Conceptual Model of Military Career and Family Life Course Events, Intersections, and Effects on Well-Being

This paper presents a life course conceptual model to organize the body of research analyzing the effects of military life on service members, their spouses, and their children. The model helps to: (1) categorize research results obtained and drive strategic planning, (2) provide a framework to synthesize results from multiple studies and elucidate connections among seemingly disparate research areas, (3) enable identification of where to focus research efforts and identify what capabilities are needed, and (4) identify ways to foster positive personal outcomes as well as positive military organizational outcomes through therapeutic interventions, as well as policies, programs, and practices.