2016 status of forces survey of active duty members...

2016 Status of Forces Survey of

Active Duty Members (SOFS-A) Selected Results on Active Duty Members and Families:

Technology, Relationships, Child Care, Counseling,

Impact of Deployments, and Military OneSource

Kimberly Williams

Family Support Research Network

1 February 2018

2

Office of People Analytics Data Driven Solutions for Decision MakersOffice of People Analytics Data Driven Solutions for Decision Makers

Top-Line Results

Relationships

• Over 80% of active duty members

who were married or separated or

had a significant other reported that

they have a good, strong, and stable

relationship with their partner

Child Care

• Members most satisfied with quality

of on-base child care (81%)

• Members most dissatisfied with

affordability of off-base child care

(44%)

Counseling

• 17% of members talked to a counselor in past 6 months

• Top issues discussed: coping with stress (68%), family issues (51%), problem

solving (44%)

• Top perceived concerns about seeking counseling: harm to member’s career (15%),

member seen as weak (14%), difficulty getting time off work or child care (13%)

Top Concerns While Deployed

• Spouse’s job or education demands

(21%), difficulty maintaining emotional

connection with spouse/family (20%),

difficulty sleeping (20%)

Children’s Changes in Response

to Member’s Deployment

• Increase in fear/anxiety (33%), problem

behavior at home (33%), anger about

member’s military requirements (22%)

2


Briefing Overview

Slide

Survey Details ......................................................................................... 4

Technology .............................................................................................. 6

Relationships .......................................................................................... 8

Child Care .............................................................................................. 11

Counseling ............................................................................................ 13

Impact of Deployments ........................................................................ 16

Military OneSource ............................................................................... 23

3

Survey Field Period Method Sample

Size

Weighted

Response

Rate

February 2016 Status of Forces Survey of

Active Duty Members (SOFS-A) Jan – Apr 2016 Web 66,000 23%

September 2016 SOFS-A Sep – Nov 2016 Web 95,000 20%

4


Survey Details

• OPA uses well-established, scientific procedures to randomly select a sample

representing the military population based on combinations of demographic

characteristics

– Demographic groups with lower response rates are oversampled (i.e., junior enlisted)

• Data are weighted using an industry standard process to produce survey

estimates representative of their respective populations; results can be

generalized to full military population

Office of People Analytics Data Driven Solutions for Decision Makers


Briefing Overview

Slide

Survey Details ......................................................................................... 4

Technology .............................................................................................. 6

Relationships .......................................................................................... 8

Child Care .............................................................................................. 11

Counseling ............................................................................................ 13



5

SOFS-A Sep 16 Q235 Margins of error range from ±1% to ±3%

19

29

89

90

92

96

96

97

0 20 40 60 80 100

Landline telephone at home

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service

Video call/chat apps (e.g., Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts)

Social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr)

Computer at home

Internet access at home

E-mail

Mobile device (e.g., smartphone, smart watch, tablet, eReader)

Yes

-

-

-

- -

-


Member's and/or Family's Use of or Access to Technology Percent of All Active Duty Members

Mobile devices members used when deployed

• Smartphone: 66% 70%

• Tablet: 40% 41%

• eReader, handheld game console, smart watch,

personal digital assistant device: 4% 7%

About 75% of non-deployed members indicated they use a mobile device almost daily to

access information or services (74%) and communicate with family and friends (70%);

about 50% of members do so almost daily when deployed

Most significant differences among the Services

• Smartphone: Army (58% 60%) vs. Air Force (78% 82%)

• Tablet: Marine Corps (23% 25%) vs. Air Force (54%)

6


Briefing Overview

Slide

Survey Details ......................................................................................... 4

Technology .............................................................................................. 6

Relationships .......................................................................................... 8

Child Care .............................................................................................. 11

Counseling ............................................................................................ 13



7

-


Relationship With Spouse/Significant Other Percent of Active Duty Members Who Were Married or Separated or Had a Significant Other

SOFS-A Feb 16 Q121 Margins of error range from ±1% to ±2%

83

84

85

86

88

11

9

9

9

8

6

6

6

5

4

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

I really feel like part of a team with my partner.

My relationship with my partner is very stable.

My relationship with my partner is strong.

My relationship with my partner makes me happy.

We have a good relationship.

Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

No significant differences in 2016 among the Services for all five statements and overall Quality of Relationship

However, E5 E9 members were significantly more likely to disagree with all five statements vs. other paygrades

Significantly more members agreed with all five statements in 2016 vs. 2012; agreement in 2016 is similar to 2013

Quality of Relationship

scale

No significant differences in 2016 vs. 2012/2013 for o

4.4

verall Quality of Relationship

1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0

Average SOFS-A Feb 16 Q121 Margins of error do not exceed ±0.1

8


Problems in Personal Relationships Compared to 12 Months Ago Percent of Active Duty Members Who Had a Spouse/Significant Other

Frequency of relationship

problems with spouse/significant

other

42 41 18

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Less often About the same More often SOFS-A Feb 16 Q119, Q120 Margins of error range from ±2% to ±3%

Problems less often

• Army: 46%

• E1-E4: 49%

• Army Enlisted: 50%

Problems more often

• Enlisted: 19%

Percentages of members experiencing relationship problems less often

(42%) is significantly higher (better) in 2016 than from 2005-2013

9


Briefing Overview

Slide

Survey Details ......................................................................................... 4

Technology .............................................................................................. 6

Relationships .......................................................................................... 8

Child Care .............................................................................................. 11

Counseling ............................................................................................ 13



10

Satisfaction With Aspects of Child Care

-Off base child care

65% use off-base child care Average monthly child care expenses (both on - and off -base): $706.

No significant differences among the Services in 2016

Quality of child care

Availability of child care

Affordability of child care

36

65

69

20

19

20

44

16

11

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Satisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied Dissatisfied


-

48

66

81

17

10

11

35

23

8

39% use on-base child care

On base child care

Quality of child care

Availability of child care

Affordability of child care

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

SOFS-A Sep 16 Q222 Satisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied Dissatisfied Margins of error range from ±4% to ±7%


Percent of Active Duty Members With Children 13 Years Old or Younger and Who Routinely Use Child Care

Arrangements To Allow Member and/or Spouse T o Work

11

Satisfaction with aspects of on-base and off-base child care in 2016 is consistent with 2006 -2014


Briefing Overview

Slide

Survey Details ......................................................................................... 4

Technology .............................................................................................. 6

Relationships .......................................................................................... 8

Child Care .............................................................................................. 11

Counseling ............................................................................................ 13



12


Issues Discussed in Counseling Percent of Active Duty Members Who Received Counseling in Past Six Months

17% of active duty members reported that they talked to a counselor in the past 6 months

17% of active members alked to in 0 20 40 60 80 100Yes

duty reported that they t a counselor the past 6 months

Coping with stress

Family issues

Problem solving

Other concerns

Marital issues

Couple's communication issues

Grief and loss

Crisis situations

Financial management

Dealing with family separations

Parent/child issues

Deployment and reunion

33

40

41

44

51

68

14

20

20

22

22

27

Among the Services in 2016, significantly higher percentages of

Army members talked to a counselor in the past 6 months (21%),

while significantly lower percentages of Air Force members talked to

a counselor (12%).

0 20 40 60 80 100

SOFS-A Sep 16 Q180 Yes Margins of error range from ±4% to ±6%

Only significant difference in 2016 among the Services for the specified issues is higher percentages of

Navy members who received financial management counseling (35%)

[primarily due to Navy enlisted members at 38%]

Most significant differences among men and women in 2016 include counseling received for

family issues (64% women; 47% men), grief and loss (38% women; 23% men),

and crisis situations (33% women; 18% men)

13

Extent That Concerns May Impact Decision About Counseling Percent of All Active Duty Members

It would harm my career.

It would be seen as weak.

There would be difficulty getting time off work or child care for counseling.

It would be too embarrassing.

I don't believe counseling would help.

It is difficult to get help.

Getting counseling costs too much money.

I don't believe in going outside of the family for counseling.

I don't know where to get help.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

SOFS-A Sep 16 Q182 Large extent Moderate/Small extent Not at all

Margins of error range from ±1% to ±3%

2

4

5

5

8

10

13

14

15

20

16

18

25

28

29

23

28

28

78

80

78

71

64

61

64

59

57

In 2016, significantly higher percentages of junior officers were concerned to a large extent that seeking counseling

would harm their career (19%), while significantly higher percentages of junior enlisted members reported that

getting counseling costs too much money (7%)


No significant differences in 2016 among the Services for members who reported these were concerns to a large

extent except Marine Corps members who indicated their concern was that they would be seen as weak (20%)

14


Briefing Overview

Slide

Survey Details ......................................................................................... 4

Technology .............................................................................................. 6

Relationships .......................................................................................... 8

Child Care .............................................................................................. 11

Counseling ............................................................................................ 13



