Depressive symptoms, relational turbulence, and the reintegration difficulty of military couples following wartime deployment
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Knobloch, L. K., Ebata, A. T., McGlaughlin, P. C., & Ogolsky, B. (2013). Depressive symptoms, relational turbulence, and the reintegration difficulty of military couples Following wartime deployment. Health Communication, 28(8), 754-766. doi:10.1080/10410236.2013.800440
Abstract Created by REACH:
Using the relational turbulence model, an examination of military couples and their experience reuniting after wartime deployment was conducted. More specifically the study explored how individual's depressive symptoms, relational uncertainty, and interference from partners predicted their difficulty with reintegration. One hundred and eighteen military couples, living in 20 states, completed an online questionnaire once per month for the first three months upon reunion following wartime deployment.
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Subject Affiliation:
Active duty service member
Guard/Reserve member
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Empirical Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Knobloch, Leanne K., Ebata, Aaron T., McGlaughlin, Patricia C., Ogolsky, Brian
Abstract:
During reunion following wartime deployment, military couples are at risk for both depression and relationship distress (Bowling & Sherman, 2008). This article applies the relational turbulence model (Knobloch & Theiss, 2011a; Solomon & Theiss, 2011) to understand the difficulty military couples may experience upon homecoming. One hundred and eighteen military couples completed an online questionnaire once per month for the first 3 months upon reunion following wartime deployment. Multilevel modeling results indicated that people's depressive symptoms (H1), relational uncertainty (H2), and interference from partners (H3) predicted their difficulty with reintegration. A few partner effects were apparent as well. These findings illuminate the dynamics of the reunion period, extend the relational turbulence model, and suggest guidelines for helping military couples preserve well-being during reintegration following wartime deployment.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Taylor & Francis
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Department of Communication, University of Illinois, LKK
Department of Human and Community Development, University of Illinois, ATE
University of Illinois, IL, PCM
Department of Human and Community Development, University of Illinois, BO
Keywords:
depressive symptoms, relational turbulence, reintegration difficulty, military couples, wartime deployment
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
Sponsors:
University of Illinois, Family Resiliency Center, US