Military wives emotionally coping during deployment: Balancing dependence and independence
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Cafferky, B., & Shi, L. (2015). Military wives emotionally coping during deployment: Balancing dependence and independence. American Journal of Family Therapy, 43(3), 282-295. doi:10.1080/01926187.2015.1034633
Abstract Created by REACH:
Individuals who experience the deployment of a spouse often encounter certain difficulties and develop coping strategies to deal with those difficulties. This qualitative study explored how military wives' coping mechanisms were related to their emotional connection with their deployed husbands. The findings demonstrated the use of three distinct types of coping mechanisms during deployment that affected the wives' emotional wellbeing.
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Army
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Navy
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Spouse of service member or veteran
Military families
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Empirical Study
Interview
Qualitative Study
Authors:
Cafferky, Bryan, Shi, Lin
Abstract:
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how military wives’ coping mechanisms are related to their emotional connection with their deployed husbands. Conceptualizing the marital relationship as an attachment system, we explored how military wives adopted various coping mechanisms during their husbands’ deployment and identified two types of efforts toward independence: self-sufficient independence through emotional avoidance, and autonomous interdependence through emotional connection. These are consistent with those coping behaviors informed by secure and avoidant attachment styles. Clinical implications are offered based on the discussion of the results.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Taylor & Francis
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Kansas State University, BC
Northern Illinois University, LS
Keywords:
emotional connection, coping mechanisms, attachment system, military wives
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary