Family stability in military and nonmilitary families

Abstract

Introduction: The present study compared family stability such as marital conflict, marital satisfaction, and divorce risk in military and civilian families.Method: In this comparative study conducted in 2011, there were 646 subjects (323 couples) from different cities, who were selected by multistage cluster sampling from both military and civilian families. Assessment tools were questionnaires on marital conflict, marital satisfaction, and marital instability. Data were analyzed using T-test statistical index.Results: Results showed that marital satisfaction in military families was significantly higher than that in civilian families. In additional subscales of marital conflict (cooperation, sex, emotion, coalition, original family, and money) and divorce risk in civilian families were higher than that in military families.Conclusion: Although military families experience more stress because of the characteristic duties and missions, they are more stable than civilian families. This indicates that personal and organizational efforts result in their stability.