The U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center’s 2001 Survey of Army Families (SAF) IV collected information on spouse attitudes about the Army way of life and areas important for the well being of Army families. These include, housing, family relocation and separation, paid employment and volunteer work, children, health care, MWR Programs and installation services. SAF IV was fielded April through July of 2001.

Similar to previous SAFs (1987, 1991, and 1995), SAF IV tracks trends in the characteristics of Army families, identifies new and emerging family issues, assesses progress in resolving Army Family Action Plan issues, and supplements other studies on Army families. In addition, it assesses the changing needs of soldiers and their family members due to Army downsizing and multiple deployments.

SAF IV findings indicate a decrease since 1995 in the percentage of spouses of active duty soldiers satisfied or very satisfied with the Army as a way of life. More encouraging are findings that a high percentage of spouses reported fewer problems dealing with Army demands and “getting along” while the soldier is away. Compared to 1995, spouses are better prepared to deal with deployments in that they feel more comfortable dealing with Army agencies while the soldier is away, most deal well with regular day–to-day tasks, and most of those with children deal well with child-related tasks. The decreases since 1995 in the percentages of spouses satisfied with the support and concern shown for their family by officers in their soldier’s unit and garrison leaders are disturbing. These are the lowest levels of satisfaction with Army leadership measured since SAF I (1987).

In-depth analysis of SAF IV results shows that positive perceptions of leadership support and concern for families are highly associated with spouse satisfaction with the Army as a way of life and soldiers’ career decisions. For example, we know that that spouses who participate in Army Family Team Building and Family Readiness Groups [Acrobat .pdf format] benefit by being prepared for Army life. These spouses also are more likely to see unit and post leaders during their training or meetings. This is why participants in these programs are twice and even three times as likely to be satisfied with unit and post leaders’ concern for families. Leader attendance and involvement in these programs appears to increase spouses’ perception that leaders care about their families.

The SAF IV results are available in a variety of formats tailored to meet your needs:

Survey Instrument

Summaries: A six-page narrative Summary of SAF IV Highlights [Acrobat .pdf format] presents a brief overview of results. A Power-Point Briefing summarizes findings in selected areas.

Complete Findings: The organization of the SAF IV Final Executive Summary [Acrobat .pdf format]] parallels the one used in the questionnaire. The report presents the results in the same order as the questionnaire and provides findings for each question. The SAF IV Quick Summary [Acrobat .pdf format] provides the percentages responding to each alternative of each question for officers, enlisted personnel, and the total weighted sample.

In-Depth Analyses:

ACS Programs and Adjustment among Army Non-military Spouses - ACS programs have their greatest effects when there is also the contribution of other Army support services and leadership support in the lives of these families.

Army Leadership Support for Families and Adjustment of Army Non-military Spouses. [Acrobat .pdf format]
Leadership support is positively linked to successful spouse and family adjustments to Army demands. Perceived Army leader support for families has declined to the lowest levels measured since 1987. Recommended key actions include: increasing post and unit leader awareness of the importance of families to the mission of the Army, and increasing post and unit leader support for and referrals to family support programs through active participation in programs for Army families.

MWR and Adjustment Among Army Non-military Spouses. [Acrobat .pdf format]
Having fun and getting physically fit are the most common reasons for MWR participation. More frequent use of MWR is related to higher levels of positive spouse adjustment.

Impact of PCS Moves on High School Students in Army Families [Acrobat .pdf format]
Among all spouses (both those of officers and enlisted personnel) who made a PCS move within the last 3 years and were accompanied by their high school-age child(ren), 43.9% reported that their high school-age child(ren) experienced school-related problems because of changing schools.

Deployment and Separation Adjustment Among Army Civilian Spouses [Acrobat .pdf format]
Since 1995, there has been an improvement in short-term but a decline in long-term separation adjustments.

Family Readiness Support and Adjustment Among Army Civilian Spouses [Acrobat .pdf format]
AFTB involvement is linked to improved connections to Army agencies and knowledge of the Army. FRG involvement is linked to beliefs that Army leaders care for families.

Relocation Adjustment among Army Civilian Spouses [Acrobat .pdf format]
The use of Army relocation services is increasing, but spouse satisfaction with these services is low to moderate.

Housing and Personal Adjustment among Army Civilian Spouses [Acrobat .pdf format]
Concerns over security and the substandard quality of government housing are common.

For more information contact: Strategic Planning and Policy, U.S. Army Community & Family Support Center - MWR Research