Introduction: Single-parent military families experience a combination of single-parenthood stressors and military life–related stressors, including work–family conflict and parental strain. Previous research has suggested that ineffective coping strategies in relation to maintaining work–family balance and dealing with parental strain may contribute to psychological distress among single military mothers. Methods: To address the research limitations, an electronic survey was administered to single Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) mothers in 2014. This study examined the role of work–family conflict, parental strain, and coping in the well-being of CAF single mothers ( N = 223). We expected that work–family conflict, parental strain, and coping strategies would play an important role in the well-being of single CAF mothers and that coping strategies would also moderate the path between single-parenthood difficulties (work–family conflict and parental strain) and psychological well-being. Results: Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that work–family conflict and parental strain have strong negative impacts on the well-being of single CAF mothers. Although coping strategies serve as important and unique predictors of well-being, they do not buffer the impact of military life–related stress on single mothers. Discussion: Recommendations for mitigating the impact of work–family conflict and parental strain for single mothers in the CAF are offered.
Introduction: Military families are often confronted with unique financial stressors related to the military lifestyle, including relocations, loss of spousal job, or child care expenses. Moreover, the impact of financial stressors may be exacerbated in single-parent military families. Although there is an increasing number of single-parent families in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), research concerning the role of financial stressors in their psychological well-being is limited. Methods: The goal of this study was to examine the role of financial stressors in the psychological well-being of single and married CAF members with and without children ( n = 1,781). Results: Single CAF members with children reported significantly higher financial strain and psychological distress than other CAF members. In addition, hierarchical regression analyses revealed that financial strain and an external locus of control played important roles in psychological distress even when family structure was taken into account. Discussion: Organizational implications, including recommendations related to financial education services aimed at single CAF members with children and the development of programs to promote an internal financial locus of control, are discussed.
Introduction: The ability to attain financial satisfaction is becoming progressively difficult due to increasing living standards, costs, and accruement of debt. Military members are arguably at greater risk of being dissatisfied with their current financial situation and suffering from financial strain and psychological distress due to the demands of a military lifestyle. Methods: The present study aimed to explore the predictive relationships between financial satisfaction and daily coping ability on two facets of well-being – life satisfaction and psychological distress – among Canadian military personnel. Results: The hierarchical regression results demonstrated that financial satisfaction was a significant predictor of life satisfaction and psychological distress. Moreover, daily coping ability played a vital role in improving participants’ life satisfaction and reducing psychological distress, above and beyond the positive impact of financial satisfaction. Discussion: The qualitative difference between the predictors and outcome variables as well as directions for future research are discussed.
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