Formal Support Groups
What is "formal social support"?
What is "informal social support"?
"Informal social support for army families typically derives from relationships between the soldier and spouse, extended family members, friends, other unit members, and their families and neighbors" (Ender, 77)
How does Cherlin define "kin"?
"The usual definition of 'kin' is the people who are related to you by descent (through your mother's or father's line) or marriage" (Cherlin, 6)
What is a straw widow?
"a woman whose partner is away for an undefined period of time" (Ender, 3)
What is the most mentioned formal support service from majority of the spouses?
Family Readiness Group (FRG)
What is the primary source of support for married military spouses?
Husband or wife (Ender, 92)
How does Cherlin define voluntary kinship?
"Kinship ties that people construct with others who are not related to them by blood or marriage" (Cherlin, 6)
What are "the three stages of the emotional cycle of military deployment"?
Pre-deployment, Deployment, Post-Deployment.
What central feature and strength does the FRG hold?
"The central feature and strength of the FRG lie in providing both formal and informal support for spouses" (Ender, 80)
Besides family, friends, extended families and neighbors, what "largest groups" are considered informal support systems"
Chaplains and church groups (Ender, 92).
How does military families relate to the concept of kinship in constructing informal support systems?
Military families - spouses and children- can rely on their extended family members in providing emotional/physical support in the absence of a spouse on deployment.
What effects do longer deployments have on spouses?
"Research shows that longer deployments negatively impact health, especially for female spouses; increase the likelihood of divorce; reduce male civilian spouse marital satisfaction; and alter coping strategies (Ender, 47)
What role does the Rear Detachment Commander play in lives of military families?
"The RDC serves as the conduit between the deployed soldiers of the unit and their spouses and family members worldwide" (Ender, 86)
What significant challenge does spouses face when relying on extended family members for support?
"geographic distance is a significant challenge, especially for overseas families, and some times they can exacerbate problems" (Ender, 92).
How does voluntary kinship networks complement formal support systems such as the Family Readiness Group (FRG)?
Military families can create relationships with other people who are within the same unit and increase participation and support in either volunteering to become a Family Readiness Leader or attending activities/events that supports the mission of the FRG.
What are prominent concerns during the post-deployment stage?
"Stress and uncertainty; homecoming couple and family activities; psychological problems and PTSD; social changes; reintegration activities and classes; reintegration support services; and a handful of other salient reactions" (Ender, 60).
What problems did spouses identify for formal support services?
"Hinderances with medical care, the FRG, child care, and the school system came close to over representativeness" (Ender, 85)
What category of informal support groups did Dr. Ender classify as "social safeguards" for military family members?
"Neighbors are social safeguards for military family members" (Ender, 93).
How can voluntary kinship networks substitute formal support systems such as the Family Readiness Group (FRG)?
Military families, especially spouses, may seek other organizations that are not affiliated with the FRG to gain support in the emotional and physical domain. Spouses can reach out to other spouses within their unit or friends that are within their proximity to initiate events or activities that can relieve the stress and uncertainty that their spouses' deployment causes.
The concept of Emancipated Army Spouses - group of people who disengage from formal services (Ender, 78).
What are post-deployment difficulties families face?
" a soldier's atypical mood or personality; disciplining children; reestablishing roles; communication within the relationship; daily household routines; making household decisions; meeting children's expectations; and 20% identify marital intimacy issues" (Ender, 69).