The resilient spouse: Understanding factors associated with dispositional resilience among military spouses
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Sinclair, R. R., Paulson, A. L., & Riviere, L. A. (2019). The resilient spouse: Understanding factors associated with dispositional resilience among military spouses. Military Behavioral Health, 7, 376-390. https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2019.1608876
Abstract Created by REACH:
Trait resilience is the general tendency to rebound despite stressful circumstances; this capacity can be strengthened or diminished by resources or experiences in an individual’s life. This study examines trait resilience among 333 female spouses of Soldiers to understand what spouse characteristics are associated with greater trait resilience, as well as what well-being outcomes were linked to trait resilience. Findings suggest that, after accounting for demographic and psychological spouse characteristics, greater trait resilience was linked to more positive mental and physical health outcomes among spouses.
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Other
Parents
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
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:
Cross-Sectional Study
Quantitative Study
Secondary Analysis
Authors:
Sinclair, Robert R., Paulson, Abby L., Riviere, Lyndon A.
Abstract:
Spouses of soldiers face several unique challenges due to the demands of being in the military, such as frequent moves, and multiple family separations due to trainings and deployments. Although the military has several programs targeted to enhance spouse resilience, no research has examined the characteristics associated with dispositional (trait) resilience in military spouses or the extent to which trait resilience predicts health outcomes. Anonymous, cross-sectional survey data were collected from a sample of military spouses (n = 333) as part of the Land Combat Study. Survey items asked about dispositional resilience, mental health and well-being, as well as other psychosocial and demographic factors potentially associated with resilience. Characteristics associated with higher resilience included having more children, being a nonminority, social support, less work–family conflict, and better soldier mental health. Trait resilience also predicted several health outcomes including general psychological distress, relationship functioning, sleep quality, and overall health. Notably, the number of soldier deployments was not associated with resilience. Findings suggest these factors are important to the resilience of military spouses and can be used direct future resilience training efforts towards factors that most affect resilience among the population.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Taylor & Francis
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Department of Military Psychiatry, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neurosciences, RRS
Department of Psychology, Clemson University, RRS
The Paulson Venture, ALP
Department of Military Psychiatrym Center for Military Psychiatry and Neurosciences, LAR
Keywords:
behavioral health, deployment, military spouse, reintegration training, resilience
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
Sponsors:
Funding for this project came from the Military Operational Medicine Research Area Directorate, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Ft. Detrick, MD.
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