New research has explored relationship satisfaction among military couples and personnel/Veterans
Two new papers on relationship satisfaction have recently been published by researchers at the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR). These papers provide important insight into romantic relationship outcomes and dynamics among military personnel/Veterans and recommend a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of relationship satisfaction in the Armed Forces community that moves away from considering only negative outcomes and detrimental impacts of mental health. They also encourage greater consideration of couples as an inter-connected unit where the role of mental health is not limited to personnel only.
The first, Married in the military: Relationship satisfaction and distress among serving U.K. couples, Gribble et al., 2025, examined relationship distress among 219 military couples (Serving male personnel and non-Serving female partner). We know from other studies that the mental health of both couple members can support or challenge relationship health, but many studies examining relationship satisfaction/distress in military couples look only at personnel mental health, missing the potential role the mental health of the non-Serving partner may play. This study found that four in ten couples contained at least one member who met criteria for relationship distress (Dyadic Adjustment Scale–7 < 21), suggesting high levels of relationship distress among UK military couples. Importantly, the study highlights the role of military partner mental health, with lower relationship satisfaction among partners with increased post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and those in relationships with personnel of lower rank. We encourage researchers and practitioners to consider broader couple mental health when supporting personnel and their families with relationship issues.
The second paper, Relationship Satisfaction Change Among UK Service Personnel: Associations with Socio-Demographics, Military Factors, and Mental Health, Scalco et al., 2025, examined positive and negative changes in relationship satisfaction between two-time points (2007-2009; 2014-2016) using data from 3,845 male and female personnel and Veterans. The team decided to look at these changes as research tends to take a deficit approach, focusing on poorer outcomes only. The study found that most personnel/Veterans reported no change in relationship satisfaction over time, suggesting high rates of stability in relationship happiness.
The research team looked at a number of different factors associated with positive and negative change in relationship satisfaction among personnel/Veterans, including mental health, alcohol use, family structure, and adverse childhood experiences. They found positive change (e.g., going from dissatisfied to satisfied) was more likely among personnel/Veterans who were in a long-term relationship compared to those who were married, those who reduced their alcohol misuse, and those reporting ongoing alcohol misuse at both time points. Negative change (e.g. going from satisfied to dissatisfied) was more likely among personnel/Veterans with new mental health problems (probable PTSD, common mental disorders (CMD), or alcohol misuse) and those with children under 18 years of age. This study highlights the complexity of factors associated with relationship satisfaction among military personnel and Veterans, with some linked with both positive and negative changes in relationship satisfaction. It is possible that adverse circumstances do not always have a negative impact on relationships and could, in fact, promote growth and development in some circumstances.
Overall, we find stable levels of relationship satisfaction over time among personnel/Veterans. Further research on the ‘no change’ group may provide insights that could be used to help military couples who experience less stable relationship satisfaction over time. Further research is also needed to consider the non-Serving partners’ perceptions of relationship outcomes and how these may vary over time.
For further information or questions, please contact Dr Rachael Gribble [email protected].
Many thanks to Dr Rachael Gribble for authoring this New Research Spotlight.
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References
[1] Gribble, R., Goodwin, L., & Fear, N. T. (2025). Married in the military: Relationship satisfaction and distress among serving U.K. couples. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice. Available at: link.
[2] Scalco, G., Fear, N.T., Burdett, H & Gribble, R. (2025). Relationship Satisfaction Change Among UK Service Personnel: Associations with Socio-Demographics, Military Factors, and Mental Health. Military Psychology. Available at: link.
