'It's nice to just be you': The influence of the employment experiences of UK military spouses during accompanied postings on well-being. Issue 1 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gribble, Rachael; Goodwin, Laura; Oram, Sian; Fear, Nicola T
• Is Part Of: Health psychology open. Volume 6:Issue 1(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: health and well-being -- military spouses -- occupational health -- qualitative methods -- women's employment; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/2055102919838909
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-1029

Abstract

Repeated military relocations (accompanied postings) can have a detrimental effect on employment and well-being among the spouses and partners of military personnel. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 19 spouses of British Army/Royal Air Force personnel with recent experience of accompanied postings to explore this issue through the lens of self-determination theory; all were married women with at least one child. Participants explained how employment contributed to an independent identity, enabling social connectedness, providing a sense of self-confidence and value but limiting agency over employment decisions. Spouse employment, and therefore, well-being could be improved by the provision of better childcare access or additional support in finding employment and training opportunities.