Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Veteran spouses'

This is an interpretative phenomenological study examining the lived experiences of five long-lasting, self-report satisfied, German-American military couples, using semi-structured interviews. Each bicultural couple that participated was married thirty years or longer and consisted of one German native wife and one American veteran husband. Eight themes emerged from the data: (a) tri-cultural marriage experiences; (b) faith, religion, belief systems; (c) intimacy; (d) overcoming: good coping, commitment, and humor; (e) respect and appreciation systems; (f) trust and fidelity; (g) communication and the need to improve; and (h) keeping things alive.

Keywords: Bicultural marriage, Long-lasting marriage, Phenomenology, and Veterans

The health-promoting influence of high-quality, supportive close relationships has been extensively documented, yet the mechanisms of this effect are less well-understood. Leading researchers have galvanized the field to test particular relationship processes and the mediating psychological processes they facilitate to pinpoint how close relationships exert their salutary effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the intimacy process on health outcomes of sleep and pain and if this effect depends on the facilitation of psychological processes in a sample of veterans and spouses (collectively called military-connected couples; N=147). Sleep problems are highly prevalent among military-connected couples and pain is highly prevalent among veterans. Results of actor-partner interdependence models revealed that perceived partner responsiveness (PPR), a core component of the intimacy process, was found to predict sleep for military-connected couples and to predict pain for veterans. Indirect effects of PPR on sleep via the psychological process of downregulation of vigilance for military-connected couples emerged. The indirect effect of PPR on pain via the psychological process of emotion-regulation was found for veterans only. Partner effects were observed for veteran PPR on spouse positive affect. Overall, greater PPR was associated with positive health outcomes for military-connected couples. The implications of this study include further establishing the intimacy process as a particular mechanism by which close relationships promote health as well as providing insights for holistic interventions for sleep problems and pain in military-connected couples.

This study was conducted to identify gaps in existing knowledge regarding impacts of combat-related PTSD on the spouse and to gain an understanding of the lived experience of Appalachian Spouses of combat veterans with PTSD. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify research and findings on the impacts of combat-related PTSD on spouses of veterans and a qualitative study was conducted to gain an understanding of the lives of Appalachian spouses of combat veterans with PTSD. The systematic review identified 16 qualitative studies conducted between 1988 and 2016 in five countries spanning five wars. Regardless of the country of study or the war, the spouses experienced problems dealing with the symptoms of PTSD, emotional distress, impacts to relationships and caregiver burden. The systematic literature review revealed limited information on minority or underserved populations. Qualitative interview data from ten Appalachian spouses of combat veterans with PTSD were examined to gain an understanding of their lives. Data were obtained from semi-structured interviews. Findings indicate Appalachian Vietnam veteran spouses experience similar problems dealing with the veteran’s symptoms of PTSD, relationship problems, mental health problems and caregiver burden. The veterans in this study were not diagnosed with PTSD until later in life so they spent the majority of their life without knowledge or treatment for the illness. The women in this study expressed concerns that government and society have marginalized Vietnam veterans. This research highlights the need for outreach and PTSD education for Vietnam veterans and their spouses. Future research is recommended to expand the body of knowledge on the impacts of PTSD on the spouse with particular attention to other cultures, minority and underserved populations.

The purpose of this project was to design a program, identify potential funding sources, and write a grant to fund a support group for spouses and partners of returning veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The diagnosis of PTSD is difficult for the individual and his or her loved ones as well. An extensive literature review increased the knowledge of PTSD and its affects on the veteran and his or her loved ones. A search was conducted for potential funding sources via the Internet, CSULB library, and other public libraries. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) was selected as the best funding source for this project. Information is provided about practices that assist spouses and/or partners of individuals diagnosed with PTSD, which were used in the program design. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.

