The Moderating Effect of Social Support on the Relationship Between Duration of Deployment and Psychological Distress for Wives During Post-Deployment

• Main Author: Vincenzes, Kristin A
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2013
• Subjects: Counseling Psychology; Military studies
• ISBN: 9781303254680; 1303254689

Deployments have been found to impact stay-behind wives' psychological well-being, which may result in marital discord and domestic violence, particularly during post-deployment. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of perceived social support on the relationship between length of deployment and psychological distress of stay-behind wives during post-deployment. The research questions for the study identified the relationship between duration of deployment and psychological distress during post-deployment as well as the impact of social support on the preliminary relationship. Bowlby's theory of attachment served as the theoretical foundation to examine this quantitative cross-sectional study. Purposive/volunteer sampling was used to survey 57 military wives whose husband served in the Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, National Guard, or Reserves. Stepwise multiple regression analysis found that deployments lasting 6 months or more created significant psychological distress for wives after deployment. In addition, an inter-relational correlation was done to aggregate a new social support variable (relational social support). The new variable was entered in a stepwise regression model and results indicated a mediating relationship between duration of deployment and psychological distress. Recommendations for future research include (a) analyzing the male spouse's experiences of social support and (b) gathering more data on the new social support variable. This research will impact social change by offering the community working with these women an opportunity to attend to the unique needs of the military wife so that her individual psychological needs can be addressed. In addition, it may further promote successful reintegration of the soldiers and their families.