Publication year
2015
Citation Title
Evaluation of a psychological health and resilience intervention for military spouses: A pilot study.
Journal Name
Psychological Services
Journal Volume
12
Issue Number
3
Page Numbers
222-230
DOI
10.1037/ser0000035
Summary
Deployment can be a particularly difficult and stressful time for spouses or partners of Service members. The HomeFront Strong program was designed to strengthen military relationships and increase resilience, and the well-being of Service members' partners was compred before and after program participation. Partners reported high levels of program satisfaction, reduced anxiety and stress, and increased life satisfaction after participating in the HomeFront Strong program.
Key Findings
Participating military wives or female partners experienced reduced anxiety and stress and increased life satisfaction after the HomeFront Strong program.
Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the program, including appreciation of learning new coping skills.
Levels of depression, life engagement, and optimism did not change following the program.
Implications for Program Leaders
Offer peer support groups for spouses to foster community support during deployment
Encourage military spouses to consider online support groups during deployment to augment in-person resources
Provide workshops for couples during the reintegration phase of deployment to help them reconnect with each other and cope with family adjustment
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue to encourage the development of programs that support military spouses across the deployment cycle
Encourage training for community professionals regarding particular stressors faced by military spouses during deployment
Recommend the provision of marriage enrichment programs, particularly after deployment, for Service members and their spouses
Methods
Participants were recruited via flyers and social media, with 63% of screened participants completing the study.
Participants completed assessments pre- and post-intervention, providing information regarding demographics, program satisfaction, stress levels, coping, depression and anxiety symptoms, and overall well-being.
Participant well-being (e.g., anxiety, stress, depression) were compared pre- and post-intervention.
Participants
The sample included 10 female spouses or partners of Service members who were deployed or recently deployed.
Ages of the spouses ranged from 22-50 years, and 50% were 25-30 years old; nine women were White and one was Black.
Spouses had experienced one (40%), two (20%), or four or more (40%) deployments.
Limitations
The sample was small, exclusively female, and primarily White; thus, results may not generalize to a broader population of military spouses.
There was no comparison group, and it cannot be determined whether changes in well-being were caused by the intervention.
No long-term follow-ups were conducted, so it is unclear whether improvements in well-being would be sustained.
Avenues for Future Research
Conduct a similar study with a control group to compare to the HomeFront Strong group post-intervention
Compare the effects of the HomeFront Strong program with similar existing programs to increase relationship well-being
Explore family level variables (e.g., communication, coping) that may play a role in the association between program participation and partner well-being
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
The decade long conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have placed considerable strain on military families. Given robust data showing high rates of deployment-related psychological health problems in spouses and children, and the near absence of evidence-based psychological health programs for military families in the community, interventions are urgently needed to support and strengthen spouses as they adjust to deployment transitions and military life experiences. This Phase 1 pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a resiliency intervention for military spouses in civilian communities (HomeFrontStrong; HFS), and generated preliminary efficacy data regarding impacts on psychological health and adjustment. Through two group cohorts, 14 women completed the intervention, with 10 women providing pre- and postgroup assessment data. Findings support feasibility of the intervention and high rates of program satisfaction. Participants reported learning new strategies and feeling more knowledgeable in their ability to use effective coping skills for managing deployment and military-related stressors. Participation in HFS was also associated with reduction in levels of anxiety and perceived stress, and improvements in life satisfaction and life engagement. HFS is a promising community-based intervention for military spouses designed to enhance resiliency, reduce negative psychological health symptoms, and improve coping.
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