of all the categories to ensure a thorough analysis of the phenomenon.

Lastly, it is crucial to remember that the researcher is the most significant constituent of content analysis. Qualitative data interpretation is a reflective process, therefore, all data is analyzed via the prism of the researcher’s understanding of the subject (Erlingsson & Brysiewicz, 2017). Furthermore, the codes, categories, and themes are formulated by the researcher; thus, they need to be carefully selected to adhere to the purpose statement and research questions. Unlike quantitative data, there are always various approaches to interpret qualitative data, and different researchers might get drastically distinguished results from content analysis (Erlingsson & Brysiewicz, 2017). From these considerations, all the unique variables of qualitative analysis, such as researcher bias, intuition, pre-understanding of the subject, and even enthusiasm and determination, should be taken into account during the analysis of qualitative data.

Assumptions (300)

Assumptions of qualitative study refer to the pre-determined beliefs in regard to conducting the research. In the current DSP, the proposed assumptions concern the target population and responses of the participants. The first assumption implies that the post-9/11 military veterans, which are currently employees of the Yorktown Systems Group, reflect the corresponding part of the general population. In other words, the project assumes that the target population is subject to the research problem and purpose statement. To support this presupposition, a criterion sampling strategy is utilized, and the background of the participants is established. Nevertheless, the current hypothesis is impossible to prove completely, thus, it is subject to the assumption category.

The second assumption of the project concerns the transparency of the responses. In a qualitative study, it is complicated to ensure the complete honesty of the informants; however, it is possible to support the assumption. For this purpose, the project does not reveal any confidential information, that is pre-determined before the data collection, of the participants. Furthermore, the identities of the informants are concealed according to ethical assurances, if they require so. Such an approach promotes transparent answers and supports the described assumption. Ultimately, the two aforementioned statements are the major assumptions of the current methodology.

Limitations

Qualitative research is associated with several limitations, primarily concerning the reliability and validity of the collected data, the prevalence of socially expected answers, confidentiality, and the necessary concealment of information. Some of these risks occur regardless of the researcher’s participation; for instance, confidential information cannot be revealed for academic purposes. Furthermore, qualitative research is generally complex to replicate, thus, providing additional difficulties to determine the validity of the paper (Theofanidis & Fountouki, 2018). Nevertheless, it is possible to mitigate some of the limitations by utilizing effective research practices and ethical guidelines. It is the researcher’s responsibility to ensure the confidentiality of the participants and collected data, minimize the researcher and response biases, and provide conditions conducive to transparent conversations. The influence of the expert is the crucial aspect of conducting interviews in qualitative research. It affects the interviewer and response biases, transparency of the answers, provided by the participants, and the overall success of the project.

One more limitation of the current study concerns the obstacles posed by the coronavirus pandemic. At present, the restrictions caused by COVID-19 eliminate the possibility of direct interaction between the researcher and the informants; thus, the data collection methods will be implemented via accessible online software, such as Skype or Zoom. Furthermore, observation and focus groups have been denied as the data collection methods due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 environment. As a result, the limitations caused by the coronavirus pandemic restrict the data collection strategies to interviews, questionnaires, and surveys via online software applications. While this is not the optimal choice for qualitative studies, this is a necessary measure to ensure the safety of both the participants and the expert. If the situation concerning the pandemic restrictions changes, it is possible to implement a more direct method of data collection and organize face-to-face interviews and focus groups.

Lastly, the chosen qualitative research design – a case study – is associated with certain limitations. The current project addresses the purpose statement and research questions based on Yorktown Systems Group. A case study of one organization does not necessarily reflect the characteristics that might represent the behavior of similar entities. Evidently, the case study design provides a large number of benefits, such as in-depth research, the proximity of the researcher to participants, and the natural context of the analyzed phenomenon; nevertheless, the findings of the project should not be generalized to the general population without precautions. As a result, additional research is frequently necessary to validate the findings of the qualitative study.

Delimitations (300)

Delimitations are the pre-determined conditions that narrow down the scope of the study and ensure the reliability of the results. In the current project, primary delimitations include the sampling type and size (criterion sampling of fifteen to twenty-five participants), setting (Yorktown Systems Group), and research method and designs (qualitative case study). The sampling size is selected according to the basic principles of qualitative studies to ensure the in-depth research and proximity of the experts to the participants. Based on the literature review, the optimal sample for qualitative case studies is equal to fifteen to twenty-five participants (Alam, 2020). The setting of the current project covers the Yorktown Systems Group, which is the only subject to the chosen qualitative design. A case study of a single entity, as opposed to multiple contexts, is an efficient method of in-depth research of a certain phenomenon (Alam, 2020). As a result, the delimitation concerning research design was pre-determined to adhere to the purpose statement and research questions.

