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

References 1. Army G MHAT 2007 & Briana, S. et al. (2007) The impact of individual trauma symptoms of deployed Soldiers on relationship satisfaction, Journal of Family Psychology, 21;3, 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;

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO 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, 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, Casey et. al (2008). An examination of family adjustment among operation desert storm veterans. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 76;4, 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 ).

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO BRIEFING OUTLINE Fact or Myth Army Divorce Rates Exercise Theoretical Perspectives Impact on Mission Readiness Way Ahead

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO Fact or Myth (1 of 2) Civilian vs. Army Divorce rates are rising. Nearly half of marriages end in divorce. 2 nd 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)

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO 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)

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO 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

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO Army Demographics Legend –Married to Civilian – C Male Soldiers Female Soldiers –Joint Military Marriage - J

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

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

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO TAB C Deployed female officers have a higher divorce rate than non- deployed female officers.

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO Divorce StatisticsPre 9/11*Today Female enlisted4.4%9.1% Female officers4.1%5.2% Male enlisted1.9%3.0% Male officers1.8% *FY01 rates

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO 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

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO 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,

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO 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

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO 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.

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO 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

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO 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

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO Risk Factors Empirically 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

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO 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

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO 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

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO 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

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO Way Ahead Research 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

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO Way Ahead Prevention & 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

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO QUESTIONS???