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The experience of deployment for partners of military personnel: a qualitative meta-synthesis

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>2016
<mark>Journal</mark>Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy
Issue number2
Volume15
Number of pages19
Pages (from-to)102-120
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date2/03/16
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

It is well acknowledged that deployment can have a significant impact on military personnel; however, the effect on their partners who remain on the homefront is less researched. This meta-synthesis aimed to explore the experience of deployment for partners of military personnel to provide a greater understanding of the challenges and responses involved for them. Noblit and Hare's (1988) meta-ethnographic approach was adopted to synthesize 11 qualitative studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The five core concepts to emerge from the meta-synthesis were the multitude of emotions; methods of coping; communication with their partner; relentless responsibilities; and positive outcomes. These findings provide a developed understanding of how challenges of deployment are managed, including negative outcomes and protective psychological responses and behaviors. The limitations of these findings are discussed, as are clinical implications and recommendations for future research.