Military Spouses

The Effects of Deployment and Reintegration on Military Spouses Military families are dynamic, different, and often face different challenges than the average civilian family. Their involvement with the military can provide a wide range of challenges, such as relocation, separation when one or both parents are deployed, and possible mental health issues when returning from duty. Often, the focus is shifted more towards the returning warrior, who may come back facing moderate to severe problems, such as anxiety, nightmares, depression, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, the supporting spouses are often placed in the backseat, and their problems are not heard as loudly as the veteran’s. Military spouses may face just as many

These relocations can cause disruptions in family life, friendships, and school life, breaking the necessary social support and bonds formed, forcing the spouse and children to constantly seek out new relationships. Often times, only one spouse will gain benefits, such as a higher paying job or a better career prospect, and the other spouse benefits less or rarely benefits from the move at all. Overall, the husband is more likely to be in the military and the wife is the one who is the “tied-mover”, moving for the economic gain of her husband (Cooke & Speirs, 2005). However, being a tied migrant to one’s spouse is disruptive of employment, and leaves the spouse more dependent on their military spouse. This disruption in employment can mean that the spouse had to give up their own careers and jobs to relocate and be with their spouse, who is most likely relocating because of their military involvement. Military spouses are less likely to be employed and more likely to be seeking employment than the average civilian spouse (Harrell, Lim, Castaneda, & Golinelli, 2004). This leads to the military spouse earning a lower income or no income at all, making them more reliant and dependent on their spouse who is making an income with the

This can have the spouse feeling left out or helpless. They may feel the need to step in further to help their warrior partner in recovery, or they may need help for themselves. One treatment model that is spouse-inclusive is Behavioral Couple’s Therapy (BCT). BCT is a type of couple’s therapy where both members can come in and talk about their thoughts, emotions, and troubles in a safe therapeutic space (Sayers, 2011). Problems that may come up in therapy can include infidelity while the spouse was away, feeling like the returned spouse is quiet or keeping secrets, or that one spouse has begun to order the other around. Stress can build up if problems are not sorted out or dealt with, leading to more arguments and frustrations. The returned spouse can feel left out of family matters because they are excluded in the household duties, however the spouse that stayed behind could have simply become used to taking care of the household themselves, and refuse to relinquish control as the head of the household. This clash can cause arguments and a power imbalance. If the fighting becomes too severe, this may affect the children or other members of the family. BCT is a good start to solving marital and household issues. BCT stresses the importance of communication, trust, and validation of emotions. If a partner does not feel safe expressing their feelings, they are more likely to keep it inside. Emotions