Ethical Assurances

Due to the intimate nature of the qualitative designs and personal interactions with the participants, it is essential to adhere to ethical principles during the research. They include consent, disclosure, risk of harm, and confidentiality (Sim & Waterfield, 2019). The practical strategies that ensure all of the aforementioned assurances include briefing and debriefing, consent process, and conduct of the interview (Sim & Waterfield, 2019). Briefing and debriefing refer to the discussion with the participants concerning ethical assurances immediately prior to and after the interviews (Sim & Waterfield, 2019). These steps are necessary for qualitative research to ensure that the participants clearly understand the procedure and potential ethical risks. The mentioned approaches are used both in semi-structured interviews and focus groups.

The consent process is the most significant procedure concerning ethical assurances. In general, this term refers to the mutual agreement between the researcher and the informants in regard to confidentiality. In the current project, only the researcher and the academic advisor have access to the personal information of the participants, including age, gender, ethnic heritage, and their statements concerning the subject. The purpose of the current project is purely academic; therefore, none of the retrieved data will be revealed to the executives of Yorktown Systems Group. Confidentiality is necessary to ensure transparent answers and honest opinions from the employees of the organization. Furthermore, all the collected data will be protected during and after the study by utilizing the offline means of data storage and backup preservations. Lastly, all of the ethical principles are taken into consideration during the research, and IRB approval will be sought prior to data collection procedures.

Summary

The methodology is the necessary section in every project of the doctoral level and provides comprehensive guidelines for the empirical part of the research. Namely, it designates the type of the research method, design, sampling type, population, data collection, and data analysis instruments. Furthermore, methodology ensures the reliability, validity, and ethical assurances of the research by addressing the assumptions, limitations, and delimitations of the study. The key points of the proposed methodology are provided below.

Based on the research problem, purpose statement, and research questions, the chosen method of the project is qualitative. The selected qualitative design for the current project is the case study, and the primary means of data collection include interviews, questionnaires, and surveys. The general population of the research includes post-9/11 military veterans, business organizations, government, the academic community, and the researcher. The target population includes the employees of Yorktown Systems Group. Fifteen to twenty-five informants are chosen according to criterion sampling – a strategy based on the pre-determined conditions of the target population. As a result, approximately fifteen post-9/11 military veterans, two HR specialists, and three executives are inquired to participate in interviews and, potentially, focus groups.

The selected data collection instruments for the current project are semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and surveys. The audio recordings from interviews are transcribed via Dedoose – a web-based software for qualitative analysis. The primary data processing method is deductive coding, which is based on a set of pre-determined codes, explained in the respective chapter. Consequently, the data is interpreted via content analysis. Lastly, the assumptions, limitations, delimitations, and ethical assurances are described in detail. After proposing the methodology for the project, the next step of the research is data collection and analysis, which are presented in the following chapter.

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Post-9/11 Veterans: Transition to the Business World

Adaptability to Adjust and Learn New Skills

Specifically, Participant 4 asserted from a first-hand account that the repetitive adjustments to threat actions in a counterinsurgency environment and multiple deployments required flexibility for survival. Versatility is another key trait required by veteran managers in order to adjust and learn new skills. For instance, participant 15 acknowledged that it is because of versatility that veteran managers were able to learn novice skills despite changing environments. Moreover, because of putting their mission first during such trying times, post-9/11 veteran managers, through participant 1, noted that it was important to ensure that the mission is first accomplished, rather than just being flexible. As such, flexibility, versatility, and mission first mindset are the key competencies of the post-9/11 military mindset, which are transferable to YSG’s business setting.

Accountable for Actions

The ability of post-9/11 veterans to conduct themselves according to a higher moral standard for their behavior and lifestyle was another common pattern in the data produced, which was another frequent issue. This is because of the serious nature of their military employment; they have a strong feeling of accountability and recognize that anything they do must be liable and dependable. According to Participant 4, a sense of accountability and dependability was a significant entry point due to the nature of their work. In this case, when in uniform, the post-9/11 veteran managers are required to be responsible for the health and welfare of other humans. Furthermore, participant 5 established that their (post-9/11 veteran manager) willpower to succeed was a commendable distinction in the workforce, hence liable competencies that are transferrable to YSG’s business-related setting.

