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THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF VETERAN IDENTITY: CONCLUSIONS FROM COHORT 1

Abstract

Our study employed photovoice and lyric analysis, two qualitative community-based participatory action research methods, in a cohort design to investigate how Veterans define their post-service identities. Photovoice enables Veterans to share their personal stories through photographs that represent their identities, while lyric analysis allows them to reflect on songs that resonate with their experiences. Veterans in our first cohort (N = 4) responded to the prompt, "What does being a Veteran mean to you?" by taking photos and selecting songs that reflected aspects of their identities. They then participated in semi-structured interviews to discuss the significance of these images and lyrics. The interviews varied in length and allowed each Veteran to explore their experiences in a meaningful way. Transcripts from these interviews, along with the lyrics of their chosen songs and other relevant artifacts (e.g., journal notes, research notes), were analyzed using a phenomenological approach to identify themes related to Veteran identity. Member-checking, where participants reviewed and discussed the results with researchers, was used to ensure external validity. Preliminary findings reveal common identity themes such as honor, integrity, pride, isolation/loneliness, duty, sacrifice, humanity, identity conflict, and loyalty. Despite the high degree of commonality in these themes, the research highlights that Veteran identity is not monolithic. Each participant processed their experiences through a unique lens, even with shared military culture. These methods build trust between historically exploited and excluded groups in science and researchers, amplifying marginalized voices. As a final exhibition, we hosted an interactive gallery featuring Veterans' photos and songs to share their experiences with the public. The event included live performances and displays of highlighted lyrics and photos. Our project empowered Veterans to share their voices and helped rebuild trust between Veterans and the scientific community, addressing historical exploitation. Moving forward, we plan to recruit more Veterans and focus on the experiences of those with more intersectional identities.

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