Work

Substance Use and Mental Health Among Military Spouses and Partners

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: Research on the behavioral health of military spouses/partners is essential, yet lacking. Data on 344 civilian spouses were drawn from a study of U.S. Army Reserve/National Guard soldier couples. This project characterizes civilian spouses' behavioral health symptoms. Regression analyses assessed the relationship between substance use and mental health symptoms. Overall, findings indicate civilian spouses had behavioral health impairments. Mental health, alcohol use, and tobacco use did not differ by soldiers' deployment history; illicit drug use and non-medical use of prescription drugs did at trend level. Support initiatives focusing on all military spouses, not just those of deployed soldiers, are needed.

Source: Military Behavioral Health

DOI: 10.1080/21635781.2019.1591314

Authors: Jessica A. Kulak, Jennifer Fillo, D. Lynn Homish, Linda Kahn, Gregory G. Homish

Institutions: Buffalo State University, University at Buffalo, State University of New York

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences