Do Combat Exposure and Post-Deployment Mental Health Influence Intent to Divorce?

The associations between combat exposure, mental health symptoms, aggression and intent to divorce or separate during the four and nine month post-deployment period were examined. About a third of Service members (37%) reported marital problems at four months post-deployment. Nine month post-deployment intent to divorce or separate was associated with four month marital distress, relationship aggression, and posttraumatic stress disorder re-experiencing symptoms.