The meaning of the military identity: A grounded theory study exploring body image and physical exercise in male military veterans

Whilst difficulties faced by military veterans in the transition to civilian life include the loss of the military identity, low social support and health problems, help-seeking behaviours are typically lower in males, potentially due to stigma and masculinity ideologies reinforcing the need to be “emotionally tough”. The body is often constructed as a shaper of identity, with physical exercise described as a way for men to achieve culturally defined exemplars of masculinity. Considering the physicality of the military and similarities between the patriarchal, hierarchical, competitive nature of sports, along with the dearth of literature exploring body image in military veterans, a systematic review was conducted exploring how male athletes report and experience body image related concerns and dissatisfaction. Narrative synthesis of 23 studies found that body image was expressed across five themes, under two overarching cultural discourses: the sport identity and the masculine identity. The current study therefore aimed to explore the purpose of physical exercise participation for male military veterans, with consideration of body image and masculinity ideologies. The study took a constructivist grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis of semi-structured interviews with 18 male military veterans in the UK. Findings comprised a theory stipulating three earlier formative conditions (experiences prompting enlistment, body awareness, and elevated pressure) that influenced the degree to which veterans embodied the military-masculine identity and subsequent transition process in the context of body image and masculinity, with varying reasons for exercise participation throughout. Results are situated in the literature with reference to relevant frameworks concerned with transitions, body image, and masculinity. Despite methodological limitations, the study contributes to the field by highlighting the reframing of masculinity dialogue to support help-seeking behaviours, peer support, facilitating conversations in narrative environments, exercise programmes, processes to ease transition, and awareness of language and terminology in policy.