Publication year
2013
Citation Title
Do combat exposure and post-deployment mental health influence intent to divorce?
Journal Name
Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
Journal Volume
32
Issue Number
9
Page Numbers
917-938
DOI
10.1521/jscp.2013.32.9.917
Summary
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.
Key Findings
PTSD and depression symptoms were strongly related to each other at four months post-deployment.
At four months post-deployment, Soldiers reported experiencing marital problems (38%) and psychological aggression toward their partner in the last month (44%). At nine months post-deployment, approximately 10% of Soldiers reported an intent to divorce or separate .
Combat exposure was a significant predictor of intent to divorce or separate (even when accounting for initial marital distress and PTSD symptoms).
Implications for Program Leaders
Develop interventions that consider the mutual influence of mental health symptoms and marital functioning among military couples
Create workshops that integrate treatment for PTSD and depression, as these symptoms are highly co-occurring
Use screening and assessment tools that allow professionals who work with military families to detect marital difficulties early (9 months) in the post-deployment period
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue to provide resources that effectively disseminate evidence-based marital programs for military couples
Continue to support programs that decrease stigma for accessing mental health and marital care
Encourage the development and continuation of programs that can promote resilience in Service members, their partners, and children
Methods
Participants completed a self-report survey on base four and nine months after a 15-month deployment to Iraq in 2007-2008.
The survey included measures of combat experiences, depression and PTSD symptoms, relationship and general aggression, and marital distress.
Statistical analyses were utilized to understand the relationships between the variables, and if the demographic characteristics were different among those who reported intent to divorce or separate and those who did not.
Participants
Active Duty Soldiers from five squadrons of a Cavalry Regiment were invited to participate, and for these analyses, only those who were in a marital relationship, had previously deployed, and completed the relationship questions were included.
At Time 1, 851 Soldiers participated in data collection while at Time 2, there were 194 participants as many had been transferred to other locations at 9 months post-deployment.
The sample was 98% male and 62% of participants were between 25 and 39 years; most participants (63%) had one or more child.
Limitations
Spouses were not assessed; research suggests that understanding spouses’ perspectives is important for understanding the impact of deployment on marital health.
This study was limited to married couples who may differ from other types of couples.
Marital distress and mental health were only assessed post-deployment, therefore, pre-deployment functioning is unknown. Couples intending to divorce at 9-month post-deployment may have been distressed prior to deployment which contributed to their intent to divorce.
Avenues for Future Research
Explore those marrying or divorcing in the same period to help illuminate issues facing a wider variety of type of couple who are experiencing deployment
Examine the role of relationship stress throughout the deployment period
Utilize longitudinal methods that include the pre-deployment period as well as a longer time frame post-deployment in order to provide additional insight into the interactions among these variables
Focus
Army
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
The period after returning from combat deployment is a dynamic time for relationships. Anecdotally, some couples report their relationship is stronger after the deployment and others report the onset of marital problems. In a sample of 194 soldiers, we examined the association between combat exposure, mental health symptoms, aggressive behaviors, and intent to divorce or separate during the 4- and 9- month post-deployment period. At Time 1, 37% soldiers reported problems in their marriage and the degree of marital distress was positively associated with PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and aggression. Time 2 intent to divorce or separate was bivariately associated with Time 1 marital distress, relationship psychological aggression, and PTSD re-experiencing symptoms; there were also trends for combat exposure and general aggression to be bivariately associated with Time 2 intent to divorce or separate. Further, there was a significant interaction between marital distress and combat exposure such that military personnel with a combination of high levels of combat exposure and marital distress were at heightened risk for intent to divorce at Time 2, even after accounting for PTSD symptoms. This finding suggests higher levels of combat exposure may influence willingness to stay in a distressed marriage; possible mechanisms for this, such as changes in life priorities, are discussed.
Attach