Young Single Soldiers and Relationships
Abstract
This research examines the impact of boyfriend and girlfriend relationships on the readiness, retention, and support service needs of young single soldiers in the Army. It is the first major investigation in this area and offers military leaders a new look at the transitions soldiers make from single to married status and the effects of those transitions on behavior, attitudes, and needs. The data were collected from a random sample of 11,035 soldiers in 1989. The analyses were conducted on 2,242 single soldiers in the junior enlisted (Private-Sergeant) and officer (Second Lieutenant--Captain) grades under 30 years of age with no children. A sample of 1,017 young married soldiers with no children who reported they were happily married was examined using the same variables for comparison purposes. It was found that involvement in relationships had a significant effect on soldiers and that effects varied according to the seriousness of the relationship, the gender of the soldier, and the race/ethnic status of the soldier. There was an overall trend toward higher job performance and Army commitment among those in relationships, but this was less true for minority and female soldiers than for male soldiers. Single soldiers, Performance, Readiness. I Retention Psychological adjustment Support services
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA279167
Entities
People
- Dennis K. Orthner
- Gary L. Bowen
- Kathrine A. Short
- Laura I. Zimmerman
Organizations
- RTI International