Communication of military couples during deployment predicting generalized anxiety upon reunion
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Knobloch, L. K., Knobloch-Fedders, L. M., & Yorgason, J. B. (2018). Communication of military couples during deployment predicting generalized anxiety upon reunion. Journal of Family Psychology, 32(1), 12–21. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000344
Abstract Created by REACH:
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between communication during deployment and general anxiety (intense worry, fear) upon service members’ homecoming from a deployment with a sample of 555 military couples. Constructive (e.g., helpful, satisfying) and destructive (e.g., frustrating, disappointing) communication styles were assessed retrospectively within the first week of homecoming. Anxiety was assessed monthly over a period of eight months post-deployment. Results showed distinct influences of both constructive and destructive communication during deployment on anxiety levels at homecoming and the rate of change in anxiety over the following eight months.
Focus:
Couples
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Navy
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Subject Affiliation:
Guard/Reserve member
Military families
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:
Longitudinal study
Authors:
Knobloch, Leanne K., Knobloch-Fedders, Lynne M., Yorgason, Jeremy B.
Abstract:
This study draws on the emotional cycle of deployment model (Pincus, House, Christenson, & Adler, 2001) to consider how the valence of communication between military personnel and at-home partners during deployment predicts their generalized anxiety upon reunion. Online survey data were collected from 555 military couples (N = 1,110 individuals) once per month for 8 consecutive months beginning at homecoming. Dyadic growth curve modeling results indicated that people’s anxiety declined across the transition. For at-home partners, constructive communication during deployment predicted a steeper decline in anxiety over time. For both returning service members and at-home partners, destructive communication during deployment predicted more anxiety upon reunion but a steeper decline in anxiety over time. Results were robust beyond the frequency of communication during deployment and a host of individual, relational, and military variables. These findings advance the emotional cycle of deployment model, highlight the importance of the valence of communication during deployment, and illuminate how the effects of communication during deployment can endure after military couples are reunited. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
American Psychological Association
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
University of Illinois, LKK
Lynne M. Knobloch-Fedders, LMKF
Brigham Young University, JBY
Keywords:
military families, spouses, military deployment, couples, anxiety, test construction, interpersonal communication, family reunification
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
Sponsors:
Military Operational Medicine Research Program
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