Brief-Systemic Programs for Promoting Mental Health and Relationship Functioning in Military Couples and Families

Military service members and veterans (SMVs) are considered at risk for developing a variety of relational and mental health concerns. Often, their families also face hardships due to stressors associated with deployment and reintegration, as well as the interpersonal effects of distress. However, there are few systems-oriented services available to military couples and families. Similarly, the services that are available often go underutilized. To address these gaps, we review existing brief-systemic programs, which show promise for attracting and helping military families in need. In addition to describing the theoretical underpinnings that support these models and the limited empirical evidence behind them, we also provide recommendations for military scholars and program developers to improve services for SMVs and their families.