Transferable Resilience Practices: Communication and Resilience of U.S. Military Spouses during the Initial Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

This study uses the communication theory of resilience as a sensitizing framework to explore how U.S. military spouses transferred resilience practices acquired during military deployment to early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from 27 in-depth interviews with U.S. military spouses showed that the military experience shaped participants’ appraisal of the pandemic and helped them to discursively enact resilience through previously developed practices. Six major themes emerged: (a) crafting normalcy through the military lifestyle and experience; (b) affirming identity through military anchors; (c) invoking military mantras as alternative logics; (d) foregrounding productive action through flexibility and planning; (e) maintaining communication networks through (i) technology, (ii) family and community support, and (iii) intentional communication with partner; and (f) downplaying negative feelings by generating positive emotions. Findings contribute to the communication theory of resilience by showing how individuals with a history of resilience can transfer already-built resilience practices from one context (deployment) to another (COVID-19).

Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank and acknowledge the military spouses who participated in this research and were willing to share their stories.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no known conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

Margaret J. Pitts received funding for this work from the Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Institute [19FSS0963].