Helping the helpers: family support for social workers mobilized during Desert Storm/Shield

This study identifies the types of social support available to the families of social work officers activated during Operation Desert Storm/Shield and determines which social supports were utilized by these families and the degree of perceived satisfaction with those social supports. This is a post-event assessment on a one-time basis. A Social Support Questionnaire was sent to the spouses of all activated Social Work Officers. Findings suggest no correlation between amount of social support and perceived effectiveness. Findings also suggest a need to assist families of military social work officers with informal and formal social support connections.