The Role of the Military Family in the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Ill and Injured Service Members

Abstract

(from the chapter) It has long been known that social support plays an important role as a protective factor for traumatic stress and associated psychopathology, but there are many unanswered questions about specific aspects of social support that may impact recovery following injury/illness. The present study examines the impact of illness and injury on serving members' family relationships and explores the impact of these relationships on their recovery and rehabilitation. Analyses of data based on injured members' reports indicate that the role of spouses was found to be critical in initial recognition of the members' illness/injury and in motivating military members to seek help. Furthermore, the specific factors that may impede the spouse's ability to provide adequate support were identified. These findings provide important information for planning early intervention strategies that incorporate spouses of ill/injured service members in order to reduce the negative impacts of injury on the marital relationship and to enhance the spouse's ability to provide health-enhancing support. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).