How do sociodemographic characteristics influence UK civilian opinions of UK armed forces Iraq and Afghanistan veterans? A mixed-method approach.

Phillips, Rita H.; Burgess, Mark; Connelly, Vincent

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.

Citation

PHILLIPS, R.H., CONNELLY, V. and BURGESS, M. 2023. How do sociodemographic characteristics influence UK civilian opinions of UK armed forces Iraq and Afghanistan veterans? A mixed-method approach. Armed forces and society [online], 49(2), pages 419-445. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X211070321

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 15, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jan 27, 2022
• Publication Date: Apr 30, 2023
• Deposit Date: Dec 15, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 15, 2021
• Journal: Armed forces and society
• Print ISSN: 0095-327X
• Electronic ISSN: 1556-0848
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 49
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 419-445
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X211070321
• Keywords: Veterans and society; Social attitudes; War and society; United Kingdom; Civil-military relations; Military culture; Psychology; Veterans
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1550927
• Additional Information: This article has been published with separate supporting information. This supporting information has been incorporated into a single file on this repository and can be found at the end of the file associated with this output.