Annual Warrior Survey 2022
About the Survey
The greatest casualty is being forgotten and the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Annual Warrior Survey reminds us to never forget the service and sacrifice of those who served. As the largest, most comprehensive survey of wounded post-9/11 veterans, it gives warriors a platform to express concerns, voice their needs, and share their successes — ensuring that their voices never fall silent.
This critical data allows WWP to track and treat warriors’ most pressing needs. We share this data to inform the efforts of those who share and support our mission and to urge those with the power to make a difference — to do what’s right.
The video featured here highlights some of the key findings of the 2022 Annual Warrior Survey, providing a glimpse of the robust data found in the full report. Scroll down to explore the findings by topic area.
Data from the WWP Annual Warrior Survey is representative of the 165,967 wounded warriors who were registered with WWP as of April 2022. Detailed information on sampling and methodology can be found in the comprehensive report.
Executive Summary
Read the Full Report
The 2022 Survey
WWP
Warriors:
A 360-Degree
View
Annual Warrior Survey 2022
Key Findings By Area
Financial Wellness
Physical Health
Mental Health
Social Connection
Spiritual Well-being
Wounded Warrior
CHRIS WOLFF
—
“I could have died in the World Trade Center. I could have died in the skies over Iraq. But I didn’t. There’s a different plan for my life. I have purpose again and I know I can find a way to do anything.”
View key findings
Spiritual well-being is related to one’s unique purpose, identity, values, beliefs, and life vision. This can include a person’s approach to life after trauma and finding purpose beyond difficult experiences. For many warriors, purpose and meaning for their life can be unclear after service.
Spiritual Well-Being
Back
Key Findings Among WWP Warriors
Spiritual Well-being
Wounded Warrior
Michael Matthews
—
“Connecting with fellow warriors helps us knock down walls and build each other up. It helps to know we’re not alone in any period of stress or depression.”
View key findings
Finding connection and feeling understood after the transition to civilian life is a common challenge for veterans. Most WWP warriors report that they feel isolated, lack companionship, or feel left out — a stark contrast to the camaraderie that many experience during their time in the military.
Social Connection
Back
Key Findings Among WWP Warriors
Social Connection
Wounded Warrior
Jessica Coulter
—
“Employers didn’t see my military experience as an asset, and they wouldn’t recognize my needs. I found myself living in Section 8 housing with my kids after I’d served my country. Today, I’m a business owner with passion and purpose. WWP helped me get here.”
View key findings
The WWP warrior unemployment rate appears to have made great improvement since 2021 — falling from 13.4% to 6.8%. However, it is still higher than the U.S. veteran and general populations. Despite lower rates of unemployment, financial strain has risen since 2021, with warriors citing an increased cost of goods as the top source of financial strain.
Financial Wellness
Back
Key Findings Among WWP Warriors
Financial Wellness
Wounded Warrior
Donna Pratt
—
"The pain from my injuries can be so debilitating that I don't want to get up in the morning. WWP introduced me to other injured vets who were thriving. That made me realize my injuries weren't a death sentence."
View key findings
The relationship between mind and body is complex and ultimately impacts one’s ability to live life to the fullest. Unfortunately, for many warriors, issues like service-related injuries and chronic pain can make it difficult to get healthy amounts of sleep and physical activity.
Physical
Health &
Wellness
is the strongest indicator of good quality of life
SLEEP
Our analysis shows that sleep is the strongest indicator of good quality of life among warriors.
This suggests that better sleep can lead to improved quality of life.
Sleep and quality of life
Back
Key Findings Among WWP Warriors
Physical Health & Wellness
Wounded Warrior
Chris HOFF
—
"PTSD made me feel like I was drowning. The day I realized I needed help was the day I almost took my own life. If WWP hadn't been there when I finally decided to get help, I don't think I'd still be alive today.”
View key findings
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression continue to rank as top service-related health issues among WWP warriors, and many are experiencing symptoms of multiple mental health issues at once. The proportion of warriors experiencing two or more mental health conditions is three times higher than those experiencing just one.
Mental
Health &
Wellness
reported suicidal thoughts in the last year
Suicidal Thoughts
reported co-occuring mental health conditions
50%
of warriors
co-occurring conditions
reported PTSD
76%
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
Back
Key Findings Among WWP Warriors
Mental
Health &
Wellness
This 360-degree view lays out the basic characteristics that begin to paint a picture of the individuals this survey represents – WWP warriors.
