Mental health profiles of depressive symptoms and personal well-being among active-duty military families
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
O'Neal, C. W., Lavner, J. A., Jensen, T. M., & Lucier-Greer, M. (2024). Mental health profiles of depressive symptoms and personal well-being among active-duty military families. Family Process. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.13003
Abstract Created by REACH:
This study identified distinct groups of families based on the individual mental health (i.e., depressive symptoms, personal well-being) patterns of Service members, civilian partners, and their adolescent children. The sample comprised 236 families. Service members, civilian partners, and one of their adolescent children self-reported their depressive symptoms, personal well-being, family cohesion (e.g., supportiveness among family members), and social support. Service members also reported military-related demands (i.e., relocation and deployment history). 3 groups emerged: thriving families, families with a relatively distressed Service member, and families with a relatively distressed adolescent. The 3 profiles were associated with variations in family cohesion and social support but did not differ by military-related demands.
Focus:
Children
Couples
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Child of a service member or veteran
Spouse of service member or veteran
Active duty service member
Population:
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Cross-Sectional Study
Authors:
O'Neal, Catherine Walker, Lavner, Justin A., Jensen, Todd M., Lucier-Greer, Mallory
Abstract:
Although some research has examined the mental health of individual family members in military families, additional research is needed that considers mental health among multiple members of the family system simultaneously and that characterizes subsets of families with distinct patterns. Mental health patterns of depressive symptoms and well-being in and among families were identified using latent profile analysis with a community sample of 236 military families with a service member (SM) parent, civilian partner, and adolescent. Drawing from the Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response model, we examined several military-related family demands (e.g., relocations, deployments) and capabilities (e.g., family cohesion, social support outside the family) as correlates of the family profiles. Three profiles emerged: thriving families (62.3% of the sample where all three family members reported relatively low depressive symptoms and high personal well-being), families with a relatively distressed SM (24.2%), and families with a relatively distressed adolescent (13.5%). Overall, there were no differences between the groups of families regarding military-related demands, yet there were differences between the groups regarding their capabilities, namely family cohesion and social support. In general, families in the thriving profile tended to have higher family cohesion and social support as reported by multiple family members compared to the other two profiles. Findings can inform the development of family needs assessments and tailored interventions (and intervention points) based on family profiles and current capabilities.
Publication Type:
Article
Keywords:
mental health, depressive symptoms, well-being, active duty military families
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
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