This article introduces and demonstrates the use of an integrated life course systems perspective to advance the study of the aging processes of couples in enduring relationships. This objective is accomplished by bridging the life course and systems perspectives to conceptualize the couple as a functioning system and to locate couple dynamics within a longitudinal life course context in order to identify multilevel relational mechanisms that explain partners' aging outcomes in their broader socioeconomic and longitudinal context. Informed by this integrated theoretical perspective, testable hypotheses related to aging processes are derived, and analytical methodologies that can advance the research on couple aging processes are demonstrated. Identifying these relationship-health processes and contextual considerations provides insight into leverage points for the development and implementation of prevention and intervention efforts to facilitate positive aging outcomes. Directions for further theoretical and analytical advances in the area of couple aging are discussed.
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Library (40)
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1 Aging together in enduring couple relationships: A life course systems perspective
Aging together in enduring couple relationships: A life course systems perspective
APA Citation:
Wickrama, K. (K. A. S. ), O’Neal, C. W., & Lee, T. K. (2020). Aging together in enduring couple relationships: A life course systems perspective. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 12(2), 238–263. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12369
Focus:
Couples
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
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Research
Wickrama, Kandauda; O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Lee, Tae Kyoung
2020
2 Differences in employment-related outcomes across paid and unpaid internships
Differences in employment-related outcomes across paid and unpaid internships
APA Citation:
Frye-Cox, N., Tidwell, A., Wendling, S. B, Bell, Allison, & O'Neal, Catherine W. (2020). Differences in employment-related outcomes across paid and unpaid internships. Auburn, AL: Military REACH
Focus:
Other
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research Report
Frye-Cox, Nick; Tidwell, Allison; Wendling, Sara Beth; Bell, Allison; O’Neal, Catherine Walker
2020
Retaining high-quality employees: Contextual considerations and strategies for facilitating retention within child care settings
APA Citation:
Quichocho, D., Lucier-Greer, M., Nichols, L. R., O’Neal, C. W. (2019). Retaining high-quality employees: Contextual considerations and strategies for facilitating retention within child care settings. Auburn, AL: Military REACH
Focus:
Other
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
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Research Report
Quichocho, Davina; Lucier-Greer, Mallory; Nichols, Lucy; O’Neal, Catherine Walker
2019
4 Military-related stress and family well-being among active duty Army families
Military-related stress and family well-being among active duty Army families
APA Citation:
O’Neal, C. W., & Lavner, J. A. (2021). Military-related stress and family well-being among active duty Army families. Family Relations, 70(4), 1280-1295. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12561
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Parents
Youth
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Lavner, Justin A.
2021
Objective To examine associations between objective (i.e., rank, time away for deployment, combat deployments) and subjective (i.e., difficulty coping with military life) military-related stressors and multiple domains of family well-being, including marital interactions, marital quality, parenting quality, and family functioning. Background Military-related stressors are associated with individual well-being, but less is known about associations with family well-being. Method Dyadic data from 266 active duty (AD) service members and their civilian partners were used to test a structural equation model examining associations between objective and subjective military-related stressors and both partners' ratings of couple functioning (marital quality, marital interactions), parenting quality, and family functioning. Results For both partners, difficulty coping with military life was significantly associated with perceptions of multiple dimensions of family well-being. Rank, time away for deployment, and number of combat deployments were not significantly associated with any of the family well-being variables. Conclusion Subjective, but not objective, indicators of military-related stress were robustly associated with family well-being for AD and civilian partners. Implications These findings call attention to the importance of understanding subjective experiences of military-related stress for both AD and civilian partners. Policy and program considerations to improve military family members' coping abilities and enhance their family well-being are discussed.
