Citation

Bowen GL. Eval. Program Plann. 1986; 9(3): 209-220.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0149-7189(86)90018-2

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Drawing upon a probability sample of 700 couples (1,400 spouses) in the U.S. Air Force, the present study examines the direct and indirect impacts of spouse support on the retention intentions of enlisted men, officer men, and enlisted women. In addition, exploratory analysis is conducted to identify variables associated with variations in spouse support. Restricting the sample to members with less than 10 years of service, spouse support is found to have a significant and positive effect on the retention intentions of the three respondent groups via path analysis. The results are discussed in the context of empirically validating the assumptions for program planning and development that are partially based on the assumed importance of spouse support to the retention intentions of members. Implications are suggested for future research.