Coping and mental health differences among active duty service members and their spouses with high and low levels of marital warmth
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Lucier-Greer, M., Quichocho, D., Frye-Cox, N., Sherman, H., Burke, B., & Duncan, J. M. (2020). Coping and mental health differences among active duty service members and their spouses with high and low levels of marital warmth. Military Psychology, 32, 425-431. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2020.1803724
Abstract Created by REACH:
Situated within several stress-related theories (e.g., the ABC-X model of Family Stress), this study examined whether marital warmth helps to bolster military couples’ (N = 234 active-duty Service members and their civilian spouses) ability to cope with stressors (i.e., challenges coping with military life and self-efficacy when faced with stressors ) and alleviate their mental health symptoms (i.e., depressive and anxiety symptoms). The results suggest that Service members and spouses who reported higher levels of marital warmth tended to report fewer challenges coping with stressors and fewer mental health symptoms.
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Parents
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Active duty service member
Military families
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Cross-Sectional Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Lucier-Greer, Mallory, Quichocho, Davina, Frye-Cox, Nicky, Sherman, Haley, Burke, Benjamin, Duncan, James M.
Abstract:
This study examined the relationship between marital warmth (e.g., openly expressing affection, supportive behaviors) and assessments of coping (i.e., challenges coping with military life and self-efficacy in the context of stress) and mental health (i.e., depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms) in a sample of active duty men and their spouses/romantic partners (N = 234 military couples). Results from a series of multivariate analysis of variance tests indicate that service members and spouses who reported higher levels of marital warmth also reported better coping skills and mental health compared to individuals in couple relationships that demonstrated lower levels of marital warmth. Intervention and prevention implications targeting social support and marital warmth are provided.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Taylor & Francis
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, MLG
Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, DQ
Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, NFC
Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, HS
Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, BB
Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Arkansas, JMD
Keywords:
coping, marital warmth, mental health, military couples, military spouses
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
Sponsors:
Funding for this research was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture: Hatch project 1017588 [Mallory Lucier-Greer, Principal Investigator] and NIFA award No. 2009-48680-06069 [Jay A. Mancini, Principal Investigator].
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