Sarah O. Meadows

Overview

Commentary

• 

  Study Finds Most Military Families Are Resilient in Face of Deployment

  Despite the fact that service members, spouses, and their children experience frequent deployments to combat zones throughout the world, a recent study of more than 2,700 military families found that they generally fare well and adapt effectively to the stresses of deployment.

  Apr 22, 2016 The RAND Blog

• 

  Military Families: What We Know and What We Don't Know

  Never before in our nation's history have our service members and their families been so challenged and never before have their struggles (and successes) been the topic of so much scholarly attention, writes Sarah O. Meadows.

  Mar 2, 2012 National Council on Family Relations Report Magazine

Publications

• Report

  Report

  Air Force Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs and Services: Contribution to Airman and Family Resilience and Readiness

  Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs are key to resilient and ready Airmen and families. The authors developed a resilience and readiness model and compared it with target outcomes of MWR services. Next steps are also provided.

  Jul 31, 2019

• 

  Report

  Enhancing Family Stability During a Permanent Change of Station: A Review of Disruptions and Policies

  According to the U.S. Department of Defense, approximately one-third of military service members experience a permanent change of station (PCS) move every year. The authors researched programs that address PCS-related family disruptions.

  Oct 18, 2018

• 

  Report

  2015 Department of Defense Health Related Behaviors Survey (HRBS)

  In this report, RAND researchers review survey methods, sample demographics, key findings, and policy implications from the 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey of active-duty service members.

  Jun 21, 2018

• 

  Research Brief

  2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey: Sexual Behavior and Health Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This brief reviews results for sexual behavior and health.

  Jun 21, 2018

• 

  Research Brief

  2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This brief reviews results for health promotion and disease prevention.

  Jun 21, 2018

• 

  Research Brief

  2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey: Mental and Emotional Health Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This brief reviews results for mental and emotional health.

  Jun 21, 2018

• 

  Research Brief

  2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey: Summary Findings and Policy Implications

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This brief summarizes results for broad topics of the survey, such as substance use and mental health.

  Jun 21, 2018

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  Research Brief

  2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey: Sexual Orientation, Transgender Identity, and Health Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This brief reviews results for sexual orientation, transgender identity, and related health.

  Jun 21, 2018

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  Research Brief

  2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey: Substance Use Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This brief reviews results for substance use, particularly use of alcohol, tobacco, and medication.

  Jun 21, 2018

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  Research Brief

  2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey: Physical Health and Functional Limitations Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This brief reviews results for physical health and functional limitations.

  Jun 21, 2018

• 

  Research Brief

  2015 Health Releated Behaviors Survey: Deployment Experiences and Health Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This brief reviews results for recent deployment experiences and health.

  Jun 21, 2018

• Infographic

  Infographic

  Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Soldiers Taking Care of Themselves

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Army.

  Jun 21, 2018

• Infographic

  Infographic

  Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Coast Guardsmen Taking Care of Themselves

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Coast Guard.

  Jun 21, 2018

• Infographic

  Infographic

  Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Sailors Taking Care of Themselves

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Navy.

  Jun 21, 2018

• Infographic

  Infographic

  Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Marines Taking Care of Themselves

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Marine Corps.

  Jun 21, 2018

• Infographic

  Infographic

  Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Service Members Taking Care of Themselves

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard.

  Jun 21, 2018

• Infographic

  Infographic

  Are They Living Healthy? How Well Are Airmen Taking Care of Themselves

  The 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of active-duty service members. This infographic reports key findings across the Air Force.

  Jun 21, 2018

• Journal Article

  Journal Article

  Employment Gaps Between Military Spouses and Matched Civilians

  Drawing upon data from the Deployment Life Study, this article examines whether female military spouses (SPs) are disadvantaged relative to matched civilian peers in terms of hours worked and earnings, paying particular attention to gaps among the highest educated women.

  Jul 26, 2016

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  Research Brief

  How Military Families Respond Before, During and After Deployment: Findings from the RAND Deployment Life Study

  This overview of the findings from the RAND Deployment Life Study describes the effects of deployment on marital relationships, family environment, psychological and behavioral health, child well-being, and military integration.

  Apr 15, 2016

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  Report

  The Deployment Life Study: Longitudinal Analysis of Military Families Across the Deployment Cycle

  In 2009, RAND launched the Deployment Life Study to study military family readiness. This report presents analyses on marital relationships, family environment, psychological and behavioral health, child well-being, and military integration.

  Apr 7, 2016

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  Journal Article

  Maternal Health Status and Early Childbearing: A Test of the Weathering Hypothesis

  This study examines the hypothesis of early childbearing as detrimental to maternal well-being.

  Nov 24, 2015

• Report

  Report

  Airman and Family Resilience: Lessons from the Scientific Literature

  This final report in a series reviews the concepts and measures of resilience, resilience factors, hardiness and flourishing. It highlights the eight fitness domain companion reports and types of Air Force data that could be used to track resilience.

  Sep 29, 2015

• Report

  Report

  Environmental Fitness and Resilience: A Review of Relevant Constructs, Measures, and Links to Well-Being

  This report identifies key environmental stressors experienced by Airmen and examines key resilience factors in the domain of environmental fitness, focusing specifically on prevention and protective measures.

  Sep 29, 2015

• Journal Article

  Journal Article

  Patterns of Vulnerabilities and Resources in U.S. Military Families

  The appropriate format for services supporting military families depends on how vulnerabilities and resources are distributed across and within those families.

  Jul 14, 2015

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  Report

  Family Resilience in the Military: Definitions, Models, and Policies

  Summarizes definitions of family resilience in the literature, identifies key family resilience factors, and recommends steps that the Department of Defense can take to manage its portfolio of family resilience programs and policies.