Team Oriented Mindset

An orientation to a realization that the same things motivate not everyone, but that a mutually agreeable undertaking lays the framework for bringing out the best in each person on the team. Participant 8 responded that it was necessary to perceive things from other people’s perspectives in order to encourage teamwork in the completion of missions. Other characteristics such as unselfish service and carrying out responsibilities with integrity that is uncompromised set the tone for individuals in the business to adapt. Participant 14 stated that while the mission-oriented approach of completing tasks as a team is important, other characteristics such as selfless service and taking care of those who work for you are transferable competencies of the post-9/11. He also noted that doing more than your share of the task, accepting responsibility for your shortcomings, and performing your duties, regardless of what they are, with uncompromising integrity set the standards for everyone in the organization to follow, thus transferable competencies of the post-9/11 military mindset.

Problem-Solving Approach

This theme was associated with an intrinsically solution-based approach, and as a result, the ability to solve problems has been identified as a competence of post-9/11 non-veterans managers. As per Participant 1, a significant part of their forward-looking mindset and drive for constant progress in all fields was linked to their era’s experiences, in particular. Participant 8 also mentioned that veterans’ willingness to embrace evolution and a drive to explore is very advantageous in business. Therefore, companies should identify forward learning, group focused characteristics, and collective efforts in post-19/11 era veterans for YSG.

Earned the Trustworthiness of Others

Regardless of the time, military service was regarded as a means of establishing dependability and credibility. Post-9/11 veterans’ extensive involvement in battles, campaigns and conflicts taught them the value of winning the belief and trust of others, as well as in themselves, and they emphasized this priority. For example, Participant 15 indicated that whereas trustworthiness is broad, accountability is narrow. Knowing that there exist restrictions, knowing where to locate the regulations, and knowing that you are required to obey the regulations is critical for a firm that recruits mostly people who will work for government agencies. Furthermore, as stated by Participant 11, a non-veteran manager, dependability and trustworthiness are more of a function of being in uniform (military) than of the time cycle. As such, such competencies offer competitive advantages to YSG when they hire post-9/11 era veterans.

Disciplined Decision Making

Other replies were similar to this topic from program senior managers’ executives who had previous military experience. Veterans acted as leaders in combat and were frequently forced to make decisions without the privilege of consulting others. All military veterans are instilled with discipline, and it is universally desired in corporate environments. From the perspective of Participant 12, post-9/11 veterans who were battle commanders frequently confronted situations when judgments had to be made without the luxury of conferring or conceiving a formal decision-making framework. As such, discipline is instilled in all military veterans and is universally desired in business. Furthermore, Participant 15 stated that post-9/11 veterans’ experiences and psychological maturity were viewed as beneficial in making sensible judgments under duress. In this case, YSG can incorporate such key competencies and advantages to facilitate organizational success, the same way the post -9/11 veterans did.

Outreach to Veteran Centrix Programs

This theme is related to the organization’s outreach efforts to satisfy its commitment to employing high quality, mission-focused employees for the growth of the business. Due to the nature of the specified requirements and background standards, the company’s best possible candidate approach includes a varied combination of non-veterans and veterans. This helps prepare better the organization for unexpected technology, industry, or market shifts. For instance, according to participant 16, the firm was founded on a predominantly veteran staff but has subsequently shifted to a market-driven approach of recruiting the best possible applicant.

Team Development

The act of learning and working together efficiently in order to form cohesive relationships aids in the ability to withstand the ups and downs that occur in dynamics of a group. Post-9/11 veterans’ experiences demonstrated a reliance on and belief in team development phases such as breaching, creating, and presenting, as well as the incorporation of these stages into organizational structures and processes. The high volume and duration of deployments led in the formation of strong bonds with the potential to evolve into long-term relationships, demonstrating the critical nature of human interactions.

Participant 13 observed that the large number and duration of deployments established strong ties. Per the participant 17, the organization has a professional development program and is now through a series of professional development workshops. Participant 6 indicated that we (the organization) do not seek only post-9/11 veterans; rather, we seek the best possible applicant. As per Participant 10, passing on skills learnt to a younger generation can help them become communicators that are more efficient.

