Date of Conferral

4-27-2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Silvia Bigatti

Abstract

The focus of this study was to explore the lived experiences of civilian husbands during the deployment of their active-duty spouses. Although there is plenty of information concerning the negative and demanding impacts of deployment on female spouses and children, more is needed to understand the lived experiences of husbands of deployed soldiers. Research has confirmed that husbands of deployed soldiers have distinctive gender-specific needs that have been inadequately addressed, leading to adverse psychosocial effects. The couple adaptation to traumatic stress model and gender role theory served as the frameworks for this study to identify the psychosocial issues faced by husbands, addressing a current gap in the literature. Individual interviews were conducted with 10 male spouses to expand insight into their lived experiences associated with spouse deployment. The interview data were examined for common themes. Five themes emerged: (a) deployed female spouses suffered injuries during deployment; (b) geographic relocation had both positive and negative impacts on male spouses and children; (c) postdeployment experiences negatively affected children, careers, and marriages; (d) participants received insufficient support from therapists and social workers; and (e) the quality and availability of support programs varied by individual experience. The findings provide insights into better services for husbands of female deployed service members, with implications for positive social change.

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