Family Adjustment of Single Parents in the U. S. Army: An Empirical Analysis of Work Stressors and Adaptive Resources.

摘要

Based on a sample of 238 single parents who participated in the 1989 Army Soldier and Family Survey, this research examines the relative contributions of work stressors, family and community resources, and Army support resources to the family adjustment of single parents on active duty in the U.S. Army. Single fathers and mothers are compared across each of the variables in the analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression is used to determine the relative impact of potential stressors and resources on the family adjustment of single fathers and mothers. The results from the comparative analysis indicate that single fathers are more likely to report personal and family vulnerabilities and difficulties than single mothers, including lower overall family adjustment to the demands of Army life. The regression results indicate that the adaptation of single mother and single father families to Army demands is influenced more strongly by the availability of family, community, and Army resources than by the presence of work stressors. Although important differences are found in the operation of these resource variables for single fathers and mothers, internal family strength and the perceived support of Army policies emerge as the two most important single predictors of the family adjustment of both single fathers and mothers. Based on these findings, recommendation focus on Army policies and program that encourage family strengths and provide supportive resources to families. Single parents, Family, Adaptation, Community, Adjustment, Stress.