Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/2440/103349
Citations | ||
Scopus | Web of Science® | Altmetric |
---|---|---|
?
|
?
|
Type: | Journal article |
Title: | The well-being of Australian service mothers |
Author: | Davy, C. Lorimer, M. McFarlane, A. Hodson, S. Crompvoets, S. Lawrence-Wood, E. Neuhaus, S. |
Citation: | Women and Health: the multidisciplinary journal of women's health issues, 2015; 55(7):737-753 |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Issue Date: | 2015 |
ISSN: | 0363-0242 1541-0331 |
Statement of Responsibility: | Carol P. Davy, Michelle Lorimer, Alexander McFarlane, Stephanie Hodson, Samantha Crompvoets, Ellie Lawrence-Wood and Susan J. Neuhaus |
Abstract: | In recent years servicewomen with dependent children have for the first time in history been deployed into conflict zones in support of Australian Defence Force operations. This represents a significant social change, and the implications of deployment on the health of these service mothers are not fully understood. Data from women who participated in the Middle East Area of Operations Census study were analyzed to compare the psychological and physical symptoms reported by service mothers with service women who had no dependent children at the time of deploying to Afghanistan and/or Iraq. Of the 921 women who were included in this analysis, 235 had dependent children and 686 had no dependent children (comparison group). Service mothers were significantly older and were more likely to have served in the Air Force than women in the comparison group. Findings demonstrate that serving mothers were not at any significantly higher risk of psychological distress, post-traumatic stress symptoms, alcohol misuse, or reporting of somatic symptoms, than women who had no dependent children. A number of possible explanations for these findings are discussed, including the healthy soldier/mother effect, support from partners and extended family members, and collegial networks. |
Keywords: | military health; mothers; psychological well-being; somatic symptoms |
Rights: | © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC |
DOI: | 10.1080/03630242.2015.1050541 |
Published version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2015.1050541 |
Appears in Collections: | Aurora harvest 3 Public Health publications |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|---|
RA_hdl_103349.pdf Restricted Access | Restricted Access | 413.77 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.