5 Serving military and veteran families: Theories, research, and application
Serving military and veteran families: Theories, research, and application
APA Citation:
Blaisure, K. R., Marini, C. M., Saathoff-Wells, T., Walker O’Neal, C., Lucier-Greer, M., Dombro, A. L., Pereira, A., & Wadsworth, S. M. (2023). Serving military and veteran families: Theories, research, and application (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003035954/serving-military-veteran-families-karen-rose-blaisure-tara-saathoff-wells-angela-pereira-shelley-macdermid-wadsworth-amy-laura-dombro-christina-marini-catherine-walker-neal-mallory-lucier-greer
Focus:
Children
Youth
Mental health
Physical health
Veterans
Programming
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Guard
Reserve
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)
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Book
Blaisure, Karen Rose; Marini, Chrisitna M.; Saathoff-Wells, Tara; Walker O'Neal, Catherine; Lucier-Greer, Mallory; Dombro, Amy Laura; Pereira, Angela; Wadsworth, Shelley MacDermid
2023
Serving Military Families introduces readers to the unique culture of military families, their resilience, and the challenges of military life. It reviews the latest research, theories, policies, and programs to prepare readers for understanding and working with military families. It also offers practical knowledge about the challenges that come with military family life and the federal policies, laws, programs, and policies that support military and veteran families. Boasting a new full-color design and rich with pedagogy, the text also includes several boxed elements in each chapter: "Spotlight on Research" highlights researchers who study military and veteran families with the goal of informing and enriching the work of family support professionals. "Voices from the Frontline" presents the real-life stories of support program leaders, practitioners, researchers, policy makers, and most importantly service members and veterans and their families. "Tips from the Frontline" offers concrete, hands-on suggestions based on the experiences and wisdom of the people featured in the text and the broader research and practice communities.
6 Latent profiles of postdeployment reintegration among service members and their partners
Latent profiles of postdeployment reintegration among service members and their partners
APA Citation:
O’Neal, C. W., & Lavner, J. A. (2022). Latent profiles of postdeployment reintegration among service members and their partners. Journal of Family Psychology. 36(1), 35–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/fam0000894
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Lavner, Justin A.
2022
Consistent with the emotional cycle of deployment, postdeployment reintegration is often a time of highs and lows as service members (SMs) and their families adjust to their new normal. However, few studies have considered the nuances of reintegration, specifically the various patterns of personal and family reintegration experiences that may exist. The present study uses latent profile analysis to identify unique reintegration patterns along four dimensions (i.e., positive personal, negative personal, positive family, and negative family reintegration) for SMs (N = 236) and a subsample of their civilian partners (N = 141). Differences among the resulting reintegration profiles were also examined for demographics, military-related characteristics, psychosocial characteristics, and individual and family functioning. Three profile groups with varying reintegration experiences emerged for SMs, and two groups emerged for civilian partners. For both SMs and their civilian partners, one profile (39.0% of SMs and 63.8% of civilian partners) was characterized by high positive family and personal reintegration and low negative family and personal reintegration. Other groups reported moderate to high positive and negative family and personal reintegration. SMs and civilian partners with the most favorable reintegration profile reported greater family cohesion. For SMs, differences in sleep were also reported across the reintegration profiles, whereas, for civilian partners, differences in depressive symptoms emerged across the reintegration profiles. Few group differences emerged for demographics, military-related characteristics, and psychosocial characteristics. Findings highlight important variability in military families' experiences within the reintegration stage of the deployment cycle. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
7 Worried, concerned and untroubled: Antecedents and consequences of youth worry
Worried, concerned and untroubled: Antecedents and consequences of youth worry
APA Citation:
O'Neal, C. W., Mallette, J. K., Lanier, A. R., Mancini, J. A., & Huebner, A. J. (2016). Worried, concerned and untroubled: Antecedents and consequences of youth worry. Child & Family Social Work, 22(2). 801-812. doi:10.1111/cfs.12298
Focus:
Children
Mental health
Youth
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Mallette, Jacquelyn K.; Lanier, Audrey R.; Mancini, Jay A.; Huebner, Angela J.
2017
Using a pattern-based approach, worry was explored in relation to military youths' developmental and contextual characteristics, and pivotal outcomes (depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, well-being, coping styles, academic performance and deployment adjustment). Data were collected from parents and adolescents, age 11 to 18, living in the USA (n = 273 families). Variations in individual characteristics (age and gender), military family factors (rank, recent deployment, parents' resilient coping abilities) and family relational characteristics (parents' marital status, warm parenting, marital quality) were related to heterogeneous worry typologies. Depressive symptoms, self-efficacy and well-being, varied across the worry typologies. Implications are drawn from these findings for identifying potential interventions that can be accessed to modify these worry patterns and limit their harmful effects.