The Australian Special Forces (SF) members have faced considerable adversity with combat deployments to Afghanistan as an elite operational unit of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). There have been 40 combat deaths since 2001 and despite the significant research available on bereavement and violent death, to date there is a gap in the literature to guide the provision of bereavement support for spouses and parents of those SF members killed in action. Contemporary qualitative research into combat related bereavement has found a number of themes which gave meaning to bereavement outcomes found in the non-SF context and recommended that future studies in this field be extended to include SF bereavement. This study used a qualitative transcendental phenomenological design for the study of the bereavement experiences including perceptions of social support of widows and parents of SF members killed in action (KIA) in Afghanistan. In stressing the importance of the lived experiences of participants the purpose was to understand the lived experiences through the use of semi-structured face to face interviews. The journey of this research depicts a two phase study in which the first phase was unsuccessful in the recruitment of bereaved SF spouses and in the second phase the potential bereaved parent participants withdrew before the interview stage. Remaining true to phenomenological inquiry the focus of the researcher returned to the phenomenological paradigm for guidance on the way forward. It was a journey which reflected that in phenomenological inquiry the story should be allowed to tell itself. The resulting extension to this study featured a thematic information analysis of this study. Using the Moustakas (1994) modified van Kaam analysis model, four dominant themes emerged to explain the recruitment challenges of this study. The extracted themes included the SF as a hard to reach population; specific bereavement research challenges; research methods and design and, the ethics review processes. These were used to explain the phenomena of research challenges in the SF context. The outcome of this study is discussed in the context of the themes and guidance for future research in SF combat related bereavement.

碩士
美和科技大學
健康照護研究所
99
The aims of the research were to explore the quality of life and the degree ofsocial support among eterans’spouses from Mainland China. The study design was based on the cross-sectional and purposive sampling procedures. There were 298 out of 330 valid samples collected from Mainland spouses in Kaohsiung City. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and four types of instruments were adopted including WHOQOL-BREF, Social Support Scales, Marriage Process, and Demographic Basic Information. Questionnaire data were analyzed with SPSS 17.0 by statistics such as t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation and regression analysis. The results indicate that: (1) a significant age ference and lower income exist between veterans and their spouses; (2) if Mainland spouses have higher education level, they would have lower self-pride in terms of social support; (3) the most influential variable for better life quality is the self-awareness for happiness. In sum, the main reason for veterans to get married with Mainland spouses is to take care of themselves and receiving more social support and better life quality. The study has shown that in order to create a multidimensional and harmonious society, the government needs to actively support the development of the family support programs, language & career training programs and law & sensitive programs for social workers. Keyword：Veterans, Social Support, Quality of Life.

碩士
國立中正大學
勞工關係學系暨研究所
99
After the opening of cross-strait exchanges, mainland Chinese spouses have arrived in Taiwan through marriages by relative’s visits and introduction of relatives and friends. The proportions of the Mainland Chinese spouses of veterans are getting higher risk of social exclusion. The purpose of this study is to investigate the social exclusion of the mainland Chinese spouses of veteran.in Tainan City. Among these mainland Chinese spouses of veteran, the average age of mainland Chinese spouses was 49 years old, the longest was 73 years old, and the youngest was 33 years old. The average age of the veterans was 72 years old, the longest was 89 years old, and the youngest is 46 years old. Between the veterans and their spouses, the age gap existed was about 23 years by average. Most of mainland Chinese spouses of veterans married again through introduction of relatives and friends. They have lived nearly for a decade in Taiwan, and most of them have obtained citizenship. The study on the social exclusion of the mainland Chinese spouses of veteran was included three components of the economic, employment and social experiences. The relative data were obtained through interview and then analyzed by the qualitative method. The results of this study showed that those who married to veterans, who received the pensions from the government, could be the high-risk groups in the economic exclusion after the veterans died. But there is a way that can avoid this risk, that is, mainland Chinese spouses possesed her own professional identity in mainland. In addition, whether the mainland spouses obtained the citizenship or not will also affect the degree of their economic exclusion. Most mainland Chinese spouses who had her own job in the mainland China remarried because of economic factors; they were willing to marry the old veterans in Taiwan, regardless of their spouse veterans pensions’ status given by the government. These Mainland Chinese spouses often go out looking for work. Only when their spouses, i.e. veterans needed someone to take care of their aged physical condition, the mainland Chinese spouses probably would like to quit her job and then, taking care of their spouse veterans. Most working situation of these mainland Chinese spouses were in the lower level, low payments, unstable employment, etc. Colleagues also comed from the lower social environment or aged personnel in the workshop. These exclusion and discrimination did not come from the institutional factors, but from the employer’s discrimination. The social network of the mainland Chinese spouses was relatively weak and their social support was much lower than the others. Most of them interacted only with a few mainland Chinese fellows, and the interactive situation was limited. Majority of interviewed spouses expressed that they were not aware of the usage of social welfare services provided by the government, which means the result was limited and should be strengthened through the promotion of welfare services-related measures. Keywords: veterans, mainland Chinese spouses, employment discrimination, social exclusion

