Work-family conflict and subsequent depressive symptoms among war-exposed post-9/11 U.S. military Veterans

Abstract

LAY SUMMARY Veterans may struggle with the conflicts that arise from juggling competing work and family demands after they leave military service. Over time, these feelings of conflict can have a negative impact on their mental health. The current study sought to explore the impact of conflict between work and family roles on war-zone-deployed U.S. Veterans’ depressive symptoms 1.5 years later. Men and women were examined separately. Results showed that when family responsibilities interfered with work responsibilities both men and women had higher levels of depressive symptoms 1.5 years later. However, when work responsibilities interfered with family responsibilities, only men reported higher levels of depressive symptoms 1.5 years later. The current findings support the importance of programs that can help both female and male Veterans readjust to changing life roles when they leave military service. Both types of conflict are modifiable, and these findings suggest the importance of workplace and Veterans Affairs programs that can help military Veterans manage changing responsibilities and demands upon reintegration.