Researchers have studied the effects of partner support on military personnel for decades, but it remains unclear how this aspect of marriage affects resilience and emotional regulation during deployment. Resilience refers to an individual's ability to adapt positively to stressful situations, while emotional regulation involves managing one's emotions effectively. Both resilience and emotional regulation are crucial for maintaining mental health, productivity, and relational stability. This study aimed to explore how partner support influences these outcomes among active-duty service members.
The research design was a cross-sectional survey study, with a sample of 100 married men and women currently serving in the U.S. Army. Participants completed questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, marital satisfaction, partner support, resilience, and emotional regulation. The survey questions were based on validated scales and included items like "How often do you feel your spouse is there for you?" or "How well do you bounce back from challenges?".
Analysis revealed that participants who reported higher levels of partner support had greater resilience and better emotional regulation than those with lower support levels. In fact, partner support significantly predicted both variables when controlling for other relevant factors such as age, education, and deployment length. These findings suggest that partner support can play a vital role in promoting psychological well-being in military families.
The analysis also showed that partner support did not predict relational stability per se. While some studies have found that partner support protects against divorce, this study suggests that it may only influence resilience and emotional regulation, but not marital quality directly. Future research should examine how these three variables relate more comprehensively, potentially identifying additional protective mechanisms that buffer military couples from stressors during deployment.
Partner support appears to be an essential factor affecting resilience and emotional regulation during active-duty service. Military personnel with higher levels of partner support report greater psychological strength and better ability to manage their emotions, leading to improved overall well-being. This finding highlights the importance of maintaining strong relationships among service members, which could contribute to healthier marriages and family dynamics after retirement.
In what ways does partner support influence resilience, emotional regulation, and relational stability during active-duty service?
Research suggests that partner support can positively impact active-duty personnel's resilience, emotional regulation, and relational stability (Rosenblatt et al. , 2019). Partners can provide encouragement and empathy when their loved ones experience stressful situations, which helps them cope with challenges and maintain psychological well-being.