Exploratory Discussions of Spouse Employment Issues.

摘要

This research supports the Army Family Action Plans (1984 - 1989) by examining factors related to the employment problem of Army spouses. The research examines reasons for not working, barriers to employment, eduction and training needs, and precieved effects of spouse employment on readiness, retention, and family wellness. A core set of questions was asked of both employed and nonemployed spouses. Employment specific questions asked of employed spouses included employment status; satisfaction with employment status; reasoons for working; possible barriers imposed by the lifestyle for obtaining and keeping a job; possible hindrances created by the Army lifestyle for career development; education and training needs; and perceptions of how spouse employment relates to soldier readiness and career decisions. For the nonemployed spouses questions focused on need/desire for employment; barriers to obtaining a job or pursuing a career; education and training needs; knowledge and use of available employment assistance programs; and perceptions of how not being employed affects soldier readiness and career decisions. Interviews with Army Program personnel included questions on problems that Army spouses experience in finding employment, types of work desired by spouses, skills possessed by spouses, training needs, and soldiers' attitudes toward spouse employment. Keywords: Enlisted retention; Officer retention; Family programs; Family separation; Spouse employment; Army wives; Personnel management.