Military Wives: Stress, Strain, and Alcohol Use

Date of Award

1986

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Institution Granting Degree

University of Pittsburgh

Cedarville University School or Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Gary F. Koeske

Second Advisor

Hidenori Yamatani

Third Advisor

Lambert Maguire and William Hall

Keywords

military wives, alcohol abuse

Abstract

This study investigated a number of important issues in the lives of women married to active duty military personnel. The study sample consisted of 119 military wives who were experiencing long term separation from their husbands. A self-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on a wide range of life issues.

Besides gathering background and demographic data, this study collected information on the drinking behaviors and life satisfaction of the study sample. Stress theory and a theoretical stress-strain-outcome model was used to examine the effects of military related life issues on the three outcome variables of quantity and frequency of drinking, problems associated with drinking, and general life satisfaction. Coping skills and social support were considered as potential moderating variables.

Stressful life conditions were treated as the independent variable and the concept of strain was treated as an intervening variable in a "Stress-Strain-Life Outcome" model.

Analysis of the study model suggested that stress can contribute to an understanding of life outcomes. The concept of strain appeared to be an important intervening variable. However, the data failed to support that the coping and social support variables acted as moderating influences.

Comments

© Nelson L. Henning, 1986. All rights reserved.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Author Type

Faculty

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