Military service members and veterans (SMVs) are considered at risk for developing a variety of relational and mental health concerns. Often, their families also face hardships due to stressors associated with deployment and reintegration, as well as the interpersonal effects of distress. However, there are few systems‐oriented services available to military couples and families. Similarly, the services that are available often go underutilized. To address these gaps, we review existing brief‐systemic programs, which show promise for attracting and helping military families in need. In addition to describing the theoretical underpinnings that support these models and the limited empirical evidence behind them, we also provide recommendations for military scholars and program developers to improve services for SMVs and their families.

Much has been done to examine the impact of traumatic stress on interpersonal dynamics of couples in which 1 partner is the identified trauma survivor (single-trauma couples). However, there are fewer empirical evaluations of couples in which both partners have experienced a traumatic event (dual-trauma couples). Using a sample of 35 couples, this pilot study examined relationship satisfaction and attachment behaviors of dyads in which 1 versus both partners reported trauma exposure. Four multiple-group actor-partner interdependence models assessed trauma's impact on single-and dual-trauma couples. Preliminary results suggested several significant differences between single-and dual-trauma couple types. Among single-trauma couples, higher number of trauma experiences by wives predicted lower levels of relationship satisfaction in husbands, whereas among dual-trauma couples, higher number of traumas for wives predicted higher levels of attachment behavior in husbands. For dual-trauma couples, husband posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms predicted lower levels of relationship satisfaction for both themselves and their wives. PTSD symptoms also predicted lower levels of both husband and wives' own attachment behaviors. Findings invite further exploration into a more dynamic conceptualization of the recursive relationship between cumulative trauma exposure and interpersonal relationships that may better explain the impact of traumatic stress within couple relationships.

Suicide among United States active-duty Army soldiers rapidly increased over the past two decades. Using a sample of 322 soldiers from the Army STARRS study, the researchers examined if romantic relationship factors (i.e., hostile disagreements and relationship distress) were linked with suicidal thoughts in Army soldiers, and if these associations were moderated by a recent separation or divorce. Hostile disagreements and relational distress were both significantly associated with higher rates of suicidal ideation. These associations were significantly amplified in magnitude when in the context of a recent separation or divorce. Implications include novel assessment, prevention, and treatment efforts focused on romantic relationships that may reduce the likelihood of soldiers experiencing thoughts of suicide.

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