Trajectories of psychological health and relationship functioning of U.S. military service members during and after deployment

The current military action in the Middle East has perpetuated a cycle of deployment and reunion. This repeating pattern, as well as the nature of this war, has created new and different challenges for military members and their families. This study explores the psychological health and relationship functioning of U.S. military service members during a year in which they were deployed and returned. These two outcomes are important in their own right, but also share a relationship whereby the dynamics of each have implications for the other. This study utilizes multiple time points and retrospective, life charting methodology to ascertain deployment experiences, psychological health, and relationship functioning in a sample of service members. Trellis display is utilized to display and explore the data graphically. Growth Analysis methodology is used to identify trajectories of change and explore predictor variables including combat trauma, traumatic life experiences, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and number of deployments