Family Responses to a Study of Available Support Systems during Separation
Abstract
A group of 85 Navy families who experienced routine nine-month military separations were asked to report their perceptions of available service supports existing prior to deployment, during separation, and at reunion. In addition, their reactions to participation in this in-depth family research project were elicited. With rare exception, results showed that families did not perceive family research interviews as an invasion of privacy - in fact they welcomed them and viewed them as a demonstration of genuine interest in their families and in their presonal opinions. The majority of the families believed that participation in the study made a favorable impact on their family. Wives, more so than husbands, expressed the need for counseling services both before, during and following separation, which would indicate that there should be ongoing supports for families - not merely during the separation period. Results also showed that telephone and mail communications between spouses during separation were important in dealing with the stress of separation. Counseling and/or group activities during the separation period to provide reassurance and emotional support for wives were frequently noted as a much needed service, which were not always available. Both husband and wives reported that they could have benefitted from family counseling services subsequent to the husband's return to facilitate the family reintegration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 18, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA100230
Entities
People
- Dorothy Benson
- Ed Van Vranken
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center