Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

From Theory To Practice: A Theory-Informed, Critical Review Of Research On Military Marriages, Benjamin M. Burke, Davina Quichocho, Mallory Lucier-Greer

Southeastern Council on Family Relations Conference

Military marriages may be particularly vulnerable to marital distress and dissolution due to the unique challenges associated with military service. To better understand the research regarding military marriages, a critical literature review was conducted. Fifteen peer-reviewed, published articles were critically reviewed based on their theoretical applications and empirical findings. Articles were categorized according to stage in marriage and primary theoretical orientation. Results suggest that military marriages are at risk due to military factors, but they are also mostly stable. Results also indicate that theories are rarely made explicit in military marriage literature. Future research would benefit from providing clearer links …