Sex
Education
Average Age
41
Marital Status
Married
Military Status
Active duty
Average Time Out of service
9.5 years
Disability Rating
Hover over the circles to view details.
65%
4%
Have a VA disability rating
92%
Bachelor's degree or higher
42%
FEMale
17%
Explore Insights
Male
83%
50%
presented with moderate to severe symptoms of two or more mental health conditions, like PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression.
reported PTSD and nearly half presented with moderate to severe PTSD symptoms at the time of the survey.
of warriors
76%
reported having suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months.
Of them, 72% had suicidal thoughts in the past two weeks.
of warriors
28%
indicated moderate or severe pain
76%
reported moderate or severe pain. Of them, 50% said they’re “only a little” or “not at all” effective in managing it.
of warriors
76%
chronic pain
reported sleep problems
80%
reported sleep problems, making it the top-reported health issue among warriors in 2022.
of warriors
80%
Sleep Problems
is a top barrier to employment
Mental Health
warriors report mental health or psychological distress as a barrier to employment.
of unemployed
48%
Barriers to employment
struggled to make ends meet in past 12 months
3 IN 5
reported not having enough money to make ends meet sometime in the past year. Top-reported source of financial strain: increased cost of goods.
of warriors
64%
Financial Strain
unemployment rate
6.8%
Despite being more educated, the WWP warrior population faces a higher unemployment rate than the wider U.S. veteran, post-9/11 veteran, and general populations.
Unemployment rate
is associated with lower rates of suicidal thoughs
SOCIAL SUPPORT
Our analysis shows that social support is associated with lower rates of suicidal thoughts among warriors.
Social Support
reported their health interfered with social life
39%
reported their physical health or emotional problems were barriers for social activities most or all the time.
of warriors
39%
Interferance with social activities
reported feeling isolated
4 IN 5
reported feeling isolated, 73% reported feeling left out, and 71% reported that they lack companionship.
of warriors
78%
Feeling Isolated
agreed they tend to recover after hardships
45%
agreed that, often or nearly all of the time, they tend to bounce back after illness, injury, or other hardships.
of warriors
45%
Hardship recovery
average resilience score (out of 8)
4.8
resilience score among warriors.
This indicates moderate levels of resilience.
is the average
4.8
resilience
agreed they have more appreciation for life
35%
agreed that, as a result of their traumatic experiences, they have a greater appreciation for the value of their life.
of warriors
35%
Value of life
Executive Summary
Read the Full Report
Download this year's Annual Warrior Survey report to learn more about the key findings.
Program information
Program information
Program information
Program information
Program information
View insights
Physical Health & Wellness
Financial Wellness
Social Connection
Spiritual Well-being
Scroll down to explore the findings by topic area.
Over
1 IN 4
View past survey results >
See more
Wounded Warrior
Chris HOFF
—
"PTSD made me feel like I was drowning. The day I realized I needed help was the day I almost took my own life. If WWP hadn't been there when I finally decided to get help, I don't think I'd still be alive today.”
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression continue to rank as top service-related health issues among WWP warriors, and many are experiencing symptoms of multiple mental health issues at once. The proportion of warriors experiencing two or more mental health conditions is three times higher than those experiencing just one.
Physical Health & Wellness
Program information
View key findings
of warriors reported having suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months. Of them, 72% had suicidal thoughts in the past two weeks.
of warriors presented with moderate to severe symptoms of two or more mental health conditions, like PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression.
80%
of warriors reported PTSD and nearly half presented with moderate to severe PTSD symptoms at the time of the survey.
76%
Wounded Warrior
Donna Pratt
—
"The pain from my injuries can be so debilitating that I don't want to get up in the morning. WWP introduced me to other injured vets who were thriving. That made me realize my injuries weren't a death sentence."
The relationship between mind and body is complex and ultimately impacts one’s ability to live life to the fullest. Unfortunately, for many warriors, issues like service-related injuries and chronic pain can make it difficult to get healthy amounts of sleep and physical activity.
