Draft of an integrative model on coping and defence of former soldiers in the German Armed Forces

Compared to the profound knowledge about the experiences and needs of American soldiers, in Germany the level of knowledge on mental health and coping mechanisms of active soldiers in the German Armed Forces (GAF) is relatively limited. Even less is known about former soldiers who are no longer on active duty and who, in the majority of cases, have become part of the German public healthcare system after discharge from the military. The aim of the pilot study was the identification and presentation of the coping and defence mechanisms of former GAF soldiers by using methodically structured, qualitative data collection. For this purpose, 43 interviews with former soldiers were conducted, transcribed and thematically analyzed. The coping and defence mechanisms identified were assigned to the areas of behavior, relationship, emotion, contemplation and time and visualized as an axis model. By consciously synthesizing cognitive-behavioral and psychoanalytical perspectives, it was possible to create a differentiated picture and develop an independent, integrative model across psychotherapeutic school boundaries to illustrate the conscious and unconscious coping with traumatic experiences.