Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Patricia Loun

Abstract

Since 2001, millions of U.S. military personnel have deployed overseas. Military deployment can be a tremendous stressor on military families and negatively impact the marital relationship. Few previous studies and interventions have considered the effects deployment can have on dual-military married couples. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine what coping strategies dual-military couples used during deployment and whether use of these strategies affected their relationship satisfaction (RS). The theoretical framework for this study consisted of the social exchange theory and the exchange-based dual-military marriage model. A sample of 103 dual-military Army spouses, male or female, was recruited through social media and completed the survey instruments. The Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and the Work-Family Conciliation Strategies Scale (WFCSS) were used to measure the predictive relationship between coping strategies (partner coping, positive attitudes towards multiple roles, planning and management skills, professional adjustments, and institutional support) and (RS) among dual-military spouses. Multiple linear regression was conducted to identify the association between the predictor and dependent variables. Results indicated that spouses’ increased scores on WFCSS were related to an increase in scores on the RAS. This suggests that having a more positive attitude towards the work-family arrangement and multiple roles, the greater RS. Positive social change in the form of additional training or counseling for dual-military couples regarding effective coping strategies during deployment are implicated.

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