Publication year
2015
Citation Title
The role of online communication in the lives of military spouses.
Journal Name
Contemporary Family Therapy
Journal Volume
37
Issue Number
3
Page Numbers
329-339
DOI
10.1007/s10591-015-9346-6
Summary
Spouses of Marines who had experienced deployment or extended separation were interviewed to explore use of online social media. Participants reported that social media was their primary method of staying connected to their spouses during separations, but online communication can cause misunderstanding and conflict. Participants shared ways in which family life professionals could use technology to support military spouses.
Key Findings
Participants used social media primarily to stay in touch with the deployed Service member and stay connected to family and friends.
Military spouses reported that social media can facilitate open communication during deployment, but some communication can be misunderstood and result in relationship conflict.
Some military spouses used social media during deployment to share concerns regarding finances, household maintenance, and loneliness with family and friends.
Spouses reported that family life professionals could be supportive by providing educational tools about maintaining relationships during deployment and teach appropriate online etiquette.
Implications for Program Leaders
Develop and post interactive resources on social media for military couples experiencing deployment
Provide classes for military spouses about how to use social media and appropriate online etiquette
Create online portals where military spouses can exchange peer support with other spouses experiencing a Service member’s deployment
Implications for Policy Makers
Encourage collaboration among DoD military family programs and community-based organizations to create and support an online resource hub for military couples experiencing deployment
Recommend professional development for family life professionals working with military families about how to use social media
Continue to provide resources to support internet access for deployed Service members so they can maintain contact with at-home family members
Methods
Participants were recruited by a Family Readiness Officer, the primary researcher, and snowball sampling.
Participants completed semi-structured interviews via Skype.
Questions addressed spouses’ use of social media during deployment, and how professionals can support spouses during relocation and separation via technology.
Participants
Ten women married to Marines who had experienced a separation due to training or deployment.
Age of participants ranged from 24-34 years (M = 26 years).
Racial/ethnic composition of the sample included: 70% White and 30% Latino/Latina.
Length of marriage ranged from 1-15 years (M = 5 years).
Limitations
Spouses who choose to participate in the study may have been different (e.g., functioning better or worse) than those who did not.
Only female spouses of Marines were included in the sample; it is unknown how results might generalize to male spouses or military spouses in other branches of the military.
Results may be biased due to the primary author’s experiences as a military spouse.
Avenues for Future Research
Explore spouses’ use of different social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Skype)
Examine other relationship maintenance strategies couples use during deployment and extended separations
Focus on additional factors related to relationship functioning, such as mental health, stressors, and relationship history
Focus
Marines
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
The present study explored the impact of online communication and social networking sites on military spouses as they experienced a deployment of their spouse. Qualitative data were collected through one-on-one, semi-structured Skype interviews with ten married military spouses from Eastern North Carolina. Phenomenological data analysis revealed three major themes: (1) social media and its purpose in the life of military spouses; (2) social media and its role in maintaining the relationships among military couples; and (3) implications for therapists to incorporate online communication into treatment plans of military couples around the topics of relocation, deployment, reintegration, and mental health. Key findings suggest that the use of online communication during a military deployment is a positive influence and support for military spouses. The present study provides insights into the life of military spouses and how they use online communication, including social media, as a tool for relational maintenance. By better understanding the function of social media and online communication for military spouses, family therapists can better assist military families through deployments and wartime separations.
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