Families serve too: military spouse well-being after separation from active-duty service. Issue 5 (3rd September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Corry, Nida H.; Joneydi, Rayan; McMaster, Hope S.; Williams, Christianna S.; Glynn, Shirley; Spera, Christopher; Stander, Valerie A.
• Is Part Of: Anxiety, stress, and coping. Volume 35:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 501
• Page End: 517
• Publication Date: 2022-09-03
• Subjects: Well-being -- transition -- military spouses -- health -- military family; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Anxiety -- Research -- Periodicals; Anxiety -- periodicals; Stress -- periodicals; Adaptation, Psychological -- periodicals; 616.8522
• DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2022.2038788
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1061-5806

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background and Objectives: Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging for families, but most research focuses only on the service member. We applied a life course model to assess spouse well-being following this important transition. Design: Prospective, longitudinal survey of service members and their spouses Methods: We captured three spouse well-being domains: psychological health, physical health, and family relationships. We identified differences between families who separated from service and those still affiliated ( N = 4, 087) and assessed baseline factors associated with spouse well-being after the family separated from service ( N = 1, 199). Results: Spouses of service members who had separated from the military (versus those who had not) reported poorer mental health and family relationship quality at baseline and follow-up. After controlling for baseline differences, spouses whose families transitioned experienced a greater increase in PTSD symptoms and a steeper decline in quality of marriage. Spouses of active-duty service members reported greater increases in work–family conflict. Among families who had transitioned, the most consistent predictor of positive outcomes was baseline well-being. Protective factors included having more psychological and social resources and less financial stress. Conclusions: Several protective and risk factors identified in the study may inform programming for families transitioning from active duty.