There are three stages of deployment (pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment) which have unique challenges for military wives. Previous research has not addressed coping strategies and experiences of deployment through the various stages. Using survey data from wives (N = 259) of current or past military men who had been through at least one deployment, this paper reveals that actual deployment was the most difficult deployment stage and talking with other military wives was the most helpful strategy for coping with deployment. Ambiguous loss theory is suggested as a framework for examining these results. 

Beth Easterling, M.S., Sociology, University of Tennessee.

David Knox, Ph.D., Professor, Sociology, East Carolina University

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http://www.journaloffamilylife.org/militarywives.html