Contextualizing the psychosocial well-being of military members and their partners: The importance of community and relationship provisions
APA Citation:
O’Neal, C. W., Mancini, J. A., & DeGraff, A. (2016). Contextualizing the psychosocial well-being of military members and their partners: The importance of community and relationship provisions. American Journal of Community Psychology. http://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12097
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Mancini, Jay A.; DeGraff, Alycia
2016
Evidence of the impact of communities has been documented for a variety of individual and relational outcomes, including mental and physical health as well as the quality of romantic and parent–child relationships. The military represents a rather unique work context; in that, it is generally considered a lifestyle with a distinct culture and community. Yet, military families are also members of their broader, comprehensive community. Drawing from the social organizational theory of action and change (SOC) (Mancini & Bowen, 2013), and relationship provisions theory (Weiss, 1969) and utilizing a sample of 266 active duty military families, this study examined connectedness with the military community and the broader, comprehensive community. A dyadic model was evaluated whereby each partner's perspective of their comprehensive and military community was hypothesized to influence their own psychosocial well-being as well as their partner's psychosocial well-being. The role of relationship provisions (that is, having relationship needs met) as a mechanism linking community connections to psychosocial well-being was also examined. Overall, the findings supported the hypothesized model, particularly for intra-individual effects and military members. Findings emphasize the importance of considering what is gained from connections within a community rather than a focus solely on the connections themselves.
9 Toward a framework for military family life education: Culture, context, content, and practice
Toward a framework for military family life education: Culture, context, content, and practice
APA Citation:
Mancini, J. A., O’Neal, C. W., & Lucier-Greer, M. (2020). Toward a framework for military family life education: Culture, context, content, and practice. Family Relations, 69, 644-661. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12426
Focus:
Programming
Other
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Navy
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Reserve
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)
Very old (85 yrs & older)
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Research & Summary
Mancini, Jay A.; O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Lucier‐Greer, Mallory
2020
Grounded in multiple ways of thinking about families, we propose a beginning framework for developing and implementing military family life education. We first situate this work within the context of established family life education frameworks. Then, we discuss features of military culture, including its contexts and demands on families, to highlight the realities of life as a military family and underscore available strengths that family life educators may build upon. This is followed by a discussion of family science theories emphasizing components that can inform and ground military family life education. Next, we draw on lessons from recent comprehensive reviews of programs, including their merits and demerits. Finally, we cite example programs, including those embedded in military family support systems themselves, and resources that are available to family life educators. Ultimately, we propose a set of ideas that inform a framework for developing and implementing military family life education aligned with the realities of family life as well as the vulnerabilities and the resilience of military families.
10 Relationship provisions, self-efficacy and youth well-being in military families
Relationship provisions, self-efficacy and youth well-being in military families
APA Citation:
Mancini, J. A., Bowen, G. L., O’Neal, C. W., & Arnold, A. L. (2015). Relationship provisions, self-efficacy, and youth well-being in military families. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 40, 17-25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2015.02.003
Focus:
Mental health
Youth
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Mancini, Jay A.; Bowen, Gary L.; O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Arnold, Amy Laura
2015
Anchored in the social organization theory of action and change (Mancini & Bowen, 2013), this empirical analysis of military youth examines relationship provisions as related to youth outcomes of anxiety, depressive symptoms, personal well-being, and academic performance. Data were collected from parents and their adolescents, ages 11–18, living in the continental United States (N=273 military families). Findings from this analysis of military youth indicated that the relationship provisions available to youth were implicated in more positive youth outcomes, and self-efficacy served as a mechanism linking relationship provisions to anxiety and school performance but not to depression and personal well-being. Policy and practice implications are provided, including the importance of establishing and sustaining youth programs and community initiatives that build on natural, informal networks.
The contribution of stressful marital interactions to loneliness and health across mid-life and later adulthood
APA Citation:
O’Neal, C. W., & Wickrama, K. (2021). The contribution of stressful marital interactions to loneliness and health across mid-life and later adulthood. Journal of Family Issues, 42(3), 553–570. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X20921927
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Physical health
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)
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Research
O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Wickrama, Kandauda K. A. S.
2021
Although past research has noted longitudinal, and sometimes bi-directional, associations between marital interactions, loneliness, and physical health, previous work has not identified long-term associations and differential associations over life-course stages (i.e., mid-life and later adulthood). Utilizing a life-course stress process perspective and a sample of 250 couples in enduring marriages over 17 years (2001-2017), a structural equation model within a dyadic framework assessed the unique influences of stressful marital interactions on loneliness and physical health and the variation in bi-directional influences of loneliness and physical health over time. Marital interactions were relatively stable across life stages, yet marital interactions appear to influence loneliness and physical health. Notable distinctions were evident across life stages (from mid-life to later adulthood and then within later adulthood). Findings are discussed with an emphasis on the implications for health promotion and prevention programs targeting couples' quality of life in later years.
