Depressive Symptoms and Mechanisms of Relational Turbulence as Predictors of Relationship Satisfaction Among Returning Service Members

Leanne K. Knobloch, Jennifer A. Theiss

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In contrast to romanticized portrayals of reunion after deployment, U.S. military personnel may contend with the harsh reality of both depressive symptoms and upheaval in their romantic relationships during the postdeployment transition. This study employed the relational turbulence model to evaluate mechanisms linking depressive symptoms with relationship satisfaction. Cross-sectional, self-report data were collected from 220 service members living in 27 states who had returned home from deployment within the past six months. As hypothesized, the negative association between depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction was mediated by relational uncertainty and interference from partners. These findings advance scholarship on depressive symptoms and relational turbulence, and they also suggest guidelines for helping service members with depressive symptoms maintain satisfying romantic relationships upon reentry.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)470-478
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Family Psychology
Volume25
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2011

Keywords

  • Interference from partners
  • Military deployment
  • Relational turbulence
  • Relational uncertainty
  • Relationship satisfaction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

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