2020 Volume 7 Pages 9-16
Objective: The aim of this study is to examine differences and changes between 2 years in proportion of local counselors and social involvement of wives accompanying their husbands stationed overseas, according to their length of stay. Methods: Web-based surveys were conducted in 2016 and 2017. Differences between these two years were assessed using a χ2 or Fisher exact test, and Cochran Q and McNemar tests. Results: Wives with relationships with others, especially with a Japanese friend, decreased in 2017 compared to 2016, among wives who had lived overseas for 1 to <3 years and 5 to <10 years’ group, despite an increase in wives who had local counselors. The social involvement rate was lower in the 1 to <3 years’ group than in the other groups in 2016. In both years, 10% of wives who had no counselors except their husbands or no social involvement, and nearly the same wives responded each year. Discussion: These results suggest that a certain number of wives accompanying their husbands stationed overseas have periods of reduced social involvement and relationships with others, or periods of no involvement. Occupational nurses or clinicians should consider collaboration with local stakeholders to provide support for these wives, so that they can maintain stable mental health without becoming isolated.