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Psicologia apresentada à Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação
O presente estudo pretendeu analisar/explorar a realidade das esposas de ex-combatentes da Guerra Colonial Portuguesa diagnosticados com Perturbação de Stress Pós-Traumático (PSPT), visando conferir se a exposição a manifestações da sintomatologia de PSPT (e sintomatologia comórbida) de veteranos por parte das esposas leva ao desenvolvimento/manifestação de Perturbação Secundária de Stress Traumático (PSST) nas mesmas. Objetivou, ainda, caracterizar o funcionamento psicológico (cognitivo, emocional/sintomatológico) e de Qualidade de Vida (QdV) destas mulheres. Para isso procedeu-se à comparação entre grupos de esposas de casais em que o marido preencheu os critérios de diagnóstico (N=8) e em que o marido não exibiu esse padrão nosológico (N=7), no que diz respeito aos resultados dos seguintes instrumentos de avaliação: Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination-Revised, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - Military Version/Civilian Version, Inventário de Estado-Traço de Ansiedade, Escala de Depressão Geriátrica - 30 itens, Traumatic Events Questionnaire e World Health Organization Quality of Life-OLD Module. Com vista a conferir se o padrão de sintomatologia das esposas era similar ao dos maridos com PSPT efetuou-se a comparação entre cada casal relativamente aos instrumentos que medem os construtos de depressão, ansiedade e PSPT. Com o objetivo de complementar a caracterização do perfil de funcionamento psicológico e de QdV destas esposas, foi implementado um grupo focal. Com a presente investigação não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre o perfil de funcionamento psicológico e de QdV das esposas de veteranos com PSPT e o das esposas de veteranos sem este diagnóstico. No entanto foi evidenciada a existência de PSST em 25% das esposas de ex-combatentes com PSPT e conferido que o perfil de sintomas de depressão, ansiedade (como traço e como estado) e evitamento dos maridos é similar aoobservado nas esposas. O estudo qualitativo permitiu-nos dar maior abrangência à investigação tendo sido identificada a existência de perceções de descontinuidade, continuidade e de progressão no que diz respeito à sintomatologia dos ex-combatentes, e nas suas dinâmicas conjugais e familiares, sendo os relatos caracterizados pela discrepância entre o pré e o pós-guerra, uma vez que a Guerra Colonial foi identificada como um desencadeador de uma grande mudança no comportamento dos seus maridos, nas suas vidas e nas suas dinâmicas conjugais. Conclui-se que a intervenção terapêutica oferecida aos ex-combatentes com PSPT deve ter em consideração também as esposas, que desempenham o papel de cuidadoras primárias, sendo importante o desenvolvimento de programas de intervenção eficazes dirigidas não só aos ex-combatentes, como às suas esposas.Sugerimos a replicação deste estudo com um maior N amostral, com vista a possibilitar um maior grau de generalização dos dados, conciliando os objetivos com metodologias que permitam excluir o funcionamento subclínico dos ex-combatentes do grupo que não apresenta diagnóstico de PSPT. Também se recomenda a inclusão da análise dos fatores de risco e fatores de proteção das esposas desta população.O intuito foi dar continuidade a um movimento no sentido de intervir junto destas pessoas, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento da área da PSST, com vista ao desenvolvimento de medidas de intervenção e prevenção adaptadas às particularidades, desafios e exigências desta população.Identificou-se também a necessidade de fomentar a consciencialização nesta área e de ações de esclarecimento/sensibilização junto desta população (e da população geral) que incidam sobre esta temática.
The present study aimed to analyze/explore the reality of the Portuguese Colonial War veterans wives diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), in order to verify if the exposure of symptoms of PSPT (and comorbid symptoms) by veterans would lead to the development/manifestation of Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder (STSD) in them. It also aimed to characterize the psychological functioning (cognitive, emotional and symptomatic) and quality of life (QoL) of these women. For that purpose, a comparison was carried out between the groups of couples wives in which the husband met the diagnostic criteria (N = 8) and the ones in which the husband did not exhibit this nosological pattern (N = 7), regarding the results of the following assessment instruments: Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination-Revised, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - Military Version/Civilian Version, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale - 30 items, Traumatic Events Questionnaire and World Health Organization Quality of Life-OLD Module. In order to check if the symptoms pattern was similar to the veterans with PTSD a comparison was carried out among the all the couples regarding the tools used to measure depression constructs, anxiety and PTSD. With the aim of complementing the characterization of this wives psychological and quality of life profiles, a focal group was then implemented.With the present investigation no significant differences were found between the psychological functioning and quality of life profile of veterans with PTSD wives and the wives of veterans with no such diagnosis.However it was revealed the existence of STSD in 25% of veterans with PTSD wives and led to the conclusion that the depression, anxiety (as trait and as state) profile and the husbands avoidance is similar with what is observed with the wives.The qualitative study allowed us to provide a broader scope to the present investigation, with the existence of perceptions of discontinuity, continuity and progression concerning the symptomatology of war veterans, and their marital and familiar dynamics, being identified by the discrepancy between the pre and post-war events, once the Colonial War was acknowledged as a trigger for a major behavior change of their husbands, in their lives and in their marital dynamics.It is established that the therapeutic intervention offered to war veterans with PSPT should also take their wives into account, who often act like primary caretakers, and it is imperative to develop effective intervention programs directed not only at war veterans but also to their wives.We propose the replication of this study with a much higher N sample, in order to allow a superior degree of data generalization, conciliating the objectives with methodologies that exclude the subclinical functioning of war veterans of the group that does not show a PTSD diagnosis. It is also recommended to include the analysis of the risk factors and protection factors of the wives of this population.The objective was to carry on an action in order to intervene with these people, contributing to the development of the STSD area, with a vision to develop intervention and prevention measures adapted to such particularities, challenges and requirements of this population.It was also identified the importance to raise awareness throughout this field and raising clarification/awareness actions with this population (and the whole population) in order to focus more deeply on this particular subject.

