Determinants of health-promoting behaviors in military spouses during deployment separation
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Padden, D. L., Connors, R. A., & Agazio, J. G. (2011). Determinants of health-promoting behaviors in military spouses during deployment separation. Military Medicine, 176(1), 26-34. https://doi.org/10.7205/milmed-d-d1-000141
Abstract Created by REACH:
Through self-reported surveys, researchers examined what factors (perceived stress, number of work hours, number of children, etc.) affected the involvement of health-promoting behaviors (exercise, dietary, medical check-ups, substance avoidance, etc.) for wives of deployed Active Duty Army Soldiers. Stress was linked to several health behaviors and as lengths of deployments increased, wives' positive health behaviors decreased.
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Physical health
Substance use
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Methodology:
Cross-Sectional Study
Authors:
Padden, Diane L., Connors, Rebecca A., Agazio, Janice G.
Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to describe predictors of participation in health-promoting behaviors among military spouses. A total of 105 female spouses of currently deployed active duty military members were surveyed to determine their perceived stress and participation in the health-promoting behaviors of exercise, diet, checkups, substance use/avoidance, social behaviors, stress management/rest, and safety/environmental behaviors. Demographic and deployment information was also collected. Regression analyses showed perceived stress was predictive of several health behaviors including exercise, social behaviors, stress management/rest, and safety/environmental behaviors. Increased perceived stress was associated with decreased participation in these behaviors. Deployment factors predicted only dietary behaviors and stress management/rest. As the minimum anticipated length of the deployment increased, healthy dietary behavior decreased. Likewise, as the number of deployments experienced increased, stress management and rest decreased. Stress brought on by military deployment may have detrimental effects upon participation in a health-promoting lifestyle.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Association of Military Surgeons
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Uniformed Services University, Graduate School of Nursing, DLP
Uniformed Services University, Graduate School of Nursing, RAC
The Catholic University of America, School of Nursing, JGA
Keywords:
stress (psychology), military spouses, health promotion, diet, health behavior
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary