Reintegration and Decent Work Among United States Veterans: Impact of Marginalization, Social Support, and Career Adaptability
The Career Development Quarterly
Published online on March 10, 2026
Abstract
["The Career Development Quarterly, Volume 74, Issue 1, Page 2-10, March 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\nUnited States (US) military veterans face challenges when reintegrating into civilian society. Among these difficulties often exist barriers for veterans in navigating work and career experiences. This study tested factors that may contribute to experiences of decent work and reintegration in a sample of 90 US veterans. Utilizing the Psychology of Working Theory as a framework, veterans' social support was hypothesized to moderate the relationship between veterans' experiences of marginalization and decent work. Additionally, decent work was examined as a potential mediator in the association between veterans' career adaptability and reintegration. Separate moderation and mediation models were tested to examine the study's hypotheses. Results did not find social support to moderate the relationship between marginalization and decent work. However, decent work significantly and partially mediated the relationship between career adaptability and reintegration. Interpretation of these findings in the context of the literature is discussed, as well as implications for practice and theory, limitations, and future directions.\n"]