Publication year
2012
Citation Title
2003-2009 marital functioning trends among U.S. enlisted soldiers following combat deployments.
Journal Name
Military Medicine
Journal Volume
177
Issue Number
10
Page Numbers
1169-1177
DOI
10.7205/MILMED-D-12-00164
Summary
Researchers examined the relationships between indicators of marriage functioning and rates of divorce upon returning from deployments. In this sample, rates of infidelity and intent to separate or divorce increased, while the rate of overall marriage quality decreased. A combination of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol misuse, and somatic symptoms were factors related to the measures of marriage functioning.
Key Findings
From 2003 to 2009, the proportion of Soldiers reporting high marital quality declined by 14%, problems of infidelity increased by 8%, and intent to separate or divorce increased by 4%.
When compared to noncommissioned officers, junior enlisted soldiers had lower marriage quality and higher rates of infidelity and intent to separate or divorce.
Somatic symptoms, alcohol misuse, depression, and PTSD increased the likelihood of low marital quality.
Rates of infidelity rose with increased somatic symptoms, alcohol misuse, depression, as well as younger age, longer marriage, and junior rank.
Implications for Program Leaders
Consider providing marriage enrichment programs to married and soon-to-be married Service members to improve marriage quality
Provide education for Service members and their partners to increase their knowledge about factors that impact marriage quality
Offer peer support programs for Service members and their spouses where they can address issues related to marriage quality
Implications for Policy Makers
Recommend programming that teaches healthy communication in marriages during post-deployment
Encourage the enrollment of Service members who have evidence of somatic symptoms, alcohol misuse, depression, or PTSD in military-specific marriage programs
Support mental health programs that target military couples with poor marriage quality
Methods
Service members were recruited for this study during a briefing by their unit commander.
Data were collected from Service members three to six months after their return from deployment.
Surveys were given to assess marriage quality, combat exposure, depression, somatic symptoms, PTSD, and alcohol misuse.
Data were analyzed to determine trends regarding marital quality, infidelity, and intent to separate or divorce. These trends were then compared between different groups of Service members.
Participants
Participants consisted of 5,928 married male Service members from OEF/OIF combat teams between 2003 and 2009.
In the sample, 39% of participants were 18-24 years old; 30% were 25-29 years old; 28% were 30-39 years old; and 3% were 40 years old or older.
No information on race or ethnicity was provided.
Limitations
Only certain data were available from the given database, which does not allow for an understanding of other constructs that may influence these associations.
There was no inclusion of data about female Service members’ experiences, which limits the generalizability of the study.
Data were collected through self-report; therefore, some problems may have been under-reported.
Avenues for Future Research
Compare marriage quality trends in military and civilian populations to assess similarities and differences between the two
Replicate this study with female and same-sex participants to improve the generalizability of the results
Include a longitudinal assessment of marriage quality and examine the effects of multiple combat deployments on marriage functioning
Focus
Army
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
Objective: This study examined 2003–2009 trends in three marital functioning indicators: marital quality, infidelity, and separation/divorce intent, and in marital dissolution rates among U.S. soldiers. Methods: Marital functioning trends were examined with cross-sectional postdeployment sample data collected under the Land Combat Study from married, male, enlisted soldiers who had deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan (n = 5,928). Marital dissolution rates were examined with population data (n = 1,895,571). The relationships between time (measured by year) and all study variables were analyzed with 2 tests of association, analysis of variance, and logistic regression analyses adjusting for combat exposure, mental and physical health, and demographic variables. Results: Marital quality has declined, and reports of past-year infidelity and separation/divorce intent have increased between 2003 and 2009. However, no increases were observed in marital dissolution rates. Conclusions: The results indicate that more proximal indicators of marital functioning such as decreased marital quality, infidelity, and separation/divorce intent may better illustrate the strain that increased deployment tempo exerts on marital relationships. The findings provide a better understanding of how Army marriages have been affected by the wars, and suggest that further inquiry is needed on military marriages.
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