Prolonged Family Separation in the Military: A Longitudinal Study.

摘要

This paper covers three specific areas of family adjustment to the prisoner of war situation: (1) family adjustment to the separation period; (2) family reintegration following the separation period; and (3) children's adjustment to separation and reunion. Findings indicated that husband/father absence within the POW situation appears to be unique; the unprecedented length of absence and its unknown and unpredictable outcome added to the complexity of the more usual separation during a routine unaccompanied tour of duty. Marital satisfaction prior to the separation, length of marriage, and the wife's emotional dysfunction during the separation were all major predictors of family reintegration following the prolonged period of father/husband absence. The children of these families exhibited difficulties with their social and personal adjustment following father's return. (Author)