ABSTRACT
Single-parent military families experience a combination of stressors from single-parenthood and the military lifestyle. Single military parents experience more role conflict between their job requirements and their family care expectations, which increases their risk for psychological distress. This study examined the impact of military life-related stressors on psychological distress among single parents in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) who had dependent children 19 years old and younger (N = 552). Results demonstrated that being a primary caregiver for a child increased occupational stress and work–family conflict. Further, occupational and parental stressors, as well as work–family conflict, were associated with more psychological distress, whereas parental strain and work–family conflict predicted psychological distress. In addition, work–family conflict was found to mediate the paths between parental strain and deployment-related stress and psychological distress. Recommendations are offered for mitigating the impact of military life-related stress on single parents.
