Parenting Needs Among Mothers of Young Children During Military Deployment

Piloting the home ship: Understanding the deployment experience of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command spouses

Special Operations Forces (SOF) members are frequently deployed to hostile environments for prolonged periods of time, and their families are exposed to unique difficulties and stressors. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) spouses as it relates to the intensity of the SOF deployment process. As part of a larger study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 spouses of CANSOFCOM members. The interviews were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify the central dimensions of spouses' experience with deployment. Participants reflected on their experiences, from pre-deployment to post-deployment, and as they transitioned between deployments, across social/relational, practical/instrumental, and psychological/emotional dimensions. The findings raised important concerns regarding perpetual transitions for the family unit and exhaustion among spouses faced with a deployment loop that never closes. Although results echoed previous studies, in terms of the strain of solo-parenting and coping with children's emotional needs, communication and maintaining connections, these aspects were uniquely affected by repeated deployments, prolonged time away, operations security, and high organizational demands. Although many spouses acquired the strength and skills to cope with the lifestyle, the findings suggest several opportunities to tailor resources and support services to their dynamic needs.

The socio-psychological factors affecting the voting behaviour of the postgraduate politics students: a Q-methodology study

This study aims to answer the question "Are voting behaviours of postgraduate students, a voter group who are politically educated and well-informed about voting behaviours, affected by socio-psychological factors?." In particular, if so, it also aims to reveal which socio-psychological factors affect their voting behaviours. The Q-methodology is utilised in this study. The main reason for this methodological preference is that the Q-methodology is a good tool for systematically identifying and examining a particular group's subjective views that are held around the factors shaping and affecting their voting behaviours by providing factor loadings. Factor loadings, or the cluster of participants, allow us better to illustrate each participant's association with each of the identified socio-psychological or otherwise factors, similar or different orders of ranking by the participants, to detect individual differences, and, therefore, to indicate (1) whether the socio-psychological factors affect the voting behaviours of the participants, and (2) if so, which socio-psychological factor(s) affects most. This also helps us to conclude that the participants who are mostly associated with one or more factors have similar voting behaviours corresponding to or in opposition to the assumptions of the socio-psychological approach. The participants of the research are 57 postgraduate students studying Political Science and Public Administration at Akdeniz University. The results of the research indicate that most of the participants cluster around two separate factors: while the participants gathered under Factor 1 take their political decisions more rationally and are ready to vote for alternative candidates and political parties in different elections, those who load under Factor 2 are affected by some socio-psychological factors: loyalty to her family's (the family factor) and inner circles' political preferences (the inner circle factor), and a long-term commitment and an emotional attachment to a political party and/or the candidate (the time factor). The voting behaviours of the participants gathered under no factors are, however, affected by relatively mixed factors. In addition, it is also revealed that the titles that most differentiate the preferences of the participants cluster around both Factors 1 and 2 are family, education, and rationality.

A 'good dyadic relationship' between older couples with one having mild cognitive impairment: a Q-methodology

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment gradually brings changes to the relationship between older married couples. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the individual viewpoints of couple dyads on the important attributes of a 'good dyadic relationship' in the context of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and to explore if the congruencies and discrepancies in their perceptions related to the quality and closeness of their relationship and well-being.

METHODS

Q-methodology was used to reveal the perceptions of a 'good dyadic relationship' among couples with one having MCI. The participating couples were separated in two rooms and independently ranked 18 relationship attributes from least to most important on a 7-point Q-sort response grid. All participants also completed a post-sort interview and surveys to assess their psychological well-being and closeness. Q-sorts were analyzed using by-person factor analysis.

RESULTS

Forty people with MCI and forty spousal partners completed the Q-sort. Three viewpoints, accounting for 48% of the total variance, were identified and were labeled 'Provider,' 'Problem-solver,' and 'Partner.' Different viewpoints of a 'good dyadic relationship' primarily varied by perceived importance of commitment, dedication, tolerance, and personal space. Despite these differences, there was wide consensus that respecting each other and cherishing the current moment are two universally salient attributes of a good relationship across all viewpoints. Couples with discrepant views scored significantly higher on perceptions of the quality of the relationship and closeness with the partner.

CONCLUSIONS

This study advances the theoretical understanding of the dyadic relationship between couples with one having MCI, from both perspectives. MCI is a state in which couples can openly discuss their expectations. The findings provide practitioners with insights to work with couples experiencing MCI.