Chemical Technology Branch annual report, fiscal year 1967

The Family Adaptation Model: A Life Course Perspective

“…Family adaptation to Army life is a concept which describes the health of this interface. A great deal of research suggests that a positive family attitude toward the military system bolsters family adaptation (Bowen, 1988a;Bower, 1967;Gonzalez, 1970;McCubbin, Patterson, & Lavee, 1983;Orthner & Bowen, 1982;Pederson & Sullivan, 1964;Szoc, 1982) For purposes of this research, adaptation to Army life concerns the overall orientation of family members to life in the Army and their commitment to its values and lifestyle. Perhaps best captured by the notion of "Fit" (Bowen, 1987a;McCubbin, Patterson, & lavee, 1983;Melson, 1983;Szoc, 1982), it refers to the sense of mutual support, adaptation, commitment, and shared purpose that service members and their families feel with the Army institution; their support of the Army member's job and career; their commitment to Army organizational mission, goals, values and lifestyle; and the degree to which they believe the Army environment is a good environment for marriage and to raise children.…”