Comparison of social and economic stress in military and civilian families: A rapid review of the evidence
APA Citation:
Jiang, H., Dowling, R., Hameed, M., Painter, F., Vuong, A., Booth, A., Opie, J., Boh, J., McLean, N., & McIntosh, J. E. (2022). Comparison of social and economic stress in military and civilian families: A rapid review of the evidence. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 10(11), Article 11. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2022.1011022
Focus:
Other
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Military families
Civilian
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Review of Literature
Authors:
Jiang, Heng, Dowling, Rowan, Hameed, Mohajer, Painter, Felicity, Vuong, An, Booth, Anna, Opie, Jessica, Boh, Jessica, McLean, Natalie, McIntosh, Jennifer E.
Abstract:
Although many military families demonstrate resilience and strength, research highlights that military service may impact the health and wellbeing of families. In comparison with civilian families, military families are embedded within a broader military context and culture which may influence many aspects of family life, including socioeconomic status and social participation. This rapid review utilised a systematic methodology to synthesise the evidence of comparing possible differences of the socioeconomic and social participation of military families with civilian families. Relevant online databases such as Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL and ProQuest Central were searched for articles published between January 2000 and February 2022. After screening 3057 articles, five studies were included for analysis. The results highlight considerable income, education and employment gaps between current serving military and civilian spouses. An association was found between social, economic status and increased risk of violence or assaults in military families. Specifically, younger age and decline in health status were key predictors of domestic violence assaults in military families. This review highlights emerging evidence and recommends further Australian-based research with military families. Policy, research, and practice implications are discussed with consideration to preventative interventions tailored towards strengthening health, wellbeing, and socio-economic status of military families.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Scientific Research
Publication Type:
Article
Author Affiliation:
Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, Department of Public Health, School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, HJ
Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, Department of Public Health, School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, RD
Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, HJ
The Bouverie Centre, School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, MH
The Bouverie Centre, School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, FP
The Bouverie Centre, School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, AV
The Bouverie Centre, School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, AB
The Bouverie Centre, School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, JO
The Bouverie Centre, School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, JEM
Defence, NM
Defence, JB
Keywords:
military, family, civilian, social and economic outcomes, rapid review
Sponsors:
This review is funded by the Australian Government Department of Defence (SON3352211). RD is currently supported by a Research Training Program Scholarship funded by the Australian Federal Government. HJ and RD’s research is funded by ARC Discovery Project Grant (DP200101781).