Newswise — EVANSTON, IL – There is no greater service to our country than that provided by military service members. On behalf of the citizens of the United States, uniformed personnel travel far across the globe on missions designed to provide liberty, security, and humanitarian assistance to other parts of the world.
These brave men and women show courage and strength in service to our country. But, how can we ensure their health and well-being when they return home? Support from a spouse or partner is often key during this transition, but can be easily overlooked during the flurry of activity that occurs when service members return home.
In a new study, researchers are working to understand what helps military couples make a smooth transition from deployment to reintegration. The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command has awarded a grant to twin sisters Dr. Leanne Knobloch from the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois and Dr. Lynne Knobloch-Fedders from The Family Institute at Northwestern University to follow military couples from the first days of reunion.
“Our project is designed to investigate the challenges and rewards military couples face during the months after service members return home,” said Dr. Knobloch. “We hope our research will enhance programming designed to help military couples with the transition,” Dr. Knobloch-Fedders added.
Military couples who enroll in their study can earn up to $340 in e-gift cards per couple by completing an online survey once per month for the first eight months after homecoming. Couples can reserve their spot in advance of their reunion, and they are eligible if they complete the first survey within 7 days of homecoming.
Although the time during reintegration is very busy, the researchers’ goal is to recruit 250 military couples to join the study. “Beyond receiving e-gift cards as an incentive to participate, couples in our study have the satisfaction of knowing their efforts will help future military couples with this transition,” Dr. Knobloch said.
Military couples from any branch or component who will be reunited following deployment in the next several months are welcome to claim their spot in the study. Visit http://publish.illinois.edu/military-couples-study/ for more information on how to sign up.
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