Objective To evaluate family‐related stressors and resources associated with the depressive symptoms of military members and their spouses. Background Most deployment‐related research has focused on deployment and reintegration, but there is a dearth of information about military families during the pre‐deployment phase. Family stress theory provided a valuable lens from which to view family‐related risk and protective factors associated with adaptation during times of stressful transition. Method Data were gathered using an online survey from 151 U.S. Army National Guard members and their spouses preparing for a scheduled deployment. Hierarchical regression was utilized to examine associations between the independent variables (e.g., stress pileup, informal and formal resources, deployment preparation) and participants' depressive symptoms. Results Results revealed that aspects of stress pileup were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Informal resources and deployment preparation, but not formal resources, had statistically significant negative associations with individuals' depressive symptoms. Findings were similar for military members and spouses. Conclusion Results indicated that logistical and instrumental preparation, in addition to informal resources such as effective family functioning and social support, are important for positive adaptation in times of stressful transition. Implications Family service professionals may want to assist families with identifying and strengthening their family support and improving family functioning, as well as guide families in a process of identifying the instrumental and logistical tasks that are necessary or helpful for an impending transition.

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This review considers existing literature about military and veteran families' deployment‐related experiences in relation to three separate, yet related, temporal rhythms. First, we consider military family functioning within a short‐term rhythm focused on dynamic family interactions (e.g., communicative exchanges) that occur daily. Next, we consider medium‐term rhythms characterized by more temporal stability. Examples of such rhythms include established marital and parenting patterns that likely have bidirectional associations with adjustment to deployments or other experiences connected to military service. The final rhythm focuses on long‐term implications of wartime service for military and veteran families. We conclude by considering examples of ways these different rhythms of individual and family functioning may intersect. Our main purpose in highlighting these rhythms is to generate fruitful directions for future research about the conditions under which deployment‐induced transitions may produce periods of dysfunction, promote positive growth, or leave individuals and families relatively unchanged.

With this sample of farmers and ranchers with disabilities, age group and ILW account for significant variance in QOL. Health professionals can use these findings to support and assess improvements in clients' ILW, self-determination, and QOL. Future research is needed to explore further the effects of QOL and ILW in this population.