Employment, Relationship, and Parenting Stress Among Post-9/11 Veterans: Life Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic took a heavy toll on the mental and physical health of U.S. citizens, particularly among females. This study used a large sample of post-9/11 veterans to examine how their psychological stress levels and satisfaction with certain aspects of life changed prior to and then after the COVID-19 pandemic. Life domains included employment, social, relationships, and parenting. Data examined were collected from a large sample of post-9/11 veterans approximately four years after leaving the military (pre-COVID-19; n = 5258) and six years after separation (post-COVID-19; n = 3180). Data on the relationship and parenting domains were gathered from post-9/11 veterans living with a partner or married or cohabitating (n = 4714), while data on parenting was collected from those who had children aged 18 or younger (n = 3835). In general, female post-9/11 veterans reported significantly higher levels of stress both before and after COVID-19 and lower levels of life satisfaction relative to their male veteran peers. Female veterans also evidenced steeper increases in stress and declines in satisfaction from pre-to-post-COVID-19. Work, child-rearing, and household management demands of the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected female veterans. As a result, the gender-specific vulnerabilities found in this study were not surprising. To bolster the well-being of female veterans who may face future life shocks, such as a pandemic, targeted support such as respite care and female veteran support groups should be available.