Work Separation Demands and Spouse Psychological Well-Being

Using family resilience and ecological theories, we examine the relationship between partner work-required travel separations and spouse psychological well-being. The study examines the role of work-organization-provided supports for families and of informal support networks, including marital satisfaction, as factors that can reduce the risks for indicators of poor well-being. The data come from a probability sample survey of 8,056 female spouses of U.S. Army personnel, with considerable variation in the amount of travel-related separations. Findings indicate risks for poor psychological well-being are greater for spouses who experience more frequent work-related separations. Findings also indicate that both work organization support and informal support network connections are significant protective factors for spouses experiencing these separations.