Association of On-Post and Off-Post Resources With Perception of Residential Neighborhood Quality in U.S. Army Families

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship of on- and off-post resources to perceived residential neighborhood quality in 432 soldiers and their spouses from the four largest U.S. Army installations. Participants completed a questionnaire that measured one important element of perceived neighborhood quality (social cohesion/interrelatedness) and the extent to which community resources met the needs of military families. Higher levels of perceived on- and off-post resources were independently related to greater perceived neighborhood quality. After adjusting for demographics and off-post resources, on-post resources continued to be associated with perceived neighborhood quality (B = .17, p ≤ .01). Access to diverse, high-quality, and readily available community resources, particularly on-post, may enhance perceived neighborhood quality and strengthen military communities.

KEYWORDS:

• Community characteristics
• community resources
• community strength
• mental health
• military
• military families
• on-post
• off-post
• perceived residential neighborhood quality
• perceived resource adequacy
• quality of life
• soldier

Funding

This study was supported by Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences grant #HU0001-16-2-0058, “Deployment Family Stress: Child Neglect & Maltreatment in U.S. Army Families,” funded via Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request from the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense Military Community and Family Office.