Influence of Social Support on Dyadic Functioning and Mental Health During Post-Deployment Reintegration

Objectives: While many service members cope successfully with exposure to stress and traumatic experiences, others experience symptoms of depression, PTSD, and anxiety; contextual factors may account for the variability in outcomes from these experiences. This work sought to understand mechanisms through which social support influences service member mental health and whether dyadic functioning mediates this relationship.

Methods: Cross sectional data presented here were collected as part of a larger study in 2013; the 321 military personnel who had experienced at least one deployment were included in these analyses. Surveys were completed on-line; data included demographics, social support, mental health measures (depression, PTSD, and anxiety), and dyadic functioning. Process modeling using mediation analysis was performed using SPSS.

Results: Direct effects of social support on mental health of military personnel were limited; however, across all types of networks, greater social support was significantly associated with better reported dyadic functioning. Dyadic functioning mediated the relationships between social support and depression and PTSD only when network members were described as non-military friends or family; dyadic functioning only mediated social support and anxiety when support came from family. There were no indirect effects for support from military peers or military leaders.

Discussion: Findings here highlight the need to continue to explore ways in which social support, particularly from family and non-military connected peers can bolster healthy intimate partner relationships, and in turn improve the well-being of military service members who have experienced deployment.