碩士
亞洲大學
經營管理學系碩士班
95
Because of the marriage ban policy exercised by the government in the early years,many veterans did not get married in their early adulthood, and relied on veterans’ home for living when they aged. However, the opening policy of visitation in Mainland China has motivated the veterans, whether still single or once married, to find a partner from Mainland China. The researcher is working in the veterans’ home, thus, is interested in learning about the living adaptation of veterans and their Mainland Chinese spouses in the veterans' home. The research purposes include: 1) understanding the development and status of the marriage between veterans and their Mainland Chinese spouses, and problems in the marriage; 2) discussing the problems in the living adaptation of veterans and their Mainland Chinese spouses caused by veterans’ home in Taitung area; 3)proposing effective strategies to improve the living adaptation of veterans and their Mainland Chinese spouses. This research used methods of qualitative study, in-depth interview, and literature review. The research scope was limited to veterans and their Mainland Chinese spouses residing in the veterans’ home of the Veterans Affairs Commission. The number of samples was only 9 veterans, thus the conclusions may not be applicable iii on veterans and their Mainland Chinese spouses in other home care organizations. However, based on the interview records, the researcher discussed the problems they face and proposed strategies for improvement, to be provided for further studies on cross-strait marriage, and living adaptation of veterans and their Mainland Chinese spouses. People cannot live under an environment without support system. To veterans, the veterans’ home is the home, as it was named. To improve the living adaptation of veterans and their Mainland Chinese spouses in Taiwan, the institutions must implement individual counseling, group counseling, couple counseling, support system, related seminars, encourage Mainland Chinese spouses to interact with the veterans and establish relationship with the staffs, so that the home care organizations could facilitate the adaptation and interaction of the married couples.

