LENGTHY DEPLOYMENTS LEAD TO HIGHER DIVORCE RATES

According to a study published by the RAND Corporation on September 3, 2014, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have caused an upward surge in the military servicemember divorce rate, due mainly to the lengthy deployments and number of deployments of those members.  

The study found:

•      The more cumulative months of deployment, the more likely a couple would divorce.
•       Deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan produced more divorces.
•       97% of the divorces studied occurred after a return from a deployment.
•       Female servicemembers were more likely to divorce than male servicemembers.
•       Military families with children were less likely to divorce than those without.
•       The divorce rate for couples married before 9/11 were higher than couples married after 9/11 
•       The risk of divorce was higher for hostile deployments than for non-hostile deployments.

Click here to view the full article.

RAND Corporation Study

SUPPORT FOR MILITARY FAMILIES 

There is support for military couples going through divorce as well as help for families new to the area who do not know how to access local services, the San Diego Military Family Collaborative.

"More than anywhere else in the nation, active duty military, returning veterans and their families call San Diego home. From six organizations in 2010, the SDMFC grew by word of mouth and today comprises more than 400 representatives from over 100 unique public, private, faith-based, military, and governmental organizations. Social Advocates for Youth, San Diego provides program and staffing support.  The SDMFC is a one-stop shop for military families to get plugged in to resources and events across the county. Their website features a resource portal, as well as an event calendar. Families can also sign up for their email newsletter to stay up-to-date on current programs."

  

Kat Brown

Community Engagement Specialist

San Diego Military Family Collaborative

Please visit their website for more information, including announcements of Divorce Mediation Group workshop dates and times.

San Diego Military Family Collaborative

By Kim Werner