Equipping communities with proven programs and supports
Resource | Empower | Advocate | Connect | Heart
About the Study
The REACH study is funded by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP). The goal of the study is to gauge the effectiveness of how a curriculum-based, weekly, support group for military spouses can improve spouses’ quality of life, mental health, social support, self-care practices, and knowledge of health conditions impacting service members.
Eight weekly sessions are facilitated by trained military spouse peer leaders using a curriculum that fosters group discussion across a variety of topics relevant to the military spouses’ experiences. The program enables participants to share their experiences with others, while both receiving and providing peer support. The program includes discussion-based sessions as well as educational content, skill-building exercises, and activities and is provided in-person at Fort Cavazos, Texas.
To learn more about the study, contact our team at imvfw@austin.utexas.edu.
NOW RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS!
We are currently seeking military spouses or committed partners located in Fort Cavazos to join peer support groups in our REACH study. These groups provide a safe space for peers to come together, share their stories, lean on one another for support and guidance, and form lasting bonds they can rely on well after the group ends.
Participant Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in the REACH study, individuals must be a military spouse or committed partner who is:
- Married to or in a committed relationship with an active-duty soldier at Fort Cavazos
- Planning to remain at Fort Cavazos through December 2024
- Willing to attend in-person sessions of the program once/week for 8 weeks
Celebrating our inaugural group of peer leaders!
Our inaugural group of REACH peer leaders joined us in December 2023 for our peer leader training. We’re so excited to have this amazing group of spouses and committed partners leading our REACH groups!
Why do we focus on peer support?
The positive effects of social support for spouses are far-reaching. Not only do peers offer valuable information about available resources, the impact of peer-to-peer connection has also been found to improve spouses’ mental health and quality of life. In addition to the positive impacts experienced by spouses on an individual level, when spouses improve their understanding of how to support their service member’s psychological health risks and concerns, service members can similarly benefit by having more familial support when seeking treatment. In addition, the presence of peer support can help to maintain strong family relationships and reduce family relationship stress. Based on study findings, this curriculum will be published and available to military spouses in all branches.