碩士
國立高雄師範大學
性別教育研究所
96
This study features a focus on the cross-strait marriages between aged veterans and mainland Chinese spouses after lifting the ban on mainland China family visit since 1987. By means of in-depth interviews with married aged veterans residing in Kaohsiung City’s Military Dependent’s Villages, the study aims to figure out the interactive modes among these couples. The findings contribute various factors to the aged veterans’ motives for marriages. First, these veterans need a lifelong caretaker. Second, they need a lifelong spouse for a complete home. And mainland Chinese spouses are perfect potentials since most of them are single mothers and have had home caring experiences. As a result, these cross-strait marriages involve interdependence relationships. Aged veterans fulfill their life goal of possessing a complete home, and their mainland Chinese spouses not only provide their husbands emotional support but also gain economic independence as well as self development. For this reason, most of the cross-strait marriages are with good stability and adaptation.

碩士
南華大學
生死學研究所
96
This study is basically designed to explore the senile marriage relationships between the old veterans and spouses from mainland China on three concerns. The first one is to understand the life experiences of the couples in marriages. The second one is to figure out the general situations of marriage relationships between the old veterans and their spouses from mainland China. The third one is to know how they think of their roles during these relationships. 　　 　　In this study, we used the descriptive method and qualitative analysis. Through the interviews, the interviewees were seen as individual and independent to share their stories. After obtaining the descriptive scripts, we analyzed them to reveal the nature and meaning behind this kind of marriage relationships. 　　 　　According to our research, the old veterans sought for assured elderly lives by the spouses’ cares in marriages. However, the spouses from mainland China tried to prepare their elderly lives by themselves through marriages. In other words, they take care of each other in their elderly marriage lives. 　 　　In conclusion, we expect that the unique social phenomenon in Taiwan presented in this investigation could enhance removing some restrictions on the foreign spouses working ban. In addition, in order to deal with population aging, we hope via this essay the government would not only consider to broaden the criteria of applications for aged nursing care but also to provide multiple choices in aged population care policy.

碩士
國立中正大學
勞工所
94
After Taiwan and China have opened relations, mainland Chinese spouses have arrived in Taiwan through marriages by family visits and introduction of family and friends, in hopes of having better living environments in Taiwan, having something to rely on in later life. Because they have unrealistic notions about living in Taiwan, there are problems in adjustment, residence, and employment when they are in Taiwan. They are unfamiliar with people in Taiwan and are not supported by the social system and relatives. As a result of current legal restrictions, they do not have adequate employment protection. This group of female immigrants has a very difficult path to employment, and the derivative problems are worth studying empirically. This study explores the employment conditions and difficulties of veterans’ mainland Chinese spouses, where questionnaires are used to analyze numbers and quantified data, to verify some analyses found in qualitative research of in-depth interviews, so that it is possible to more comprehensively discuss the topic and related realities in elevation of reliability. It is hoped that a broad, multi-angle, and more comprehensive perspective can be used to explore the overall employment state of veterans’ mainland Chinese spouses, and then conduct analytical exploration using personal factors, family environment, social environment, and regulatory aspects. This study finds that mainland Chinese spouses generally encounters work permit problems and language (Taiwanese) problems in the process of searching for work or while working. They believe that the primary reasons that affects work are: 1. Lack of related work experience and expertise; 2. Big loads on physical ability, lots of stress; 3. Taking care of family members; 4. Family financial strains; 5. Lack of assurances in work; 6. Not knowing where there are work opportunities; 7. Restrictions on acquiring work permits and time of acquiring a citizenship identification. This study finds that their employment mechanisms are certainly points worth our concern. Mainland Chinese spouses are a minority group that is weak financially. The method and direction of solving employment difficulties on a basic level involves appropriately arranging for employment to create suitable work, providing employment services in counseling, providing employment promotional programs and actual aid, using appropriate policy revisions or establishing employment programs, aiding mainland Chinese spouses who have intention and need for work, integrating existing employment services and professional training measures, offering more employment information, utilizing diverse effective employment information avenues, and improving their work-search and workplace adaptability to increase chances of being hired. Keywords: veterans, mainland Chinese spouse, employment, discrimination, social exclusion

