https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-MariniEtAl2021

Marini, C. M., Basinger, E. D., Monk, J. K., McCall, C. E., & MacDermid Wadsworth, S. M. (2022). Military couples’ experiences in the aftermath of a cancelled deployment. Family Process, 61(4), 1577-1592. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12747

28 military couples (comprised of an Army National Guard Service member and their partner) were interviewed to discuss their reactions to the cancellation of an upcoming deployment. Reactions were classified as positive (n=21 individuals), negative (n=24), or ambivalent (n=11). Differences between these reactions were connected to deployment appraisals (i.e., general view of deployment), deployment preparations, and cancellation impacts on family timelines.

https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12747

Couples
Deployment

Army

Guard

Guard/Reserve member
Spouse of service member or veteran

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Cross-Sectional Study
Qualitative Study
Secondary Analysis

Marini, Christina M., Basinger, Erin D., Monk, James K., McCall, Christine E., MacDermid Wadsworth, Shelley M.

Deployment requires considerable preparation for military families and changes to these plans may create notable stress. The current study leveraged data from a sample of military couples who experienced the cancellation of an overseas deployment to learn more about their experiences as they adjusted to this change. Guided by family stress and anticipatory stress perspectives, we analyzed qualitative data from 28 service members and their significant others (i.e., spouses or cohabitating partners) to understand their overall reactions to the deployment cancellation. We identified three overall reactions (positive, negative, and ambivalent) that were based on participants' appraisals of-and preparations for-deployment, as well as ambiguity about family roles and relationships. Further, participants across groups experienced uncertainty about whether or not the deployment would occur, and altered timelines for other life events. Together, our findings highlight the post-cancellation period as a significant time of stress and transition for military families. However, our findings also signify the need to help all military families cope with uncertainty about when or if deployments will occur given that the military's priorities are often in flux. We therefore describe coping efforts that may be particularly adaptive for families to engage in as they prepare for uncertain, anticipated stressors.

John Wiley & Sons

Article
REACH Publication

Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University, CMM
Department of Communication Studies, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, EDB
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri, JKM
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, CEM
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, SMMW