Investigating the Influence of Architectural Environment in Rehabilitation Facilities on the Psychological Well-being of Military Personnel with PTSD symptoms

Abstract

This article delves into a crucial aspect of this challenge: how the design and layout of physical spaces affect the mental health and overall quality of life of military personnel displaying symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Veterans who have encountered traumatic and life-threatening situations during their service often grapple with emotions like fear, helplessness, and distress. This group is particularly vulnerable to the effects of PTSD, with a significant portion experiencing these symptoms. Recent studies shifted in focus towards understanding and mitigating triggers for PTSD symptoms underscores the importance of investigating how architectural and urban design elements impact the well-being of these individuals. A review of current literature reveals that while progress has been made in understanding the psychological well-being of veterans and the design of rehabilitation centers, much of this research remains fragmented. Existing data mostly pertains to indirect and general guidelines for architectural design and planning. International literature offers a more extensive body of work, encompassing a wide array of aspects related to the creation of stress-reducing environments. It is imperative to consider how various architectural and urban design elements either exacerbate or alleviate PTSD symptoms. Hence, understanding potential connections between these elements and symptom triggers holds critical significance for veterans' well-being. The primary focus of this study involved conducting semi-structured interviews with veterans experiencing PTSD symptoms to identify and formulate recommendations for the design of the interior and exterior environments within rehabilitation facilities. The questionnaire included questions about architectural features that had either positively or negatively affected the veterans' mental well-being. Notably, most of the recommendations derived from previous research align with the preferences expressed by the veterans, considering specific nuances related to the psychological states of individuals following combat experiences. The results underscore the importance of creating a supportive and empathetic social environment that respects the need for privacy (private spaces), fosters transparency and comprehension of the design logic (open spaces), adheres to insulation and acoustic requirements, and incorporates specific structural and interior features in facilities of this kind. Although the study featured a relatively small sample size, the detailed examination of veterans' preferences and their enthusiastic responses validate the relevance of these recommendations. The imperfections found in existing facilities highlight the ongoing necessity for further exploration, additional interviews, and refined proposals for the renovation and reorganization of rehabilitation institutions serving veterans with PTSD symptoms. In summary, this article investigates how architectural environments impact the mental well-being of military personnel with PTSD symptoms. It takes a unique approach by incorporating veterans' own experiences to create recommendations and approaches for designing rehabilitation centers aimed at providing more effective and compassionate support for veterans. This research contributes to an expanding body of knowledge seeking to enhance the well-being and recovery of veterans with PTSD, ultimately aiming for a more comprehensive understanding of the role of architectural design in mental health support.