Families Support to Transition: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

Abstract: RAND Europe was commissioned by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) to conduct a study assessing the evidence base around families of UK military personnel during their transition to civilian life. While it is widely recognised that Service families influence successful transition, no systematic review has been undertaken in the UK on this subject prior to this study. To enhance understanding of the available literature in this area, RAND Europe was asked to conduct such a review. The review focuses on four areas of interest to FiMT: engagement with families, family breakdown, family housing, and spousal employment. This report presents the methods used and findings from a systematic review of the literature across the four thematic areas. It identifies key areas where relevant evidence is lacking and provides a number of recommendations on research that could be conducted in the future in order to strengthen the evidence base. This report will have relevance for policymakers responsible for policies relating to Service leavers and their families, as well as to researchers working within this field. It is also of relevance to support providers who are offering support to Service leavers and their families and who may need to be aware of which type of support is most effective. Finally, the report is relevant for funding providers, such as FiMT, in order to prioritise funding for research areas and support programmes in the future.