The Relationship Between Perceived Resilience and Perceived Motivation on the Educational Pursuits of the Military Spouse

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe military spouses based on factors related to educational pursuits and to explore the relationship between the military spouse?s perceived resilience and perceived motivation as well as personal factors related to the decision to pursue educational opportunities. The target population for this study was defined as military spouses who have experienced at least one Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. The accessible population consisted of military spouses stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas who are a member of one of the spouse clubs. The instrument for this study was developed by combining portions of two individual, routinely utilized assessments in order to measure the variables of interest for the study. It is hoped that by determining perceived resilience and perceived motivation and the impact these characteristics have on educational pursuits, as resilience can be taught, more programs can be initiated that would aid in assisting the military spouse.

This study utilized descriptive correlational research. No statistically significant differences were found in perceived motivation scores, perceived resilience scores and the choice to pursue educational opportunities between the spouses of enlisted service members and the spouses of officers. A statistically significant difference was detected in the source of motivation. The spouses of officers possessed more extrinsic motivation when compared to the spouses of enlisted service members. Regression analysis detected no statistically significant relationship between resilience score and motivation scores, and the choice to pursue educational opportunities.