Chapter 5

The research questions incorporated constructivism and Schein’s organizational culture model. Constructivism essentially asserts that human learning occurs as a result of the construction of new data from previously acquired data (Johnston, 2018). This previously acquired knowledge has an effect on the type of new or improved knowledge developed by an individual as a result of new learning experiences in the current situation (Perez et al., 2020). The Schein organization is based on the premise that organizational culture evolves over time as individuals apply fundamental values to overcome internal and external obstacles. Following that, if the prospective employees demonstrate their ability to be productive, the assumptions are transferred to them.

Theoretical frameworks are connected to the research questions. The questions are designed to elicit new information from veterans and non-veterans alike while also investigating the effect of business culture on veterans. The theories are connected because they demonstrate how veterans’ military culture affects their transition to the business world and the impact of new military skills in the business world. Schein’s theory focuses on the positive effects of superior military skills in the business world. It clearly demonstrates how veterans’ culture is incorporated and the benefits associated with military employees. On the other hand, constructivism is used to bring to light new information acquired by veterans working in the business world (Bratianu et al., 2020). As veterans encounter and reflect on the business world, they develop their own reflections and new knowledge assimilated into their pre-existing knowledge.

The first research question examined the competencies derived from post-9/11 veterans’ members using constructivism theory. Three themes emerged from this theory: adaptability, team orientation, and accountability. These themes were developed in response to the skills acquired by veterans upon entering the business world. They were able to adapt to their environment through the acquisition of business-related skills, owing to their high degree of adaptability in a variety of environments (Ariza Aguilera, 2018). Additionally, they adhere to a high moral standard in terms of business ethics, as they understand they are accountable for their own actions in light of the serious nature of the military environment to which they had previously been exposed. Once exposed to the business world, they begin to understand the value of a team-oriented mindset. They begin to view business activities through the eyes of others, such as customer care services, which require an understanding of the customers’ claims and desires. The three themes enabled the researcher to conduct comprehensive research on how the process of learning new skills was more effective for veterans entering the business industry who possessed prior military skills.

The second question used the Schein model’s conceptual framework to determine which organizations benefited from hiring post-9/11 veterans. Themes such as decision making, decision making, and trustworthiness were developed. The theme of decision making and problem solving was developed using this model because veterans served as leaders in the military, and the constant need to make decisions compelled them to develop discipline when making decisions in a business environment (Bratianu et al., 2020). The ability to solve problems and make decisions fueled the veterans’ forward-thinking and constant improvement mindset, which is a critical employee mindset that every employer requires for the smooth operation of their business.

Their previous workplace’s conflict environment taught them the value of earning the belief and trust of others, as well as in themselves, and they emphasized this priority by making it their responsibility to ensure excellent production in the business environments to which they were assigned. All of these factors contribute to their trustworthiness in the eyes of their employers, thereby fostering a culture of creditability and dependability in the workplace (Schein and Gray, 2018). The themes developed in response to this research question enriched the study by illustrating how veterans’ military skills influenced the type of new business skills they adopted. Additionally, it aided in comprehending how newly acquired skills provided the organization with a competitive edge over organizations that did not incorporate post-9/11 veterans.

The third research question investigated how the organization can incorporate the advantages of the competencies of post-9/11 veterans’ members to ensure the organization’s success. Outreach and team development were developed as themes. While working in business environments, veterans have the vision to incorporate the qualities they have acquired into future ventures. Additionally, they recognize that their military skills are transferable to the business world, but they require assistance in adapting to and positioning themselves for future market-driven changes without reorganizing their workforce.

Both theories developed the theme of outreach, as it encompasses both the effect of military culture on the business and the organizations’ efforts to recruit these unique skills to benefit their businesses. Thus, the organization should consult Centrix Programs for Veterans to assist them in reintegrating veterans into the business world (Schein and Gray, 2018). The theme of team development was chosen because it allowed for an easy integration of veterans who were already accustomed to working in teams in their previous work environment. Both models were used to develop the themes of outreach and team development because they are both ingrained in the military culture and a learned skill acquired by veterans in the business industry.

References

Ariza Aguilera, D. A. (2018). CES Psicología, 11(1), 118-133. Web.

Bratianu, C., Hadad, S., & Bejinaru, R. (2020). Sustainability, 12(4), 1260-1348. Web.

Johnson, A. P. (2019). Essential learning theories: Applications to authentic teaching situations. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Perez, R. J., Robbins, C. K., Harris Jr, L., & Montgomery, C. (2020). Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 13(2), 103-133. Web.

Schein, C., & Gray, K. (2018). Personality and Social Psychology Review, 22(1), 32-70. Web.