Financial Wellness
Program information
View key findings
Our analysis shows that sleep is the strongest indicator of good quality of life among warriors.
This suggests that better sleep can lead to improved quality of life.
48%
of warriors reported sleep problems, making it the top-reported health issue among warriors in 2022.
64%
of warriors reported moderate or severe pain. Of them, 50% said they’re “only a little” or “not at all” effective in managing it.
Wounded Warrior
Donna Pratt
—
"The pain from my injuries can be so debilitating that I don't want to get up in the morning. WWP introduced me to other injured vets who were thriving. That made me realize my injuries weren't a death sentence."
The relationship between mind and body is complex and ultimately impacts one’s ability to live life to the fullest. Unfortunately, for many warriors, issues like service-related injuries and chronic pain can make it difficult to get healthy amounts of sleep and physical activity.
Social Connection
Program information
View key findings
Our analysis shows that sleep is the strongest indicator of good quality of life among warriors.
This suggests that better sleep can lead to improved quality of life.
of warriors reported sleep problems, making it the top-reported health issue among warriors in 2022.
39%
of warriors reported moderate or severe pain. Of them, 50% said they’re “only a little” or “not at all” effective in managing it.
78%
Wounded Warrior
Donna Pratt
—
"The pain from my injuries can be so debilitating that I don't want to get up in the morning. WWP introduced me to other injured vets who were thriving. That made me realize my injuries weren't a death sentence."
The relationship between mind and body is complex and ultimately impacts one’s ability to live life to the fullest. Unfortunately, for many warriors, issues like service-related injuries and chronic pain can make it difficult to get healthy amounts of sleep and physical activity.
SPIRITUAL Well-being
Program information
View key findings
Our analysis shows that sleep is the strongest indicator of good quality of life among warriors.
This suggests that better sleep can lead to improved quality of life.
45%
of warriors reported sleep problems, making it the top-reported health issue among warriors in 2022.
4.8
of warriors reported moderate or severe pain. Of them, 50% said they’re “only a little” or “not at all” effective in managing it.
35%
View past survey results >
Annual Warrior Survey 2022
About the Survey
The greatest casualty is being forgotten and the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Annual Warrior Survey reminds us to never forget the service and sacrifice of those who served. As the largest, most comprehensive survey of wounded post-9/11 veterans, it gives warriors a platform to express concerns, voice their needs, and share their successes — ensuring that their voices never fall silent.
This critical data allows WWP to track and treat warriors’ most pressing needs. We share this data to inform the efforts of those who share and support our mission and to urge those with the power to make a difference — to do what’s right.
The video featured here highlights some of the key findings of the 2022 Annual Warrior Survey, providing a glimpse of the robust data found in the full report. Scroll down to explore the findings by topic area.
Data from the WWP Annual Warrior Survey is representative of the 165,967 wounded warriors who were registered with WWP as of April 2022. Detailed information on sampling and methodology can be found in the comprehensive report.
Executive Summary
Read the Full Report
2022
The 2022 Survey
WWP
Warriors:
A 360-Degree
View
2022
Annual Warrior Survey 2022
Key Findings By Area
Financial Wellness
Financial Wellness
Physical Health
Physical Health
Mental Health
Mental Health
Social Connection
Social Connection
Spiritual Well-being
Spiritual Well-being
Wounded Warrior
CHRIS WOLFF
—
“I could have died in the World Trade Center. I could have died in the skies over Iraq. But I didn’t. There’s a different plan for my life. I have purpose again and I know I can find a way to do anything.”
View key findings
Spiritual well-being is related to one’s unique purpose, identity, values, beliefs, and life vision. This can include a person’s approach to life after trauma and finding purpose beyond difficult experiences. For many warriors, purpose and meaning for their life can be unclear after service.
Spiritual Well-Being
Back
Key Findings Among WWP Warriors
Spiritual Well-being
Wounded Warrior
Michael Matthews
—
“Connecting with fellow warriors helps us knock down walls and build each other up. It helps to know we’re not alone in any period of stress or depression.”
View key findings
Finding connection and feeling understood after the transition to civilian life is a common challenge for veterans. Most WWP warriors report that they feel isolated, lack companionship, or feel left out — a stark contrast to the camaraderie that many experience during their time in the military.
