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Enhancing Relationship Functioning and Relationship Deployment Readiness: Dyadic Changes Through the Adventures in
Chengfei Jiao1, Hye-Jung Yun2, Kaley G Turner2
1Department of Human Development and Family Science, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
|June 16, 2026
Summary
The Adventures in Marriage (AIM) program significantly improved relationship functioning and deployment readiness for military couples. This skills-based program offers accessible support for service members and their partners facing unique challenges.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Family Studies
- Military Psychology
Background:
- Military couples encounter unique stressors like deployments and separations impacting relationship well-being.
- The Adventures in Marriage (AIM) program is designed to bolster relationship functioning through a structured, skills-based curriculum.
- AIM offers a time-efficient and accessible format tailored to the specific needs of military relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the AIM program on military couples' relationship functioning.
- To assess changes in relationship deployment readiness among military couples post-AIM participation.
Main Methods:
- A quantitative study involving 302 different-sex military couples.
- Pre- and post-program surveys were administered to participants.
- Latent Change Score Modeling (LCSM) was employed to analyze relationship changes.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in both wives' and husbands' relationship functioning after attending AIM.
- Relationship deployment readiness also showed significant increases for both partners.
- Enhanced relationship functioning was positively correlated with improved deployment readiness at individual and dyadic levels.
Conclusions:
- The AIM program effectively enhances relationship functioning and deployment readiness in military couples.
- Findings support the integration of programs like AIM into military family support services.
- Targeted interventions can mitigate the adverse effects of military life on relationships.
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