Family Disruption and Adult Attachment Correlates of Spouse and Child Reactions to Separation and Reunion Due to Operation Desert Storm

Employing predictors derived from the stress resistance and adult attachment literature, two studies are reported on the effects of war separation due to Operation Desert Storm on the families of South Carolina Reserve and National Guard family members. Study One, conducted during March and April 1991 (just following the cessation of fighting), sampled soldiers' spouses who attended military support group meetings. Data showed that separation was correlated with emotional distress for spouses and internalizing-type behavior problems in children. Spouse distress was positively correlated with family disruption ratings and negatively correlated with attachment security whereas children's reactions were primarily determined by mother distress and, to a lesser extent, family disruption. Attachment style was a particularly powerful predictor of distress among childless spouses. Only for those reporting high levels of family disruption did military support group perceptions moderate distress levels. In Study Two, conducted in December 1991, six months after reunion, another sample was studied using participants who responded to a survey mailed to spouses of all state Reserve and National Guard personnel activated during Desert Storm. The instrument assessed retrospective accounts of distress during separation, and children's baehavior at separation and reunion. As in Study One, distress was related to family disruption and attachment style, and maternal distress was highly related to children's behavior during deployment and at reunion. Adult attachment security was significantly related to children's behavior at reunion and marginally related to behavior problems during separation. Results are discussed with reference to both research on effects of war-related stresses on families, and on importance of considering adult attachment in research on stressful separations.