Examination of the relationship between self and choice of coping strategies among U.S. active duty military wives
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Page, A. P., Ross, A. M., & Solomon, P. (2023). Examination of the relationship between self and choice of coping strategies among U.S. active duty military wives. Armed Forces and Society, 49(3), 687-712. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X221081222
Abstract Created by REACH:
This study examined whether military wives’ sense of self (i.e., identity status, selfconcept clarity, role conflict, mastery, and self-monitoring) was associated with their emotion-focused coping (i.e., efforts to temper feelings) and problem-focused coping (i.e., efforts to change a stressor). 202 military wives reported on their identity status (i.e., achieved, moratorium, foreclosed, or diffused), selfconcept clarity (i.e., their understanding of their own attributes), role conflict (i.e., having multiple roles with contradicting demands), mastery (i.e., perceived control over one’s life), and self-monitoring (i.e., attentiveness and adjustment to social cues). Overall, military wives with an achieved identity status tended to use more emotion-focused coping, and wives with a moratorium identity tended to use more problem-focused coping.
Focus:
Mental health
Other
Branch of Service:
Army
Navy
Marine Corps
Air Force
Coast Guard
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Cross-Sectional Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Page, Amy P., Ross, Abigail M., Solomon, Phyllis
Abstract:
Previous research indicates that one’s identity relates to one’s use of specific coping strategies. Exploring the relationship between self and coping in military wives is crucial to understanding how they manage military lifestyle-related stressors. The researchers hypothesized that identity status, self-concept clarity, self-monitoring, mastery, and role conflict will be related to choice of emotion-focused coping or problem-focused coping strategies. Two hundred two participants completed an anonymous online survey containing standardized scales. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses revealed that emotion-focused coping had positive relationships with achieved identity status and role conflict. Problem-focused coping had positive relationships with moratorium status, self-concept clarity, self-monitoring, and mastery. Findings provide preliminary support that sense of self is important in understanding how military wives choose to cope with particular challenges.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Sage Journals
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, APP
Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, AMR
University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice, PS
Keywords:
coping strategies, military wife
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
REACH Newsletter: