Background
Service personnel, discharged after suffering trauma, experience further stress re-engaging with civilian life. They often suffer from mental health issues, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research around posttraumatic growth (PTG) suggests that the struggle after trauma can lead to positive psychological changes. Physical activity is known to improve wellbeing especially in natural environments, and has been identified as a facilitator of PTG.
Scuba diving, is a physical activity in natural blue space, and it is suggested that it could offer benefits to people who are dealing with the aftermath of trauma. Although previous studies examine physical and medical effects of diving, there is little research exploring individual experiences of therapeutic diving in ex-Service personnel.
Hypotheses/Research Questions
This study aims to fill a gap in the research body, by exploring the experience of scuba diving and its role in PTG in ex-Servicemen who have experienced trauma. It asks whether scuba diving is just another physical activity, albeit in bluespace, or whether there is something more.
Sample Characteristics and Sample Size
The participants were five male ex-service personnel who had suffered a life-altering trauma; had a diagnosis of PTSD; identified with posttraumatic growth; and had received dive training through Deptherapy, a UK charity.
Design
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was carried out utilising semi-structured interviews. Interviews were recorded and manually transcribed in their entirety before the researcher analysed data, into themes.
Results
Four main themes of Human connection; Meaningful leisure; Embodiment; and The Calm emerged, each with two to three subordinate themes.
Scientific Contribution
This is one of the first studies on the experience of scuba diving in people with PTSD. It introduces the concept of The Calm, which includes a relief of PTSD symptoms and relief from anxiety that is felt instantly by the participants.