Military to Civilian Life: Transition and Reintegration Experiences of Army Wives

Researchers have identified that military-to-civilian transition (MCT) and civilian reintegration is a difficult time for military spouses; as veterans receive transitional assistance and benefits to assist with adjustment, the nonveteran family leaves behind a community of supportive peers and resources. Military spouses feel disconnected and isolated and lack access to service in their civilian community. In this generic qualitative study, the transactional model of stress and coping was used to explore the participants’ appraisal of events during MCT and civilian reintegration, and the coping resources used to address them. Purposeful selection was used in recruiting 18 female participants with no prior military experience, married to Army veterans with 4 or more years of active-duty service who had permanently separated from military service in the past 2 years. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Using thematic analysis of the data, the study found that: (a) support of family and friends was a significant resource during MCT, and (b) participants who appraised benefits and finances as the primary stressors were more intentional about securing housing, employment, and health care benefits, while participants who identified adjustment and mental health as primary stressors secured therapy or counseling services before and/or after military separation. This study contributes to positive social change by addressing the research deficits in military families’ mental health and wellness while highlighting the need for government and community partnerships and involvement in supporting military families.