15

17% of active duty members reported that they talked to a counselor in the past 6 months

’


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Not a concern Moderate/Small extent Large extent


Concerns While Away During Most Recent Deployment Percent of Applicable Active Duty Members Deployed in Past 5 Years


55

53

53

55

46

45

44

48

51

44

47

32

35

35

31

39

39

39

33

29

37

32

12

12

13

14

15

16

17

19

20

20

21

Serious emotional problems in the family

Your feelings of anxiety or depression

Your feelings of loneliness

Marital problems

Technical difficulties communicating with spouse/family

Household repairs, yard work, or car maintenance

Managing bills and expenses

Safety of your family in their community

Your difficulty sleeping

Difficulty maintaining emotional connection with spouse/family

Spouse's job or education demands

81

87

85

81

83

70

56

67

65

62

16

9

12

15

9

21

32

20

24

26

3

4

4

4

8

9

11

12

12

12

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Major financial hardship or bankruptcy

Other

Legal problems

Loss of income from part-time job

Birth or adoption of a child

Unintended weight gain or loss

Serious health problems in the family

Increased need for child care

Your ability to continue your college education

Managing child care/child schedules

Not a concern Moderate/Small extent Large extent

Among the Services in 2016, significantly higher percentages of Navy members were concerned to a large extent

about managing bills and expenses (21%), technical difficulties communicating with spouse/family (20%), and

unintended weight gain or loss (14%), including Navy enlisted members feelings of anxiety or depression (18%)

16

- -

- -

- -


Degree of Difficulty in Readjusting to Return Home Percent of Members Deployed in Past 24 Months But Not Currently Deployed

Which of the following

describes your readjustment to

being back home after your recent

deployment?

48 37 15

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Easy Neither easy nor difficult Difficult SOFS-A Feb 16 Q175 Margins of error do not exceed ±4%

No significant differences in 2016 among the Services for members who reported that they had a

difficult readjustment to being back home after their most recent deployment

Significantly higher percentage of Air Force members indicated in 2016 that they had an easy

readjustment after their most recent deployment (57%) compared to the other Services

Overall, significantly lower percentages of active duty members reported in 2016 that they had a difficult

readjustment (15%) compared to 2006 2013 (18% 21%) except in 2010 (16%) when the degree of difficulty

was comparable

Over the last 10 years, Army members have experienced a significant decrease in the degree of difficulty

with their adjustment (19% 29% with a difficult readjustment from 2006 2013 vs. 12% in 2016)

Navy members experienced the largest increase in the degree of difficulty with their adjustment

in 2016 (20%) vs. 2006 2008 (14% 18%)

17

Negative Emotional/Behavioral Changes After Deployment Percent of Members Deployed in Past 24 Months But Not Currently Deployed

12

15

16

20

23

31

31

32

41

38

57

54

52

39

39

Take more risks with your safety

Drink more alcohol

Be different in another way

Get angry faster

Be more emotionally distant

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

SOFS-A Feb 16 Q171 Not at all Margins of error do not exceed ±4% Large extent Moderate/Small extent


Among the Services in 2016, significantly higher percentages of Navy members reported they consumed more alcohol

to a large extent (23%)

Positive Emotional/Behavioral Changes After Deployment Percent of Members Deployed in Past 24 Months But Not Currently Deployed

Appreciate your family and friends

more

Appreciate life more

Have more confidence in yourself

46 39 16

39 41 20

29 49 23

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% SOFS-A Feb 16 Q171 Margins of error do not exceed ±4% Large extent Moderate/Small extent Not at all

Among the Services in 2016, significantly higher percentages of Navy members reported they appreciated family and friends more (54%) to a

large extent, while higher percentages of Army members had more confidence in themselves (37%) to a large extent

18


Children's Emotional/Behavioral Changes in Response to Deployment (1 of 2) Percent of Members Deployed in Past 24 Months But Not Currently Deployed and Who Had at Least One

Child During Most Recent Deployment

Closeness to family members

Pride in having a military parent

Independence

Closeness to friends

Being responsible

Academic performance 3

20

20

24

25

27

80

72

74

67

73

68

17

8

6

8

3

5

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Increased No change Decreased SOFS-A Feb 16 Q177 Margins of error range from ±3% to ±8%

No significant differences in 2016 among the Services for members who reported their

children’s emotional/behavioral changes increased or decreased in response to the member’s

most recent deployment

In general over time, no significant differences among the Services for members who reported in

