This study examined psychosocial issues within Army families and the contribution of support networks to spouses' well-being and to their desire that their soldiers remain in the Army. Data from a self-administered questionnaire were analyzed for 137 spouses from the active duty component, 410 from the National Guard, and 174 from the reserve. Differences among the three groups were found with regard to both the composition of their social support networks as well as their use of such networks. Use of support was associated with well-being, but not with retention.
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USAMRMC
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16213. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES The findings were collected under WRAIR Protocol #473: "Unit Leadership, Downsizing and Community Supports: Impacts on Soldier-Family Stress Contagion at FORSCOM Posts", which was funded by the Research Area Directorate for Military Operational Medicine (LTC Karl Friedl), U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Ft. Detrick, Maryland. 14. ABSTRACT Over the last three decades the institution to the All-Volunteer Force (AVF) and Total Force Policy, as well as the end of the Cold War have had a significant impact on the Army. We explore the social demographics in the AVF, the integration of the National Guard and Reserve into the military way of life, and the effects of military duties in relationship to the physical and psychological health and retention preferences of today's Army spouses. Survey data were collected from a sample of 709 spouses: 137 Active Duty, 398 National Guard, and 174 Reserve. Overall, we found that spouses possessed good physical and psychological health and wanted their soldiers to remain in the Army. Among the social demographic issues, finances were problematic. Approximately one-third of spouses reported that finances caused problems in their families and 15% reported debts of over $30,000. Debt level was not significantly correlated with retention preference; however, it was associated with higher depression scores. The data from our integration indicators suggested that the USAR and ARNG spouses were not integrated into the military way of life to any great degree. Although not significantly correlated to health measures, increased integration was associated with spouses wanted their soldiers to remain in the military. Increased soldier time away from home and unpredictable duty hours were both associated with increased spouse depression scores. These findings suggest that social demographics, component integration and military duties are associated with health and retention outcomes. Future research should examine the influence of variables such as coping strategies and information flow that may moderate health and retention outcomes. We wish to acknowledge the contributions of the researchers listed above who participated in designing the study and collecting the data.
SUBJECT TERMSArmy Spouses' Health and Retention Preferences
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