Family Factors Affecting Retention: A Review of the Literature
Abstract
This report summarizes and critiques prior research linking family factors to soldier retention over the last 15 years. The research shows a consistent relationship between spouse support for the military career and both career intent and actual retention behavior. The more positive and supportive the spouse, the greater the likelihood of the soldier's remaining in the military. The soldier's satisfaction with the military as a good place to raise a family, degree of organizational commitment, and satisfaction with military life are also related to retention. Awareness of the existence of community programs (even when they are not used) increases satisfaction with military life and enhances retention. However, the relationship between retention and satisfaction with specific family programs, policies, and other aspects of military life is less clear. The review shows that little is known about the process used by families to make actual retention decisions. Such information should be useful to policy makers and program managers who would like to influence that decision to benefit the Army. The review also showed the need for multivariate and other more sophisticated research designs for testing the relative influence of key family variables in the stay-leave decision.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA210506
Entities
People
- Rose M. Etheridge
Organizations
- RTI International