ABSTRACT

Family stress theory explains how demands placed on the family system interact with capabilities to influence family adaptation. One capability that some military families may use naturalistically is that of benefit-finding, the recognition of value and benefit after a stressful or traumatic experience. In this mixed methods study, authors explore the perception of benefits associated with military service amongst 26 home-front mothers. Methods incorporate a self-report questionnaire adapted for this population and a qualitative interview aimed at understanding challenges and benefits associated with these women’s experiences as members of a military family. Results revealed that more women than not endorsed meaningful changes that they have experienced as a result of their family’s military service, despite a wide range of challenges and negative experiences. Four themes of benefits emerged from analyses: (a) financial, educational and career benefits; (b) cultivating strength; (c) friendships and community; and (d) pride. These findings illuminate the diverse ways in which women find meaning in their family’s military service and upon replication and elaboration of these results, have clinical implications for the development of future prevention and intervention work with military families.

摘要

家庭压力理论解释了对家庭系统的需求如何与影响家庭适应的能力相互作用。一些军人家庭可以自然地使用的一种能力是利益发现，即在经历过压力或创伤后，认识到价值和利益。在这项混合方法研究中，作者探索了26位家庭在外母亲中与服兵役有关的收益感。方法包括针对该人群的自我报告调查表和定性访谈，旨在了解与这些妇女作为军人家庭的经历相关的挑战和好处。结果表明，有更多的妇女赞成由于家庭服兵役而经历的有意义的改变，尽管面临各种各样的挑战和负面经验。分析得出了四个主题的收益：（a）经济，教育和职业收益；（b）培养力量；（c）友谊和社区；（d）骄傲。这些发现阐明了妇女在家庭兵役中发现意义的各种方式，并且根据这些结果的复制和阐述，对今后与军人家庭的预防和干预工作的发展具有临床意义。