  Jul 10, 2015

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  Report

  An Integrated Survey System for Addressing Abuse and Misconduct Toward Air Force Trainees During Basic Military Training

  RAND developed an integrated survey system to help the U.S. Air Force's Air Education and Training Command monitor and address abuse and misconduct by military training instructors toward trainees during Basic Military Training.

  Jun 18, 2015

• Report

  Report

  The Deployment Life Study: Methodological Overview and Baseline Sample Description

  The report provides a deeper understanding of military family readiness, describing the measures used in the baseline assessment, data-collection design and procedures, sampling and recruiting procedures, and the baseline sample of military families.

  Apr 28, 2014

• Report

  Report

  The Association Between Base-Area Social and Economic Characteristics and Airmen's Outcomes

  This report shows whether and how base-area characteristics are associated with individual-level Airman outcomes across several different domains, including health and well-being, social cohesion, and ratings of neighborhood resources.

  Feb 3, 2014

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  Report

  Medical Fitness and Resilience: A Review of Relevant Constructs, Measures, and Links to Well-Being

  This report examines the relationship between medical fitness and resilience, using key constructs found in the scientific literature that address preventive care, presence and management of injuries and chronic conditions, and health care access.

  Oct 3, 2013

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  Report

  Exploring the Association Between Military Base Neighborhood Characteristics and Soldiers' and Airmen's Outcomes

  This report explores how neighborhood theory and social indicators research shed light on quality of life in and around military bases, gaps in the methodology, and how a more in-depth analysis of military installations could be conducted.

  Jan 24, 2013

• Research Brief

  Research Brief

  Linking Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture Capabilities to Military Readiness

  Current tracking of language, regional expertise, and culture training and capabilities provides limited support for military decisionmaking.

  Oct 18, 2012

• Report

  Report

  An Assessment of the Ability of the U.S. Department of Defense and the Services to Measure and Track Language and Culture Training and Capabilities Among General Purpose Forces

  This report addresses questions concerning the U.S. Department of Defense's ability to measure and track the language, regional expertise, and culture training and capabilities of general purpose forces.

  Oct 17, 2012

• Report

  Report

  Year of the Air Force Family: 2009 Survey of Active-Duty Spouses

  Air Force families confront issues related to children, finances, employment, and the effects of moves and deployments but, by and large, remain satisfied with Air Force life.

  Mar 3, 2011

• Journal Article

  Journal Article

  The Association Between Perceptions of Social Support and Maternal Mental Health: A Cumulative Perspective

  Mothers who perceive that their child's father is supportive are less likely to have mental health problems 5 years after birth; married mothers report the highest levels of supportiveness.

  Feb 1, 2011

• Research Brief

  Research Brief

  Sexual Orientation and U.S. Personnel Policy Revisited

  Summarizes results of a RAND Corporation study on sexual orientation and U.S. military policy requested by the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Secretary of Defense in order to weigh repeal of the law known as

  Dec 23, 2010

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  Report

  Sexual Orientation and U.S. Military Personnel Policy: An Update of RAND's 1993 Study

  Shares results of a study on sexual orientation and U.S. military policy, requested by the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Secretary of Defense in order to weigh the repeal of the law known as ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell.''

  Nov 18, 2010

• Draft

  Draft

  Economic Trajectories in Non-Traditional Families with Children

  Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, examines associations between family structure and economic trajectories during the first five years after a child's birth, paying special attention to non-traditional families.

  Oct 22, 2009

• Draft

  Draft

  Longitudinal Perceptions of Supportiveness from Biological Fathers and Maternal Mental Health Problems

  Focuses on trajectories of mothers' perceived supportiveness from a biological child’s father and mental health problems five years after the birth.

  Sep 29, 2009

• Journal Article

  Journal Article

  Marital Trajectories and Mortality Among US Adults

  This study demonstrates that traditional measures oversimplify the relation between marital status and mortality and that sex differences are related to a nexus of marital experiences and associated health risks.

  Sep 1, 2009

• Journal Article

  Journal Article

  Family Structure and Fathers' Well-Being: Trajectories of Mental Health and Self-Rated Health

  The association between marital status and health among men has been well documented, but few studies track health trajectories following family structure transitions among unmarried fathers.

  2009

• Journal Article

  Journal Article

  Is It There When You Need It?

  Little is known about the effect of incongruity between perception of, or belief in, the availability of support and actual receipt of support during a time of need.

  2009

• Journal Article

  Journal Article

  Stability and Change in Family Structure and Maternal Health Trajectories

  This article examines trajectories of maternal mental and physical health using data from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study.

  2008

• Journal Article

  Journal Article

  Evidence of Parallel Pathways: Gender Similarity in the Impact of Social Support on Adolescent Depression and Delinquency

  Examines possible parallel pathways between social support (from parents, peers and schools) and depression in females and delinquency in males.

  Mar 1, 2007

• Journal Article

  Journal Article

  Disaggregating the Effects of Marital Trajectories on Health

  Recent studies linking marital status and health increasingly focus on marital trajectories to examine the relationship from a life course perspective.

  2007

• Journal Article

  Journal Article

  Measuring Trends in Child Well-Being: An Evidence-Based Approach

  This paper first reviews the goals of the founding documents of the social indicators and quality-of-life movements of the 1960s and 1970s.

  2007

• Journal Article

  Journal Article

  Parental Depression and Anxiety and Early Childhood Behavior Problems Across Family Types

  Using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we examine the association between parental major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders and child behavior problems across family types: married, cohabiting, involved nonresident father, and noninvolved nonresident father.

  2007