AMEDD Center & School Dept of Preventive Health Services Soldier & Family Support Branch

1. AMEDD Center & SchoolDept of Preventive Health Services Soldier & Family Support Branch Army Divorce Rates MAJ (P) Sheila Adams, PhD, LCSW, BCD UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO

2. References • Army G1 • http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hR/demographics.asp • MHAT 2007 & 2008 • Briana, S. et al. (2007) The impact of individual trauma symptoms of deployed Soldiers on relationship satisfaction, Journal of Family Psychology, 21;3, 344-353. • Renshaw et a.. (2008). Psychological Symptoms and marital satisfaction in spouses of Operation Iraq Freedom: Relationships with spouse perceptions of veteran experiences and symptoms. Journal of Family Psychology, 22;35 86-594.

3. References (cont.) 7. Nelson Goff, B. S. & Smith, D. (2005). Systemic Traumatic stress: The couple adaption to traumatic stress model. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 31, 145-157. • Dekel, R., Solomon, X & Bleich, A. (2005). Emotional distress and marital adjustment of caregivers: Contribution of level of impairment and appraised burden. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, 18, 71-82. • Casey et. al (2008). An examination of family adjustment among operation desert storm veterans. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 76;4, 648-656. • King, L.A. & King, D. w. (2204). Male-perpetrated domestic violence: Testing a series of multifactorial family models. In B. Fisher (Ed.). Developments in research practice & policy (report no. 199712).

4. BRIEFING OUTLINE • Fact or Myth • Army Divorce Rates • Exercise • Theoretical Perspectives • Impact on Mission Readiness • Way Ahead

5. Fact or Myth (1 of 2)Civilian vs. Army • Divorce rates are rising. • Nearly half of marriages end in divorce. • 2nd marriages tend to be more successful than first marriages. • Living together reduces the chance of divorce. Reference: David Popenoe, the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J. (2002)

6. Fact or Myth (2 of 2)Civilian vs. Army • Divorce cause problems for children but they are not long lasting. • Following divorce, the children involved are better off in stepfamilies than in single-parent families. • Being very unhappy at certain points in a marriage is a good sign that the marriage will eventually end in divorce. • It is usually men who initiate divorce proceedings. Reference: David Popenoe, the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J. (2002)

7. Army Demographics • Over 1,000,000 Soldiers • 539,675 Soldiers • Women comprise 15.4% of Army strength • 56% of Soldiers married (N=303,929) • 58% Males • 42% Females • 5% Male Dual Active Duty • 38% Female Dual Active Duty • 5% Males Single w/ Children • 14% Females Single w/ Children Reference: G1 Army Demographics, Sept. 2008.

8. Army Demographics • Legend • Married to Civilian – C • Male Soldiers • Female Soldiers • Joint Military Marriage - J

9. Active-Duty Army Divorce Rates by Marriage Type FY04-FY08 C C J Females with civilian spouses had the highest rate of divorce J J J C C Divorce rates for males in dual military marriages were higher than the rates for males married to civilians

10. Since 04, the gap in divorce rates between deployed and non-deployed enlisted females has increased significantly.

11. TAB C Deployed female officers have a higher divorce rate than non-deployed female officers.

13. Demographic Trends – What does it Mean? • The demographic statistics don't explain the reason for marriage failure. • Civilian research fall short in understanding Army population

14. Study • Sample • 45 Male Soldiers • 45 Female Spouses • Mostly recruited from Ft Riley (91%) & Ft Leavenworth area • Average length of deployment 10 months • Average relationship 5 years Briana, S. et al. (2007) The impact of individual trauma symptoms of deployed Soldiers on relationship satisfaction, Journal of Family Psychology, 21;3, 344-353

15. Study (cont.) • Family adjustment problems continuously documented among returning active duty veterans • Increased post deployment rates of PTSD symptoms, depression and anxiety documented after OIF/OEF & Afghanistan. • Increased post deployment mental health concerns evident in OIF/OEF Soldiers and their spouses or relationship non existence • Findings • Soldiers trauma symptoms predicted lower relationship satisfaction • Depression & anxiety symptoms did not predict relationship satisfaction • Individual trauma, sexual problems , dissociation , & sleep disturbances significant predictors of lower marital satisfaction

16. Exercise • Provide 3-5 different theoretical perspectives on why Female Soldiers married to Civilians experience a higher rate of divorce than Male Soldiers married to Civilian Spouses in the Army. • Provide a brief explanation on why deployment may have more of a negative impact on a female’s Soldiers relationship than a male Soldier. • Why do you think that Male Soldiers married to Civilian Spouses have a lower rate of divorce overall.

17. At Risk Population – Female Soldiers • Break away from traditional family roles • Social Desirability (Female hero vs. male caretaker) • Jealousy issues • Infidelity • Women more likely to exhibit PTSD symptoms after deployment • Military life more difficult for civilian husband • Work disruption/change • Less likely to identify with military culture • Military groups more likely to reach out to civilian wives

18. Risk Factors Empirically Supported • Military Specific • Multiple deployers reported higher acute stress than first-time deployers. • Deployment length was related to higher rates of mental-health problems and marital problems. • Trauma symptoms predict lower relationship satisfaction for male Soldiers & their spouses. • Sexual problems, dissociation & sleep disturbance predict lower relationship satisfaction • Male veterans with PTSD are more likely to have a spouse that report marital dissatisfaction and higher levels of psychological & interpersonal distress

19. Risk FactorsEmpirically Supported • Combat exposure + PTSD symptoms = Poor family adjustment---male & female Soldiers (ODS veterans) • Trauma experience + sleep problems, dissociation, & sexual problems = lower relationship satisfaction • Emotional numbing symptoms is a robust predictor of poorer relationship adjustment (WWII ex-prisoners) • Hyper arousal symptoms are a stronger predictor of intimate partner violence

20. Reasons for Divorce (1 of 3) • Lack of commitment to the marriage • Lack of communication between spouses • Infidelity • Abandonment • Alcohol Addiction • Substance Abuse • Physical Abuse • Sexual Abuse • Emotional Abuse • Inability to manage or resolve conflict • Personality Differences or ‘irreconcilable differences’ • Differences in personal and career goals • Financial problems

21. Reasons for Divorce (2 of 3) • Different expectations about having or rearing children • Interference from parents or in-laws • Lack of maturity • Intellectual Incompatibility • Sexual Incompatibility • Insistence of sticking to traditional roles and not allowing room for personal growth • Falling out of love • Religious conversion or religious beliefs • Cultural and lifestyle differences

22. Reasons for Divorce (3 of 3) • Inability to deal with each other’s petty idiosyncrasies • Mental Instability or Mental Illness • Criminal behavior and incarceration for crime

23. Way AheadResearch • Tracking Trends • Identify Targeted Groups • Empirical explanations specific to military populations • Resiliency Centered • Problem Centered • Develop Targeted Intervention Methods • Prevention – Resiliency focused • Treatment – Proven effective Methods • Evaluate effectiveness

24. Way AheadPrevention & Intervention Professionals • Education & awareness • Assessment strategies • Reliable & valid assessment tools • Routinely monitor for risk factors in military couples • Relevant information specific to their situation • Target Intervention approach • Workshops for Women & Civilian Spouses • Encourage personal responsibility

25. QUESTIONS???