Veteran Success Group: Enhancing Occupational Performance In Military-To-Civilian Transition

Introduction: This doctoral capstone project aimed to explore the role of occupational therapy in supporting veterans during their transition from active duty to civilian life. The transition process presents significant challenges, including difficulties in health management, social participation, employment, and identity redefinition. Using the Military to Civilian Questionnaire (M2C-Q) and qualitative interviews, key challenges faced by veterans were identified, which aligned with the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF-4). A Veteran Success Group was developed, consisting of six weekly sessions addressing support and accountability, values, identity, transition stressors, empathy, and leisure. Methods: Pre- and post-session surveys demonstrated significant improvements in veterans’ interest, perceived importance, and knowledge of the topics covered. The project revealed that while veterans struggled with issues related to social integration, emotional regulation, and occupational engagement, occupational therapy interventions facilitated their participation in meaningful activities and enhanced their overall sense of well-being. A major implementation challenge involved educating community organizations about the role of occupational therapy, which was mitigated through advocacy and collaboration. Discussion/Implications: The findings underscore the value of occupational therapy in addressing the complex biopsychosocial factors impacting veterans’ reintegration into civilian life. By leveraging a structured group intervention approach, the project provided insight into the efficacy of targeted occupational therapy interventions to improve veterans' occupational performance and quality of life during transition. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting occupational therapy as an essential service in veteran reintegration programs.