@article { , title = {How do sociodemographic characteristics influence UK civilian opinions of UK armed forces Iraq and Afghanistan veterans? A mixed-method approach.}, abstract = {Evidence suggests that UK veterans are seen as victims with concern for their perceived mental health needs. This study examined sociodemographic factors that contribute to victimizing conceptualizations of British Army Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. UK participants (N = 234) provided three word associations to 'British Army Iraq Veteran' and 'British Army Afghanistan Veteran' and answered sociodemographic questions. A multiple linear regression outlines that low national pride, mission opposition and higher levels of education predict elevated victimizing word associations. Narrative accounts from UK interviews (N = 21) suggest that participants who perceived the recent conflicts as illegitimate conceptualize veterans as passive, naïve actors who had to submit to the agency of the anthropomorphic described government. This allowed holding overtly appreciative though belittling attitudes toward veterans, while opposing the missions. To dissociate veterans from victimizing perceptions, better knowledge about service and justifications for deployments need to be provided. Study limitations, including over sampling of young adult females, are discussed.}, doi = {10.1177/0095327X211070321}, eissn = {1556-0848}, issn = {0095-327X}, issue = {2}, journal = {Armed forces and society}, note = {INFO COMPLETE (Now published, checked and updated 20/3/2023 LM; Still In Press 17/1/2023 LM; notified by contact; not yet on publisher website 15.12.2021 GB) PERMISSION GRANTED (version = VOR; embargo = none; licence = BY 31/1/2022 LM) DOCUMENT READY (Final VOR downloaded 20/3/2023 LM; VOR downloaded 31/1/2022 LM; rec'd AAM; to be replaced with VOR once available 15.12.2021 GB) ADDITIONAL INFO: Rita Phillips Set Statement - (© The Author(s) 2022. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage)}, pages = {419-445}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {SAGE Publications}, url = {https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1550927}, volume = {49}, keyword = {Veterans and society, Social attitudes, War and society, United Kingdom, Civil-military relations, Military culture, Psychology, Veterans}, year = {2023}, author = {Phillips, Rita H. and Burgess, Mark and Connelly, Vincent} }