ABSTRACT

A major concern for the U.S. military, its personnel, and their family members, is mental health among the ranks. Suicide rates among military veterans and active duty military personnel steadily increased post 9/11. Trends show service members are unlikely to seek support for mental health concerns primarily due to the stigma in the military and the broader culture around the issue. We sought to understand the challenges military personnel and their spouses face post-deployment when talking about, suggesting, and seeking mental health support. We interviewed 50 U.S. military service members and their spouses (N = 100). Our thematic analysis identified six dilemmas with three forms (i.e., My, Your, & Our). Findings suggest service members and their families are underserved during the reintegration period and underscore the need for intervention efforts that improve their mental, emotional, and relational well-being.

摘要

美国军队、其人员及其家人的一个主要问题是军人的心理健康。9/11 事件后，退伍军人和现役军人的自杀率稳步上升。趋势表明，军人不太可能寻求心理健康问题的支持，这主要是由于军队中的污名和围绕该问题的更广泛的文化。我们试图了解军事人员及其配偶在谈论、建议和寻求心理健康支持时在部署后面临的挑战。我们采访了 50 名美国军人及其配偶（N= 100）。我们的主题分析确定了具有三种形式（即我的、你的和我们的）的六个困境。调查结果表明，在重新融入社会期间，服役人员及其家人得不到充分的服务，并强调需要采取干预措施来改善他们的心理、情感和关系福祉。