6533b82dfe1ef96bd1290a39

RESEARCH PRODUCT

The lifelong struggle of Finnish World War II veterans.

Anneli SarvimäkiSirkka Nivala

subject

GerontologyMaleWarfareWorld War IIPoison controlContext (language use)Personality AssessmentSuicide preventionGrounded theoryWhite PeopleInterviews as TopicStress Disorders Post-TraumaticAdaptation PsychologicalHumanshealth care economics and organizationsta515FinlandQualitative ResearchAgedVeteransAged 80 and overCombat DisordersWorld War IIHuman factors and ergonomicsSocial SupportGender studiesPTSDsocial sciencesta3142war traumashumanitiesPsychiatry and Mental healthSpanish Civil Warexperiential ageingGeriatrics and GerontologyPshychiatric Mental HealthPsychologyGerontologylifespanQualitative researchgrounded theory

description

Objectives: In many countries veterans from World War II are growing old. Research has shown that war experiences continue to impact those who have been involved in war for a long time. The present study targets old injured war veterans from World War II in Finland. The aim of this study was to produce knowledge of the impact of war experiences and injuries on the lifespan of Finnish war veterans.Method: The method used was grounded theory. Data were collected by interviewing 20 aged war veterans in their homes.Results: The analysis resulted in four categories, with also subcategories: (1) lost childhood and youth; (2) war traumas impacting life; (3) starting life from scratch; and (4) finding one's own place. A substantive theory of war veterans’ lifelong struggle for freedom throughout the lifespan was outlined.Conclusion: The war overshadowed the whole lifespan of the veterans, but in old age they finally felt free. Since war experiences vary depending on historical context, a formal theory would requi...

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2014-09-09Agingmental health
10.1080/13607863.2014.954525https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25198580