The significance of military contexts and culture for understanding family well-being: Parent life satisfaction and adolescent outcomes
APA Citation:
DeGraff, A. N., O'Neal, C. W., & Mancini, J. A. (2016). The significance of military contexts and culture for understanding family well-being: Parent life satisfaction and adolescent outcomes. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(10), 3022-3033. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-016-0471-0
Focus:
Children
Other
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
DeGraff, Alycia N.; O’Neal, Catherine Walker; Mancini, Jay A.
2016
Formal systems and informal networks are presumed to be significant contexts that affect military families. Their effects on both parents and adolescents in active duty military families are examined (N = 236 families). Social organization and contextual model of family stress theories are employed as frameworks for the analyses of how dimensions of military culture influence parents’ life satisfaction, as well as key developmental outcomes of their adolescents (for example, mental health). Key findings from our analyses included a positive relationship between parents support from military leaders and fellow soldiers and parental well-being findings revealed the importance of civilian parents’ satisfaction with military life on adolescent outcomes for families that have experienced stressful military contexts. These findings provide support for the significance of multiple contexts for understanding resilience among military members and their families.
13 Money matters in marriage: Financial concerns, warmth, and hostility among military couples
Money matters in marriage: Financial concerns, warmth, and hostility among military couples
APA Citation:
Ross, D. B., O'Neal, C. W., Arnold, A. L., & Mancini, J. A. (2017). Money matters in marriage: Financial concerns, warmth, and hostility among military couples. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 38(4), 572–581. doi:10.1007/s10834-017-9522-y
Focus:
Couples
Other
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Ross, Donald B.; O’Neal, Catherine Walker; Arnold, Amy L.; Mancini, Jay A.
2017
The effects of military couples’ (N = 219) financial management concerns on marital quality were investigated using an actor-partner interdependence model based on the family stress model. The influence of the mediating role of warm and hostile marital interactions was also investigated after accounting for multiple indicators of the military context, which are usually significant in the lives of military families. Individuals with higher levels of concern about financial management expressed less warmth and more hostility towards their partner. In turn, individuals exhibiting higher levels of warmth had spouses who reported greater marital quality.
14 Understanding inclusion in child care and youth programs
Understanding inclusion in child care and youth programs
APA Citation:
Gregg, K., Golembiewski, K., O’Neal, C. W., Farnsworth, M., & Lucier-Greer, M. (2018). Understanding Inclusion in Child Care and Youth Programs. Auburn, AL: Military REACH.
Focus:
Children
Programming
Mental health
Physical health
Youth
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Preschool age (2 -5 yrs)
School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
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Research Report
Gregg, Katy; Golembiewski, Kevin; O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Farnsworth, Meredith; Lucier-Greer, Mallory
2018
15 Community-based assistance for victims of domestic violence
Community-based assistance for victims of domestic violence
APA Citation:
O’Neal, C. W., Nichols, L. R., Quichocho, D., Herren, C., & Lucier-Greer, M. (2018). Community-based assistance for victims of domestic violence. Auburn, AL: Military REACH.
Focus:
Couples
Programming
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Navy
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Research Report
O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Nichols, Lucy; Quichocho, Davina; Herren, Claire; Lucier-Greer, Mallory
2018
Problematic sexual behavior among children and youth: Considerations for reporting, assessment, and treatment
APA Citation:
Lucier-Greer, M., Nichols, L. R., Peterson, C., Burke, B., Quichocho, D., & O’Neal, C.W. (2018). Problematic sexual behavior among children and youth: Considerations for reporting, assessment, and treatment. Auburn, AL: Military REACH.
