‘We learn how to dig deep and get through it’: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the meaning of resilience and stress for soldiers in the Irish Defence Forces

Military personnel are subject to more intense and more frequent stressors than the general population, and demonstrate higher rates of some mental illness. Resilience may be an important protective factor but is variably defined, and resilience-building interventions reflect variable approaches and produce mixed results. We aimed with this research to complement existing resilience-building strategies and interventions by contributing deeper understanding of how individuals in the Irish Defence Force (DF) experience and make meaning of resilience, through use of a qualitative and interpretative approach. The research question was: What is the meaning of resilience for DF members? Participants included six soldiers and research was carried out using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Developed themes described belief in pre-disposition toward resilience and perceptions of stigma associated with help-seeking for stress. Resilience was described as contagious among group members, suggesting the value of group resilience as a training strategy for military personnel.