| In a time when military personnel are being asked to travel more often, military families left behind are often expected to deal with the emotional, financial, social, and physical impacts of a deployment alone. Utilizing a qualitative analysis design, which integrated qualitative interviewing and a phenomenological method of data analysis approach, this study identified and examined how day-to-day stressors, coping strategies and coping resources affect the military spouse when the military member frequently travels. Compelling themes revealed that frequent military travel comes with its own set of challenges and coping strategies. The pattern of themes exposed as stressors were as follows: pre-deployment stressors: a) no stressors; deployment stressors: a) dealing with things alone, b) never a break, and c) emotional and physical tolls; post deployment stressors: a) disruption to the routine, b) relinquishing control, and c) relationship tension. Emergent themes as coping strategies: pre-deployment coping strategies: a) Get it done; deployment coping strategies: a) routines, b) level of support (extended family, military vs. nonmilitary friends, the military member), and c) telecommunication methods; post deployment coping strategies: a) open communication, and b) quality time; Themes specific to coping resources: a) military services, b) community resources, and c) helpful resources. Although the participants of this study experienced periods of stress throughout the cycle of the deployment there strength was evident as they were able to work well within their circumstances and develop effective coping strategies. |
