Longitudinal association of health behaviors and health-related quality of life with military spouse readiness
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Corry, N. H., Radakrishnan, S., Williams, C. S., Woodall, K. A., & Stander, V. A. (2024). Longitudinal association of health behaviors and health-related quality of life with military spouse readiness. BMC Public Health, 24(1), Article 1341. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18786-2
Abstract Created by REACH:
This study used 2 waves of data from the Millennium Cohort Family Study to examine the relationships between military spouses’ health behaviors and their readiness as a military spouse, as well as whether their health-related quality of life might explain this relationship. 3,257 spouses of active-duty Service members self-reported their health behaviors (i.e., sleep, smoking, alcohol use, and exercise) and health-related quality of life (i.e., the effect of physical and mental health challenges on daily functioning) at time 1 (T1). To assess military spouse readiness 2 years later (T2), spouses’ missed workdays due to illness or injury as well as number of outpatient healthcare visits and number of days hospitalized per year since T1 were drawn from the Military Health System Data Repository, and their satisfaction with military support and military-related stress were selfreported. In general, spouses’ health behaviors tended to be related to their health-related quality of life, which in turn was linked to their military spouse readiness 2 years later. Sleep had the most robust impact on readiness.
Focus:
Mental health
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Air Force
Coast Guard
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:
Quantitative Study
Longitudinal Study
Authors:
Corry, Nida H., Radakrishnan, Sharmini, Williams, Christianna S., Woodall, Kelly A., Stander, Valerie A.
Abstract:
Unhealthy behaviors impose costs on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) reducing productivity and readiness among military members (Hoge et al., JAMA 295:1023–32, 2006; Mansfield et al. 362:101–9, 2010). Among married personnel in particular, patterns of spouse health behaviors may play an interdependent role. As a result, the identification of military spouse health factors related to readiness may inform strategies to screen for and identify those in need of greater support and enhance readiness. This study explored behavioral and HRQOL predictors and potential mediators of military spouse readiness utilizing data from the Millennium Cohort Family Study.
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
health behaviors, health-related quality of life, military spouse readiness
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
REACH Newsletter: