Development and evaluation of the Mil-Vet Spouses & Partners Transition and Resilience (MySTART) Toolkit

Introduction: Life before, during, and after the military can be a complex and dynamic process for families as a whole, ranging from successful to traumatic. While much information is readily available to service members and Veterans, the same cannot be said for their spouses and partners. Many spouses and partners feel they live with unpredictability; are misunderstood by and invisible to the general public; experience barriers to and a significant unmet need for support and resources; and bear the burden while striving to maintain peace at all costs, including sacrificing themselves to make others feel whole. The Mil-Vet Spouses & Partners Transition and Resilience (MySTART) Toolkit ( www.mystartkit.com ) was created to increase spouses’/partners’ knowledge of available resources, as well as increase their confidence in addressing challenges that may arise before, during, and after discharge from the military. Methods: The development and evaluation of the MySTART Toolkit was conducted using quantitative and qualitative pre- and post-intervention surveys to understand the challenges and needs of spouses and partners. Results: The toolkit was accessed by 108 unique individuals and viewed 149 times during the six weeks it was fielded. While most visits were in the United States, the toolkit was accessed from worldwide locations. Survey results showed that participants’ overall knowledge and confidence increased with the use of the MySTART Toolkit. Discussion: The toolkit provides an evidence-informed and usable solution for spouses and partners of transitioning military service members to increase knowledge and confidence in navigating resources and next steps after military separation. Moreover, as this is not geographically constrained, spouses and partners relocating from rural and remote locations can be supported through this transition. Spouses and partners of service members are an integral part of family relocations after separation from service and can benefit from this online platform to help them understand and use available resources.