2016 that their children’s emotional/behavioral changes increased or decreased in response to their

most recent deployment except…

Percentage of children whose closeness to family members decreased

(5% of members reported the closeness decreased in 2016, while 10% reported this in Dec 2007)

19

-

-


Children's Emotional/Behavioral Changes in Response to Deployment (2 of 2) Percent of Members Deployed in Past 24 Months But Not Currently Deployed and Who Had at Least One


Fear/anxiety

Problem behavior at home

Anger about my military requirements

Problem behavior at school

Distress over discussions of the war in the home, school, or media

Other behavior(s) 5

10

22

22

33

33

93

88

73

76

62

66

2

1

4

2

5

1

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Increased No change Decreased SOFS-A Feb 16 Q177 Margins of error range from ±2% to ±8%

No significant differences in 2016 among the Services for members who reported their

children’s emotional/behavioral changes increased or decreased in response to the member’s

most recent deployment

In general over time, no significant differences among the Services for members who reported in

2016 that their children’s emotional/behavioral changes increased or decreased in response to their

most recent deployment except…

Percentage of children who experienced an increase in distress over discussions of the war in the

home, school, or media (10% of members reported this distress increased in 2016, while 18% 23%

reported this from 2006 2011)

20


Importance of Factors for Children in Coping With Deployments Percent of Members Deployed in Past 24 Months With Children Age 22 or Under and Who Had at Least One



23

85

85

87

90

8

4

8

6

4

70

10

6

7

7

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

Geographic stability during deployment

Communications with the deployed parent

Spouse/guardian support for the deployment

Spouse/guardian ability to maintain a stable household routine

Important Moderately/Somewhat important Not important

No significant differences in 2016 among the Services for the importance of factors for

children coping with deployments

No significant differences in importance of factors for children coping with

deployments in 2016 vs. 2006-2013

21


Briefing Overview

Slide

Survey Details ......................................................................................... 4

Technology .............................................................................................. 6

Relationships .......................................................................................... 8

Child Care .............................................................................................. 11

Counseling ............................................................................................ 13



22


Use of Military OneSource in Past 12 Months Percent of All Active Duty Members


2

5

6

8

30

0 20 40 60 80 100

Contacted Military OneSource to arrange for video counseling session(s)

E-mailed Military OneSource

Contacted Military OneSource to arrange for face-to-face or telephonic counseling session(s)

Talked to a Military OneSource consultant on the phone

Accessed www.MilitaryOneSource.mil

Yes

31% of members reported in 2016 that they accessed

Military OneSource using any of the listed methods

Use of Military OneSource in 2016 (31%) has

increased significantly since 2006 (20%)

Usefulness of Military OneSource Percent of Active Duty Members Who Used Specified Military OneSource Feature in Past 12 Months

Military OneSource video counseling session(s)

Military OneSource consultant on the phone

E-mail communication with a Military OneSource consultant

Military OneSource face-to-face or telephonic counseling session(s)

MilitaryOneSource.mil 74

76

79

84

88

21

12

16

11

9

4

12

5

5

3

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Useful Somewhat useful Not useful


No significant differences in 2016 among the Services for members who reported that each of the Military OneSource

methods was useful or was not useful

23

http://www.MilitaryOneSource.mil

24


Summary

Relationships

• Over 80% of active duty members

who were married or separated or

had a significant other reported that

they have a good, strong, and stable

relationship with their partner

Child Care

• Members most satisfied with quality

of on-base child care (81%)

• Members most dissatisfied with

affordability of off-base child care

(44%)

Counseling

• 17% of members talked to a counselor in past 6 months

• Top issues discussed: coping with stress (68%), family issues (51%), problem

solving (44%)

• Top perceived concerns about seeking counseling: harm to member’s career (15%),

member seen as weak (14%), difficulty getting time off work or child care (13%)

Top Concerns While Deployed

• Spouse’s job or education demands

(21%), difficulty maintaining emotional

connection with spouse/family (20%),

difficulty sleeping (20%)

Children’s Changes in Response

to Member’s Deployment

• Increase in fear/anxiety (33%), problem

behavior at home (33%), anger about

member’s military requirements (22%)

24

Contact information For questions about the survey results, please contact:

Kimberly Williams

Survey Analyst, Center for Retention & Readiness (R&R), OPA

[email protected]

Carol Newell

Deputy Director, Center for R&R, OPA

[email protected]

Dr. Paul Rosenfeld

Director, Center for R&R, OPA

[email protected]

25

mailto:[email protected]



2016 status of forces survey of active duty members...

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