The effects of stress on the psychological well-being of army wives: initial findings from a longitudinal study.

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between marital and military-specific stress and the general psychological well-being of army wives. These data come from an ongoing three-year longitudinal panel study. Study participants (N = 277) were assessed at two different times 12 to 15 months apart. It was predicted that current marital stress and military life stress would have significant negative (and independent) relationships to well-being, even when prior levels of stress and well-being were taken into consideration. A path model was utilized to analyze the data. These data support the view that both military life stress and marital stress have important independent relationships to the general psychological well-being of army wives. Furthermore, it appears that the relationship between marriage and well-being takes on added importance the longer one stays in the military system.