Health-Related Impact of Deployment Extensions on Spouses of Active Duty Army Personnel

Military Medicine, Mar 2008 by SteelFisher, Gillian K, Zaslavsky, Alan M, Blendon, Robert J

ABSTRACT This study examined problems pertaining to the health and well-being of Army spouses during deployment, comparing those whose experienced extensions of their partners' deployments with those whose partners returned home on time or early. It used data from a 2004 survey of 798 spouses of active duty personnel. Controlling for demographic and deployment characteristics, spouses who experienced extensions fared worse on an array of measures, including mental well-being (e.g., feelings of depression), household strains (e.g., problems with household and car maintenance), and some areas of their jobs (having to stop work or to work fewer hours). There were no statistically significant differences regarding problems pertaining to their overall health, marriage, other work issues, finances, relationships with Army families, or safety. However, spouses who experienced extensions were more likely to perceive the Army negatively during deployment. These findings suggest that deployment extensions may exacerbate certain problems and frustrations for Army spouses.

INTRODUCTION

Extensions of deployments have played an important role in fulfilling military manpower requirements in recent years. Although precise figures concerning extensions are difficult to obtain, publicly reported data from the Department of Defense suggest that nearly one-third of military personnel deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom experienced extended tours and/or repeated deployments in 2004, the year of this study.1 Extensions and related deployment strategies (such as cyclic rotations) are likely to continue because the military has sustained an increasing number of overseas missions in recent decades2 and currently has significant personnel needs for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.3,4 Understanding how extensions affect military spouses is an important part of manpower policy-making, because families provide critical support for personnel.5,6 The lay press has offered anecdotal evidence suggesting that extending deployments may negatively affect military families by creating financial strain and poor mental health.7-9 However, no scholarly research has been published to date regarding the effects of extended deployment for spouses in the current military context.

Previous research on military spouses (primarily wives) focused on the repercussions of deployments or separations in general. This research showed that some spouses find a sense of accomplishment, enjoy the freedom from routine, and make new friendships in the context of separations; therefore, the experience may have positive consequences.10 On balance, however, anecdotes, military policy, and research suggest that deployments and other separations are stressful for spouses at home.11,12 Spouses can become overwhelmed and experience symptoms of loneliness, anger, and depression.13,14 Although there is little evidence that somatic illness increases during separations, spouses may be more likely to visit the doctor or to bring their children to the doctor.15,16 Separations can also strain the marital relationship.17

There is no scholarly research demonstrating that extensions of deployment in the current wartime context are particularly problematic. This seems likely, however, given that certain kinds of separations are more stressful for families. Separations tiiat are more frequent, require more time apart, or occur in hostile zones or during wartime are associated with increased problems.18,19 Furthermore, the current military context has unique stressors (e.g., terrorism and heat) that may create new concerns for spouses.20 Spouses also report that the greater availability of information on television and the Internet has created the potential for information overload and subsequent stress.21

Research about separations suggests that certain spouses are more likely to experience problems. In general, younger wives and those married to personnel in lower ranks do not fare as well.22,23 These wives generally have less life, marital, and military experience, all of which may reduce their ability to handle the strain of separation.24 Research suggests that children can be sources of both strain and comfort, but wives who are pregnant, have young children, and have more than one child face particular challenges.25,26 Wives with greater social support (from fantily members, friends, other military spouses, or formal support groups) or financial support fare much better.27 Many of these characteristics also appear to shape spouse well-being in the military, regardless of separations.28 In addition, spouses who are employed may fare better in military life overall,29-31 whereas spouses who are foreign-born appear to fare worse.32

The primary goal of this study was to evaluate directly the association of Army deployment extensions with deployment-related problems for spouses. This study examined the experiences of Army spouses in three areas, namely, (1) perceived negative impact of deployment on spheres of life that contribute to well-being, including mental well-being and health; (2) perceived deployment-induced problems in the operations of daily life; and (3) perceptions of the Army during deployment. It was hypothesized that spouses who experienced deployment extensions would report higher rates of problems and would evaluate the Army more negatively. However, we anticipated two exceptions to this hypothesis. We expected no differences in perceived financial impact, because families are often explicitly compensated for separations. We also expected no differences in relationships with other families in the spouses' units, because such relationships can serve as a social support during separations. To evaluate these relationships, we analyzed data from a random probability sample using logistic regression, which controlled for some factors not considered in other studies of military spouses. Information obtained through this study should help policymakers to plan personnel strategies and family support services. In addition, this study helps address the relative paucity of research on military families more broadly.