Publication year
2010
Citation Title
Stress and coping on the home front: Guard and reserve spouses searching for a new normal.
Journal Name
Journal of Family Nursing
Journal Volume
16
Issue Number
1
Page Numbers
45-67
DOI
10.1177/1074840709357347
Summary
Interview data from National Guard and Reserve spouses were utilized to identify sources of stress throughout the deployment cycle and explore spouses' coping strategies. Stressors varied from pre-deployment through post-deployment, as did coping responses. Spouses also expressed the need for a connection to individuals currently in the same position.
Key Findings
During pre-deployment, the major source of stress for spouses was a feeling of putting their lives on hold.
During deployment, five major stressors were reported: (1), worrying (danger, changes in the relationship), (2) waiting (phone calls, emails, etc.), (3) going it alone (taking over previously shared responsibilities), (4) pulling double duty (childcare and home care) and (5) loneliness.
The primary stressor during post-deployment was arriving at a new normal relationship and household functioning when the member returns home.
During pre-deployment, spouses primarily used social support and preparing for the separation as coping mechanisms. During deployment, keeping busy, staying connected to the Service member, managing personal needs (e.g “me-time”), and seeking support primarily from other home-front spouses were used. During post-deployment, family briefing sessions were reported as helpful as well as maintaining patience and space for the Service member when they returned.
Implications for Program Leaders
Offer support groups to military spouses throughout the deployment cycle
Continue to offer childcare and other services to military spouses throughout the deployment cycle to reduce the burden of increased responsibilities
Educate military couples about expectations and ways to stay connected with each other during deployment
Implications for Policy Makers
Recommend training for service providers working with military spouses regarding common stressors experienced by spouses during deployment
Encourage collaboration among DoD and community-based programs serving military families to provide better comprehensive care to military families throughout the deployment cycle
Continue to provide support for programs that work to increase family readiness
Methods
This was a qualitative study using open-ended, semi-structured interviews that lasted an average of 60 minutes.
Participants were military spouses of National Guard and Reserve members (branches not specified) who were currently deployed or in the post-deployment phase.
Participants were recruited via publicized TV and newspaper announcements.
Participants
Eighteen National Guard and Reserve spouses from rural Wisconsin participated.
Sixteen (89%) of spouses were female and the mean age of participants was 39 years.
Data regarding race/ethnicity were not provided.
Limitations
This was a small convenience sample of spouses living in rural Wisconsin; therefore, there is a selection bias and the findings may not be generalizable to other military spouses.
The authors did not specify their qualitative analysis strategies, thus it is unclear how themes were selected, which could bias the results.
The constructs of stress and coping were confounded by the fact that some of the participants had children and some did not. Stressors and coping strategies are likely to be different for those spouses with children versus those without.
Avenues for Future Research
Explore the stressors and coping mechanisms of male at-home spouses
Examine how previous exposure to military experiences prior to deployment assists with the coping of impending deployments and post-deployments for at-home spouses
Utilize a larger, more representative sample of spouses from different service branches and components
Focus
Multiple Branches
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
During deployment of National Guard or reserve troops to Iraq or Afghanistan, spouses on the home front have been largely invisible to our collective consciousness. A total of 18 spouses living in rural Wisconsin were interviewed to identify sources of stress and coping strategies. Stressors varied from predeployment through postdeployment, as did coping responses. During predeployment, spouses articulated that the primary stressor was their lives being “on hold.” During deployment, five stressors summarize the experience: worrying, waiting, going it alone, pulling double duty, and loneliness. Communication technology made it possible for most spouses to stay in touch using telephone, e-mail, or even Webcam. Keeping busy—managing personal, family, and household responsibilities—was the most commonly identified coping strategy. Postdeployment was a period of adjustment while couples searched for a new normal. Throughout all deployment phases, skilled and astute nurses can assist families toward health and healing.
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