Suspicion about a partner’s deception and trust as roots of relational uncertainty during the post-deployment transition
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Knobloch, L. K., Knobloch-Fedders, L. M., Yorgason, J. B., Basinger, E. D., Abendschein, B., & McAninch, K. G. (2020). Suspicion about a partner’s deception and trust as roots of relational uncertainty during the post-deployment transition. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(3), 912-934. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407520970645
Abstract Created by REACH:
This study examined how well trust and suspicion about a partner’s deception explained subsequent relational uncertainty (including three types of uncertainty: questioning one’s own relationship [self-uncertainty], questioning their partner’s investment [partner uncertainty], and/or the future of the relationship [relationship uncertainty]) while accounting for relationship satisfaction. Data were collected over the course of the postdeployment transition period across eight waves (homecoming and every month for seven additional months) from 287 military couples. Trust was a more robust determinant of relationship uncertainty than suspicion about a partner’s deception.
Focus:
Deployment
Other
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Reserve
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Active duty service member
Guard/Reserve member
Spouse of service member or veteran
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)
Very old (85 yrs & older)
Methodology:
Cross-Sectional Study
Authors:
Knobloch, Leanne K., Knobloch-Fedders, Lynne M., Yorgason, Jeremy B., Basinger, Erin D., Abendschein, Bryan, McAninch, Kelly G.
Abstract:
Relational uncertainty is both prominent and pivotal during the transition from deployment to reintegration. Most prior research has considered the outcomes rather than the origins of relational uncertainty, hampering the development of interventions for military couples. We theorize about two predictors of relational uncertainty during the post-deployment transition: suspicion about a partner’s deception and trust. Results of an 8-wave longitudinal study involving 287 U.S. military couples (N = 4,147 observations) revealed that relational uncertainty increased over the transition for both returning service members and at-home partners. Suspicion about a partner’s deception, and particularly trust, predicted the relational uncertainty of military couples at homecoming and over time. These findings advance knowledge about the roots of relational uncertainty and suggest ways to assist military couples upon reunion.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
SAGE Publications
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
University of Illinois, LKK
Marquette University, LMKF
Brigham Young University, JBY
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, EDB
Western Michigan University, BA
University of Kentucky, KGM
Keywords:
deception, deployment, military couples, reintegration, relational uncertainty, trust
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
Sponsors:
This research was supported by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs through the Military Operational Medicine Research Program (Award W81XWH-14-2-0131). The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, 820 Chandler Street, Fort Detrick MD 21702-5014, was the awarding and administering acquisition office. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense.
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