This study examined differences among types of marital problems based on whether Airmen were men or women and whether their spouse was also serving on active duty. 28,745 active-duty Airmen reported on marital problems they had experienced in the past year. Problems were categorized as common (i.e., communication difficulties, arguments, lack of affection, growing apart), severe (i.e., divorce, abuse, infidelity), or military-specific (i.e., changing family roles or responsibilities, difficulties due to living apart from their spouse). Women generally reported higher rates of marital problems than men, particularly when their spouse was not serving on active duty; however, marital problems did not differ between men and women married to active-duty spouses.
Summary provided by Military REACH at Auburn University
Translating Research Into Practice (TRIP) Report:
Created by our partners at Military REACH at Auburn University, TRIP Reports summarize the key findings and implications of this study to provide actionable insights in accessible language for practitioners, policy makers, and families.
Reference:
King, E. L., Hack, E. M., Bicknell, G. C., Crownover, B. N., & Oliver, M. A. (2025). Social role violations in a greedy institution: Gender, spouses’ military status, and servicemembers’ marital problems. Sex Roles, 91, Article 33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-025-01585-3Â