The relationship between volunteerism and well-being in Veteran and military populations: A scoping review

Article type
Authors
Sears K1, Sears K1, Godfrey C1
1Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Abstract
Background: Upon returning from military service, veterans might encounter challenges such as a loss of identity, struggles in securing fulfilling employment, and heightened risks of mental health issues. As Veterans are among the most civic-minded groups within the United States, volunteering can be used to renew a sense of purpose for those struggling with the transition from military service to civilian life. Volunteering provides social, physical, and mental benefits to those receiving the services and those who are volunteering. Previous research indicates that veterans who volunteer their time often experience a smoother transition from military service to civilian and family life, enjoy better overall health, exhibit lower rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, and face reduced social isolation. Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to summarize the relationship between volunteerism and well-being within Veteran and/or military personnel. Research Question: What has been reported in the literature about the relationship between volunteerism and well-being in Veteran and military populations, particularly as related to the military-to-civilian transition? Methods: This scoping review will be conducted according to the JBI methodology, with study selection and data extraction completed by two reviewers. Results: The extracted data will be presented in a diagrammatic or tabular form that aligns with this scoping review’s objectives. A narrative summary of the findings tables will describe how included studies relate to the research objective and question(s). Conclusions: By creating a summary from this scoping review, those working with Veteran and military populations (such as social workers and counsellors) will have increased knowledge on the interplay between volunteerism and well-being. This scoping review will provide stakeholders with insight so they can effectively implement practices to better address emerging challenges.