Sanctions, Support & Service Leavers: Welfare conditionality and transitions from military to civilian life. First-wave findings.
Abstract: This report presents the first-wave findings of an ongoing project funded by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) called Sanctions, Support and Service Leavers: Welfare conditionality and transitions from military to civilian life. The overall aim of this project is to provide the first substantive qualitative research that focuses specifically on how veterans and their families experience the mainstream social security benefits system as part of their transition to civilian life.
Abstract: The unique demands of military life can adversely impact romantic relationships; however, research has mainly focused on these adverse outcomes at one-time point, overlooking changes over time or potential positive outcomes. Using a subsample of 3,845 male and female military personnel and veterans from a large UK dataset, this study examined positive and negative changes in relationship satisfaction between two-time points (2007–2009; 2014–2016). Most participants reported no change in their relationship satisfaction, suggesting stability − 8% reported a positive change and 10% a negative change. Positive change was associated with being in a long-term relationship, alcohol misuse remission, and persistent alcohol misuse. Negative change was associated with the onset of mental health problems (probable PTSD, CMD, or alcohol misuse) and having children under 18. Some factors, like increasing age, childhood family relationship adversity, and mental health problems, were associated with both positive and negative changes in relationship satisfaction. This study highlights the complexity of factors associated with relationship satisfaction among military personnel and veterans, with some experiencing positive changes, as well as negative changes over time.