Focus:
Children
Youth
Parents
Programming
Child maltreatment
Trauma
Mental health
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Neonatal (birth - 1 mo)
Infancy (2 - 23 mo)
Preschool age (2 -5 yrs)
School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
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Research Report
Lucier-Greer, Mallory; Nichols, Lucy; Peterson, Clairee; Burke, Benjamin; Quichocho, Davina; O'Neal, Catherine Walker
2018
17 A review of evidence-based strategies to help military families navigate deployment
A review of evidence-based strategies to help military families navigate deployment
APA Citation:
Frye-Cox, N., White, M. L., O’Neal, C. W., & Lucier-Greer, M. (2022). A review of evidence-based strategies to help military families navigate deployment. Auburn, AL: Military REACH
Focus:
Children
Youth
Parents
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Reserve
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research Report
Frye-Cox, Nicky; White, Micaela L.; O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Lucier-Greer, Mallory
2022
Translating discovery science: Delivering online, asynchronous financial education to service members at career and personal life transitions
APA Citation:
O’Neal, C. W., Lucier-Greer, M., Peterson, C., & McKay, B. (2023). Translating discovery science: Delivering online, asynchronous financial education to service members at career and personal life transitions. Family Relations. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12966
Focus:
Programming
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Lucier-Greer, Mallory; Peterson, Clairee; McKay, Brian
2023
Objective Grounded in the Kirkpatrick and Kirkpatrick model of evaluation, we examine multiple dimensions of military service members' reactions to six online, asynchronous financial family life education efforts. Background Using a “just-in-time” training model, financial literacy trainings that correspond to key family and career transitions were congressionally mandated for all service members. Program evaluation efforts are ongoing to assess training merit and inform training improvements. Method The six specific trainings evaluated occurred when service members were relocating, returning from deployment, receiving a promotion, getting married, getting divorced, and the birth of a first child. We explored various dimensions of training reactions, including training topics that were perceived as most beneficial at certain life stages or transitions; the perceptions of the trainings' quality, relevance, and impact; and finally, the likelihood of them sharing that information with their significant other. Data were collected between July 2021 and June 2023. Results Overall, service members perceived the trainings as high quality, relevant, and impactful, and most service members were likely to share the information with their spouse. Some differences were seen by demographic groups, such that trainees who were enlisted (compared to officers), identified as African American (compared to White), and had a high school diploma or associate's degree (compared to a more advanced degree) typically reported more favorable reactions. Conclusion and Implications Actionable strategies are provided to support service members and inform the development and evaluation of other family life education programs, particularly online, asynchronous training and financial-focused training.
Military adolescents' experiences of change and discontinuity: Associations with psychosocial factors and school success
APA Citation:
O'Neal, C. W., Peterson, C., & Mancini, J. A. (2023). Military adolescents' experiences of change and discontinuity: Associations with psychosocial factors and school success. Family Relations, 72(3), 1118-1137. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12740
Focus:
Youth
Mental health
Deployment
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
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Research & Summary
O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Peterson, Clairee; Mancini, Jay A.
2023
Objective Drawing from the contextual model of family stress, social support and depressive symptoms were examined as two psychosocial factors that may link experiences of change and discontinuity common to military families to military adolescents' school success (i.e., academic achievement, school engagement, and homework commitment). Background Many military adolescents experience frequent changes that create discontinuity (e.g., parental deployments, relocations) and can impact their school success. Research has not examined psychosocial factors as a possible mechanism explaining the link between family change and discontinuity and adolescents' school success. Method A path model based on 821 military adolescents' responses examined how experiences of family discontinuity were associated with adolescents' psychosocial factors and, in turn, their school success after accounting for grade level, sex, and racial/ethnic minority status. Indirect effects between family discontinuity and school success were also evaluated. Results For adolescents attending public school off the military installation, parental deployment was significantly associated with less social support, and recent relocation was significantly associated with elevated depressive symptoms. Both psychosocial factors were associated with adolescents' academic achievement, school engagement, and homework commitment. Implications Prevention and intervention efforts directed at enhancing both social support and positive mental health are discussed at various systemic levels including families, schools, and communities.
Community, context, and coping: How social connections influence coping and well-being for military members and their spouses
APA Citation:
O’Neal, C. W., Richardson, E. W., & Mancini, J. A. (2020). Community, Context, and Coping: How Social Connections Influence Coping and Well-Being for Military Members and Their Spouses. Family Process, 59(1), 158-172. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12395
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Other
Parents
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
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Research & Summary
O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Richardson, Evin W.; Mancini, Jay A.
2020
Military members and their spouses (n = 223 families) were selected from an Active Duty Army installation and assessed with regard to their connections with the military community, their levels of coping with military culture demands, and their reports of individual (depression and life satisfaction) and family well-being. Guided by the contextual model of family stress and the social organization theory of action and change, results from a structural equation model indicated that military community connections, for both military members and their civilian spouses, were related to coping with the military culture and its demands, which in turn was related to both individual and family well-being. Unique actor and partner effects also emerged where both active duty military members' and their civilian spouses' perceptions of military community connections influenced the civilian spouses' satisfaction with military life, but only the active duty military members' community connections influenced their military-specific coping. Additionally, the associations between military-specific coping and individual and family well-being only had actor effects. When examined within the context of important military culture elements, namely rank and extent of military transitions (deployment and relocation), these core findings linking communities to coping and well-being were unchanged. Implications for theory, future research, and practice are shared.
