InDependent but not Alone: A Web-Based Intervention to Promote Physical and Mental Health among Military Spouses.

Background: Military spouses must cope with multiple threats to their physical and mental health, yet few interventions have been developed to promote health in this population.

Methods: For this quasi-experimental study, military spouses (N = 231) received a standard educational intervention or an interactive, theory-based intervention; both were delivered online and lasted 10 weeks. The educational intervention directed participants to content on the existing website, Operation Live Well. The interactive intervention was based on Self-Determination Theory, delivered weekly content via podcasts, and encouraged participants to complete weekly challenges to improve physical activity, diet, and mental health. Linear mixed effects models were used to examine self-reported changes in stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, self-esteem, physical activity, and diet from pre- to post-intervention.

Results: Significant improvements were observed for all mental health outcomes, total physical activity, and sugar consumption. However, there were no significant group by time interaction effects.

Conclusions: Web-based interventions may promote positive changes in mental health and health behaviours among military spouses. In this study, an interactive theory-based intervention was no more effective than an information-based intervention. Future studies should aim to determine the minimum "dose" needed to elicit meaningful changes in this population.