Adaptation and Coping Processes as Reported by Army Reservists and their Families throughout One Year Following the Soldier's Deployment to Combat Locations

Abstract

The purpose of this secondary analysis was to understand the coping and adaptation processes of reservist soldiers and one family member throughout the first year following deployment to Iraq. A directed content analysis based on the Roy (2009, 2011) conceptualization of coping and adaptation was accomplished on 75 interviews from 20 Army Reserve and family participants. Research questions were; which contextual stimuli affected the coping capacity for dealing with focal stimuli; military deployment and reintegration. Second, whether resourceful and focused coping at Wave 1 positively influenced the adaptation level at 52 weeks. Third, whether physical and fixed coping at Wave 1 negatively affected the adaptation level at 52 weeks. Fourth, whether coping capacity varied during the reintegration year. Findings confirmed primary study outcomes (MacDermid, 2006) where participants described individualized reintegration. Informants' depictions were different from the previously published, "New Emotional Cycles of Deployment." Contextual stimuli were complicating or protective and exerted substantial influence on managing the deployment and reintegration. Cognitive-emotional processing the meaning and repercussions of the deployment is part of the reintegration process. Resourceful and focused coping positively affected the adaptation level at 52 weeks. Insufficient reports of physical and fixed coping precluded determining its effect. Coping efforts were a discrete measure of coping extrapolated from narratives, and were found to fluctuate throughout the year. When demands intensified, participants accelerated their coping efforts as predicted by the Roy adaptation model (2009). Coping strategies were effective or ineffective. Concepts of transcendence, transformation, and hope were understood in new ways within the Roy model. Transcendence in individuals and groups was further explicated. Spirit was another concept from Roy's work that was observed in the participants. Implications for policy, theory, nursing practice, education and research are discussed. Keywords: adaptation, adaptation level, coping, coping efforts, Roy adaptation model, spirit, transcendence, transformation, hope, military deployment, post-deployment, reintegration, Reservist, military family, deployment cycle, directed content analysis