Reference:
Collins, C.L., Lee, K.-H., & MacDermid Wadsworth, S. M. (2017). Family stressors and resources: Relationships with depressive symptoms in military couples during pre-deployment. Family Relations, 66(2), 302–316. doi:10.1111/fare.12251
Summary:
Most deployment-related research has focused on the service member’s process. There is little information about other family members during the pre-deployment phase. This study uses family stress theory to examine risk and protective factors associated with family members’ adaptation during times of stressful transition. Using an online survey, we gathered data from 151 U.S. Army National Guard members and their spouses preparing for a scheduled deployment. We examined associations between stress pile-up, deployment preparation and depressive symptoms. Results revealed that aspects of stress pileup were positively associated with individual’s depressive symptoms, while informal resources and deployment preparation were negatively associated with those symptoms. Findings were similar for military members and spouses.