Social Connection
Back
Key Findings Among WWP Warriors
Social Connection
Wounded Warrior
Jessica Coulter
—
“Employers didn’t see my military experience as an asset, and they wouldn’t recognize my needs. I found myself living in Section 8 housing with my kids after I’d served my country. Today, I’m a business owner with passion and purpose. WWP helped me get here.”
View key findings
The WWP warrior unemployment rate appears to have made great improvement since 2021 — falling from 13.4% to 6.8%. However, it is still higher than the U.S. veteran and general populations. Despite lower rates of unemployment, financial strain has risen since 2021, with warriors citing an increased cost of goods as the top source of financial strain.
Financial Wellness
Back
Key Findings Among WWP Warriors
Financial Wellness
Wounded Warrior
Donna Pratt
—
"The pain from my injuries can be so debilitating that I don't want to get up in the morning. WWP introduced me to other injured vets who were thriving. That made me realize my injuries weren't a death sentence."
View key findings
The relationship between mind and body is complex and ultimately impacts one’s ability to live life to the fullest. Unfortunately, for many warriors, issues like service-related injuries and chronic pain can make it difficult to get healthy amounts of sleep and physical activity.
Physical
Health &
Wellness
is the strongest indicator of good quality of life
SLEEP
Our analysis shows that sleep is the strongest indicator of good quality of life among warriors.
This suggests that better sleep can lead to improved quality of life.
Sleep and quality of life
Back
Key Findings Among WWP Warriors
Physical Health & Wellness
Wounded Warrior
Chris HOFF
—
"PTSD made me feel like I was drowning. The day I realized I needed help was the day I almost took my own life. If WWP hadn't been there when I finally decided to get help, I don't think I'd still be alive today.”
View key findings
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression continue to rank as top service-related health issues among WWP warriors, and many are experiencing symptoms of multiple mental health issues at once. The proportion of warriors experiencing two or more mental health conditions is three times higher than those experiencing just one.
Mental
Health &
Wellness
reported suicidal thoughts in the last year
Suicidal Thoughts
reported co-occuring mental health conditions
50%
of warriors
co-occurring conditions
reported PTSD
76%
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
Back
Key Findings Among WWP Warriors
Mental
Health &
Wellness
This 360-degree view lays out the basic characteristics that begin to paint a picture of the individuals this survey represents – WWP warriors.
Sex
Education
Average Age
41
Marital Status
Married
Military Status
Active duty
Average Time Out of service
9.5 years
Disability Rating
Hover over the circles to view details.
65%
4%
Have a VA disability rating
92%
Bachelor's degree or higher
42%
FEMale
17%
Explore Insights
Male
83%
50%
presented with moderate to severe symptoms of two or more mental health conditions, like PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression.
reported PTSD and nearly half presented with moderate to severe PTSD symptoms at the time of the survey.
of warriors
76%
reported having suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months.
Of them, 72% had suicidal thoughts in the past two weeks.
of warriors
28%
indicated moderate or severe pain
76%
reported moderate or severe pain. Of them, 50% said they’re “only a little” or “not at all” effective in managing it.
of warriors
76%
chronic pain
reported sleep problems
80%
reported sleep problems, making it the top-reported health issue among warriors in 2022.
of warriors
80%
Sleep Problems
is a top barrier to employment
Mental Health
warriors report mental health or psychological distress as a barrier to employment.
of unemployed
48%
Barriers to employment
struggled to make ends meet in past 12 months
3 IN 5
reported not having enough money to make ends meet sometime in the past year. Top-reported source of financial strain: increased cost of goods.
of warriors
64%
Financial Strain
unemployment rate
6.8%
Despite being more educated, the WWP warrior population faces a higher unemployment rate than the wider U.S. veteran, post-9/11 veteran, and general populations.
Unemployment rate
is associated with lower rates of suicidal thoughs
SOCIAL SUPPORT
Our analysis shows that social support is associated with lower rates of suicidal thoughts among warriors.
Social Support
reported their health interfered with social life
39%
reported their physical health or emotional problems were barriers for social activities most or all the time.
of warriors
39%
Interferance with social activities
reported feeling isolated
4 IN 5
reported feeling isolated, 73% reported feeling left out, and 71% reported that they lack companionship.
of warriors
78%
Feeling Isolated
agreed they tend to recover after hardships
45%
agreed that, often or nearly all of the time, they tend to bounce back after illness, injury, or other hardships.
of warriors
45%
Hardship recovery
average resilience score (out of 8)
4.8
resilience score among warriors.