碩士
國立臺灣大學
國家發展研究所
97
Since visiting one''s relatives at the open China, two sides of the Taiwan strait exchange becoming hotter twine , the Chinese descendants spouse of Taiwan grows with each passing day, influence the aspect to expand gradually, how to make the Chinese descendants spouse incorporate the society of Taiwan , adapt to the family life , reduces various kinds of relevant factors that may produce the social concern and family problem , subject which the government and folk organization have paid attention to already. Choose seven Chinese borderland spouses and face oneself''s meeting after marrying the veteran at advanced age in this research , family''s meeting and society meet the problem, it is made up in '' little sons of " few wives " of an old fellow like me ''s family that especially right how the Sino-Singaporean immigrant women adjust oneself and suit , the researcher carries on depth interview and gets the relevant materials and carries on a analysis and discussion on the case. Originally discover: 1.The veteran''s motive is mostly economic factor advanced age that the Chinese borderland women spouse is married, the motive that nearly all Chinese borderland women spouses get married is not because of the love factor. 2.Household of the China descendants woman spouses mostly all object to their marrying the veteran at advanced age , that Chinese borderland women spouse insists on marrying the veteran at advanced age of Taiwan, the majority is to yearn for the economy of Taiwan and want to come to Taiwan to work and make money by getting married. 3.The Chinese descendants spouse comes back impression of Taiwan and original cognition have drop, serving as the role of '' the persons who are nursing '' in majority after Taiwan that and get married, the roles expected to act did not accord with with come to Taiwan. 4.The veteran marries the Chinese descendants spouse besides can look after individuals ing in old age at advanced age , it is a big factor even more to get rid of the lonely lonely sense, so the Chinese descendants spouse is married the veteran has a function which reduces its committing suicide rate the advanced age in Taiwan. 5.If veteran''s disease is burdened with , have difficulty getting about or age disparity passes the big city the puzzlement in life while causing the Chinese descendants spouse to marry gentleman at advanced age and get along at advanced age . Study and propose: Set up and move in the right amount regulation mechanism of population, relax the immigration policy of the Chinese descendants spouse and working right policy stage by stage, should be looking after the function and leading through strengthening the social welfare in looking after type marriage, alert policy unit and immigrant administration should is it verify and ban '' false to is it engage in prostitution really to get married '' to strengthen, '' false to is it work as a temporary labourer really to get married '', '' deceive deceive the wealth '', run couple , spouse of family , descendants of Chinese , is it grow up camp to communicate , offer spouse of Chinese descendants life is it coach and is it educate future generation essential assistance their to give birth to and bring up to look after actively.

碩士
元智大學
社會暨政策科學學系
101
Taiwan is facing the problem of an aging society, and the number of senior citizens living with chronic diseases and function disorder is increasing. Althought the market of long term care is developing rapidly, the first priority of the government of the Republic of China is to train the necessary human power and specialities of long term care giving required by an aging society. Tao-yuang Veteran House is a care giving institution taking care of retired military personnel who was injured during war time or senior and poor retirees without dependants. The veterans living in Tao-yuang Veteran House are aging and have an average age of 86. Night percent of the care givers working in Tao-yuang Veteran House are women from Mainland China who married to the veterans here in Taiwan. Based on the theories of job satisfaction, stay or quit, and society support network, I proposed a framework to explore the working experience, the willingness of continuous service and the unwillingness of continuous service of the care givers from Mainland China working in Tao-yuang Veteran House. Thirteen (13) contracting care givers and three (3) managing staff in Tao-yuang Veteran House were interviewed in this report. The findings of this study are divided into the following three aspects: a) the reasons for taking the job of care giving: including providing financial support to the family, encouraged by the people of their hometown who had worked here before themselves; b) the willingness of continuous service: including financial support, individual consideration, the cohesion of the people from the same howntown, regarding the job as a good deed. c) unwillingness of continuous service: including dissatisfaction with the salerary and benefits, subjective recongnition of the fairness of management, individual consideration, and the frustration and fatigue of the job of care giving. Key words: long term care institution, the spouse from Mainland China, care giver, continuous service, Tao-yuan Veteran House