Publication year
2008
Citation Title
Role-exit theory and marital discord following extended military deployment
Journal Name
Perspectives in Psychiatric Care
Journal Volume
44
Issue Number
3
Page Numbers
169-174
DOI
10.1111/j.1744-6163.2008.00171.x
Summary
Shifting roles (i.e., husband/wife, caretaker) within a couple can be difficult to adapt to, especially for married couples experiencing lengthy military deployments. This study examined military couples’ roles at various stages of a deployment and assessed a counseling (intervention) approach for adapting to a shift in roles. Overall, findings revealed the intervention was successful for most couples.
Key Findings
At post-intervention, six out of the ten couples indicated improvement in their marriages by incorporating the counseling approach to adjust roles and maintain their relationships following deployment.
Three couples who had a spouse deploy longer than 18 months and/or deployed frequently did not report improvement in marital relationship; these couples struggled to adapt to changing roles.
Healthy communication, faith and religious beliefs, and maintaining a sense of self and empowerment were all key factors that contributed to the success of couples following the role intervention.
Implications for Program Leaders
Develop curricula to help military families discuss individual and family roles prior to deployment to prepare them for shifting roles during deployment
Enhance education for military families related to healthy communication and maintaining a sense of self and empowerment
Offer workshops for military families to help them learn about personal and community resources that may help them overcome marital difficulties during a deployment
Implications for Policy Makers
Promote programs that assist Service members and their families maintain healthy relationships
Recommend education for service providers around the possible benefits of communication, faith, and maintaining a sense of self and empowerment for military families
Encourage partnerships among military-based and community-based programs to help military families feel more comfortable participating in family leisure activities that are not on installations
Methods
Couples who sought treatment for help with marital difficulties were randomly selected to participate.
Husbands and wives attended a minimum of 10 sessions and met weekly for 90 minutes.
Interviews and journaling were used to assess each individual’s roles throughout the deployment cycle to examine differences in roles, marital conflict, and outcome of intervention.
Commonalities in intervention outcomes were assessed across the 10 couples.
Participants
The sample included 10 married couples between the ages of 19-44 years (husbands M = 34 years; wives = 32 years).
A majority (five husbands; six wives) were White, followed by Black (four husbands; three wives), and Latino/a (one husband and one wife).
All Service members were husbands with a range of 2-18 years (M = 10 years) in the military and had deployed at least once; average deployment length was 18 months.
Limitations
There was no clear description as to how the data were analyzed, thus it is not possible to know how the authors arrived at their conclusions or replicate the study.
The study was not specific in reporting its findings as it was unclear when data were collected and no comparison between pre- and post-intervention was provided.
Direct quotes or examples of participant journaling was not provided, thus it may be difficult to determine the reliability of the study’s findings.
Avenues for Future Research
Derive a sample of military couples who were not seeking treatment for marital difficulties as a comparison group to determine how the intervention works across all types of couples
Examine how deployed female Service members and their spouses adjust roles during deployment and how this impacts their relationships
Identify how communication, faith and religious beliefs, and sense of self and empowerment each contribute to the success of couples maintaining relationships following deployment
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Component
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of applying role-exit theory concepts in the counseling of military couples experiencing marital discord following extended periods of deployment. DESIGN AND METHODS: Qualitative case study methodology was utilized to assess, diagnose, and treat 10 military couples using a framework based on role-exit theory. FINDINGS: Six couples self-reported improvement in the marital relationship following this counseling approach. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Role-exit theory based counseling may benefit other couples who experience marital discord due to role issues. The clinical nurse specialist might consider this paradigm when working with couples in marital therapy
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