richard fafara/cfsc-sp/(703) 681-7438/(dsn 761)/[email protected] 1 of 12 29032007 mwr...

Richard Fafara/CFSC-SP/(703) 681-7438/(DSN 761)/[email protected] 1 of 12 29032007

MWR Programs and Their Effect on Readiness and Retention

"Linkage between Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Programs and

Mission"

Dave Westhuis, Ph.D., Indiana University

Richard Fafara, Ph.D., Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, U.S. Army



Previous Research • MWR Programs and Readiness Links: 1995 and 2003

Update (Caliber Associates)

– Specified a conceptual model of MWR – Readiness relationships based on findings from civilian and military literature

– Identified possible links (direct and indirect) between MWR usage and readiness dimensions

– Limitations:

• The generalizability of the links identified was questionable

• Few studies provided empirical support for the links

• Challenge: to conduct rigorous reliable studies on robust databases



In-Depth AnalysisPurpose: (1) To determine if statistical significance exists between

“MWR usage” and:– Desire to stay in Army– Unit teamwork/esprit de corps – Career issues – Satisfaction with Quality of Army Life

(2) If so, measure the strength (effect size) of the associations

Data Source: Spring 2005 Sample Survey of Military Personnel (SSMP)



Effect Size: Standards

*Cohen (1988) Author of the Effect Size Scale

Levels of Effect Size

(Practical /Clinical)

Variable

Relationship

Effect Size Range

-2 to +2(Can be positive

or negative)

Ability to apply

Large*

Spouse’s support for Soldier remaining in Army &

Soldier’s intent

.90

Practically/clinically significant

Medium*

Helpfulness of FAC during the last deployment and

desire for soldier to stay in Army

.45

Educationally significant

Small*

Satisfaction with the PX and desire to remain in the Army

.15

- 2

+ 2

0

As one variable increases, another variable

increases

As one variable increases, another variable decreases

Effect Size Range

Any effect size is important.Effect size shows us the strength of the relationship

between two statistically significant variables.



Emotional Attachment (EA) to Army and Retention

Emotional Attachment to Army and Retention

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Emotional Attachment Score

% D

esir

ing to R

em

ain

in A

rmy

• The desire to stay in the Army increases as emotional attachment to the Army increases. (Effect Size =.93) (SSMP)

• Usage of MWR has a strong positive impact on emotional attachment which has a positive effect on retention



Unit TeamworkEsprit De Corps

Desire to StayIn Army

CareerIssues

SatisfactionQuality ofArmy Life

Emotional AttachmentTo the Army (EA)

Total MWR ServicesUsed in Last 2 Years

Satisfaction withMedical and Dental

Care

.35 .41

.88 1.2 1.03

Direct and Indirect Impacts of MWR Usage

.92

“I FEEL LIKE PART OF THEFAMILY IN THE MILITARY”

“MILITARY HAS GREAT DEALOF PERSONAL MEANING”

“FEEL STRONG SENSE OFBELONGING TO THE MILITARY”

“FEEL EMOTIONALLYATTACHED TO MILITARY”

Army will ProtectBenefits/Retirement

.39

Satisfaction &Respect from

Superiors

.58

Large

Medium

Small

Four Questions onEmotional Attachment





CareerIssues



.13 .17 .16


.32

Large

Medium

Small





CareerIssues


Emotional AttachmentTo the Army (EA)

.13 .32 .17 .16

.88 1.2 1.03


.92


.35

Large

Medium

Small





CareerIssues


Total Direct Effect Size

Total Effect Sizes (ES) of MWR Usage

Large

Medium

SmallTotal Effect Size = Direct + Indirect

.31 .32 .42 .36

.13 .32 .17 .16

.44 .64 .59 .52

Total Indirect ES = (ES MWR to EA) x (ES EA to Key Outcomes

+ + + +

= = = =



Conclusions• For Soldiers, usage of MWR programs/services has:

(1) A statistically significant relationship and a positive direct and an indirect impact on:

• Desire to stay in Army• Unit teamwork/esprit de corps • Career issues• Satisfaction with Quality of Army Life

(2) Impressive effect sizes for emotional attachment to the Army and key outcome measures.

• Increased usage of MWR strengthens the effect size on emotional attachment to the Army which has a large effect size on the Soldier’s desire to stay in the Army



Way Ahead - FY 07 1-2 Qtrs.Additional analyses will be conducted to:

– Replicate and further validate these findings using the 2004/5 Survey of Army Families V (SAF V) and 2005 Army Leisure Needs Survey (LNS)

– Evaluate the direct, as well as indirect, effects of MWR usage on key variables (e.g., retention, morale, satisfaction with Army life, family adjustment to the demands of Army life, and other key outcome variables)

– Include variables that have more precision in measuring the usage of MWR services rather than just “have used in last 2 years”

– Study subgroups of MWR services such and leisure time activities, youth services, ACS, etc and their impact on various outcome variables



Way Ahead - FY 07 3rd Qtr.

• Analysis will also be conducted to determine if MWR usage and effect size varies based on:

– Rank of soldier

– Living on- or off- post

– Marital status

– Soldier/spouse ethnicity

– Being located in CONUS/OCONUS

– Deployment status of Soldier

– Gender of the Soldier/spouse

richard fafara/cfsc-sp/(703) 681-7438/(dsn 761)/[email protected] 1 of 12 29032007 mwr...

Documents