TY - JOUR
T1 - Strong army couples
T2 - A case study of rekindling marriage after combat deployment
AU - Melvin, Kristal C.
AU - Wenzel, Jennifer
AU - Jennings, Bonnie Mowinski
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PY - 2015/2/1
Y1 - 2015/2/1
N2 - Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), occurring in 15% of combat-exposed military personnel, are associated with a decrease in couples' relationship quality. The purpose of this analysis was to describe reintegration in Army couples with high couple functioning, despite PTSS in one or both partners. Reintegration refers to readjustment after deployment; returning to previous role(s). In a mixed-methods case study of Army couples with a history of combat deployment, we used existing quantitative data to define sampling boundaries, select cases, and guide interviews. Couples scoring high on couple functioning, resilience, and couple satisfaction were interviewed (N=5 couples, 10 participants). "Rekindling marriage" required strategies to overcome challenges during couple reintegration. For participants as individuals, those strategies were allowing negative emotions, giving each other time and space to do the work of rediscovery and accepting a changed reality, and recognizing and addressing individual needs of the other. As couples, strategies were to go with the flow, open your heart, become best friends, maintain trust, and communicate effectively. As families, strategies were to normalize schedules and protect family time. Findings offer a preliminary basis for interventions to promote strong relationships for military couples with PTSS.
AB - Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), occurring in 15% of combat-exposed military personnel, are associated with a decrease in couples' relationship quality. The purpose of this analysis was to describe reintegration in Army couples with high couple functioning, despite PTSS in one or both partners. Reintegration refers to readjustment after deployment; returning to previous role(s). In a mixed-methods case study of Army couples with a history of combat deployment, we used existing quantitative data to define sampling boundaries, select cases, and guide interviews. Couples scoring high on couple functioning, resilience, and couple satisfaction were interviewed (N=5 couples, 10 participants). "Rekindling marriage" required strategies to overcome challenges during couple reintegration. For participants as individuals, those strategies were allowing negative emotions, giving each other time and space to do the work of rediscovery and accepting a changed reality, and recognizing and addressing individual needs of the other. As couples, strategies were to go with the flow, open your heart, become best friends, maintain trust, and communicate effectively. As families, strategies were to normalize schedules and protect family time. Findings offer a preliminary basis for interventions to promote strong relationships for military couples with PTSS.
KW - Adaptation
KW - Coping
KW - Couples
KW - Military
KW - Mixed methods
KW - Post-traumatic stress
KW - Resilience
KW - Veteran
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U2 - 10.1002/nur.21630
DO - 10.1002/nur.21630
M3 - Article
C2 - 25352334
AN - SCOPUS:84921033521
SN - 0160-6891
VL - 38
SP - 7
EP - 18
JO - Research in Nursing and Health
JF - Research in Nursing and Health
IS - 1
ER -