This indicates moderate levels of resilience.
is the average
4.8
resilience
agreed they have more appreciation for life
35%
agreed that, as a result of their traumatic experiences, they have a greater appreciation for the value of their life.
of warriors
35%
Value of life
Executive Summary
Read the Full Report
Download this year's Annual Warrior Survey report to learn more about the key findings.
Sign up to get notified of future studies
Program information
Program information
Program information
Program information
Program information
View insights
Physical Health & Wellness
Financial Wellness
Social Connection
Spiritual Well-being
Scroll down to explore the findings by topic area.
Over
1 IN 4
View past survey results >
See more
Wounded Warrior
Chris HOFF
—
"PTSD made me feel like I was drowning. The day I realized I needed help was the day I almost took my own life. If WWP hadn't been there when I finally decided to get help, I don't think I'd still be alive today.”
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression continue to rank as top service-related health issues among WWP warriors, and many are experiencing symptoms of multiple mental health issues at once. The proportion of warriors experiencing two or more mental health conditions is three times higher than those experiencing just one.
Physical Health & Wellness
Program information
View key findings
of warriors reported having suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months. Of them, 72% had suicidal thoughts in the past two weeks.
of warriors presented with moderate to severe symptoms of two or more mental health conditions, like PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression.
80%
of warriors reported PTSD and nearly half presented with moderate to severe PTSD symptoms at the time of the survey.
76%
Wounded Warrior
Donna Pratt
—
"The pain from my injuries can be so debilitating that I don't want to get up in the morning. WWP introduced me to other injured vets who were thriving. That made me realize my injuries weren't a death sentence."
The relationship between mind and body is complex and ultimately impacts one’s ability to live life to the fullest. Unfortunately, for many warriors, issues like service-related injuries and chronic pain can make it difficult to get healthy amounts of sleep and physical activity.
Financial Wellness
Program information
View key findings
Our analysis shows that sleep is the strongest indicator of good quality of life among warriors.
This suggests that better sleep can lead to improved quality of life.
48%
of warriors reported sleep problems, making it the top-reported health issue among warriors in 2022.
64%
of warriors reported moderate or severe pain. Of them, 50% said they’re “only a little” or “not at all” effective in managing it.
Wounded Warrior
Donna Pratt
—
"The pain from my injuries can be so debilitating that I don't want to get up in the morning. WWP introduced me to other injured vets who were thriving. That made me realize my injuries weren't a death sentence."
The relationship between mind and body is complex and ultimately impacts one’s ability to live life to the fullest. Unfortunately, for many warriors, issues like service-related injuries and chronic pain can make it difficult to get healthy amounts of sleep and physical activity.
Social Connection
Program information
View key findings
Our analysis shows that sleep is the strongest indicator of good quality of life among warriors.
This suggests that better sleep can lead to improved quality of life.
of warriors reported sleep problems, making it the top-reported health issue among warriors in 2022.
39%
of warriors reported moderate or severe pain. Of them, 50% said they’re “only a little” or “not at all” effective in managing it.
78%
Wounded Warrior
Donna Pratt
—
"The pain from my injuries can be so debilitating that I don't want to get up in the morning. WWP introduced me to other injured vets who were thriving. That made me realize my injuries weren't a death sentence."
The relationship between mind and body is complex and ultimately impacts one’s ability to live life to the fullest. Unfortunately, for many warriors, issues like service-related injuries and chronic pain can make it difficult to get healthy amounts of sleep and physical activity.
SPIRITUAL Well-being
Program information
View key findings
Our analysis shows that sleep is the strongest indicator of good quality of life among warriors.
This suggests that better sleep can lead to improved quality of life.
45%
of warriors reported sleep problems, making it the top-reported health issue among warriors in 2022.
4.8
of warriors reported moderate or severe pain. Of them, 50% said they’re “only a little” or “not at all” effective in managing it.
35%
View past survey results >
2022
Annual Warrior Survey
2022
Annual Warrior Survey
View data.