2022 RCSS_Survey_OMB Feedback_20230202

OMB #XXX-XXXX Expiration XX/XX/XXXX 2023 Survey of Reserve Component Spouses

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Spouse sex and age imputed from administrative record.

1. What is your marital status?

		Married
		Separated
		Divorced
		Widowed

2. Is your spouse currently serving as a member of the National Guard/​Reserve?

		Yes
		No

3. Has your spouse previously served in a regular active duty Service (e.g., Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard) for 2 years or more?

		Yes
		No

[Ask if administrative data is not available in sample frame] How many years has your spouse spent in military service? Do not count partial years. To indicate less than one year, enter “0”.

	a. National Guard/​Reserve Service		Years
	b. Active Duty Service [Ask if (Q3 = "Yes”]		Years

4. How many years have you been a military spouse? Do not count partial years. To indicate less than one year, enter “0”.

Years

4. How close do you live to a military base/​installation? Mark one.

		Less than 30 minutes
		30 minutes to less than 1 hour
		1 to 2 hours
		More than 2 hours

4. What is the highest degree or level of school that you have completed? Mark the one answer that describes the highest grade or degree that you have completed.

		12 years or less of school (no diploma)
		High school graduate—high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED)
		Some college credit, but less than 1 year
		1 or more years of college, no degree
		Associate's degree (e.g., AA, AS)
		Bachelor's degree (e.g., BA, AB, BS)
		Master's, doctoral, or professional school degree (e.g., MA, MS, MEd, MEng, MBA, MSW, PhD, MD, JD, DVM, EdD)

4. Are you Spanish/Hispanic/Latino?

		No, not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino
		Yes, Mexican, Mexican-American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino

4. What is your race? Mark one or more races to indicate what you consider yourself to be.

		American Indian or Alaska Native
		Asian (e.g., Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese)
		Black or African American
		Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (e.g., Samoan, Guamanian, or Chamorro)
		White

In this survey, the definition of “child, children, or other legal dependents” includes anyone in your family, except your spouse, who has, or is eligible to have, a Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card (also called a military ID card) or is eligible for military health care benefits, and is enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

4. Do you or your spouse have a child, children, or other legal dependents based on the definition above?

		Yes
		No

4. [Ask if Q12 = "Yes"] How many children or other dependents do you or your spouse have in each age group? To indicate none, enter “0”. To indicate nine or more, enter “9”.

		0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
	a. Less than 1 year old										
	b. 1 year to under 2 years old										
	c. 2–5 years old										
	d. 6–13 years old										
	e. 14–17 years old										
	f. 18–22 years old										
	g. 23–64 years old										
	h. 65 years old or older										

YOUR SPOUSE'S ACTIVATIONS/​DEPLOYMENTS

In this survey, the definition of “National Guard/​Reserve duties” includes Inactive Duty Training (IDT drills), activations, and deployments.

4. In the past 12 months, how many nights has your spouse been away from home because of National Guard/​Reserve duties? Add up all nights away from home. To indicate none, enter “0”.

Nights

4. Has your spouse been activated (i.e., called to active duty) in the past 24 months? This includes activations that started more than 24 months ago and continued into the past 24 months.

		Yes, my spouse is currently activated
		Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated
		No

4. [Ask if Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated"] Did any of your spouse's activations in the past 24 months result in deployment?

		Yes, my spouse is currently deployed
		Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed
		No

4. How many times has your spouse been deployed for more than 30 consecutive days during your marriage? If your spouse has not been deployed for more than 30 consecutive days during your marriage, enter “0”.

Times

4. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed")] In the past 24 months, how many times has your spouse been away from home for more than 30 consecutive days because of a deployment?

Times

4. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed")] Were you employed at any point during your spouse's most recent activation/deployment?

		Yes
		No

4. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed") AND Q16 = "Yes"] Because of your spouse's most recent activation/deployment, did you have to... Mark “Yes” or “No” for each item.

	No
	Yes
	a. Take time off work?
	b. Reduce the number of hours you worked?
	c. Leave your job?

4. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed")] During your spouse's most recent activation/deployment, did you lose money or have any additional expenses because of the following? Mark one answer for each item.

	Not applicable
	No
	Yes
	a. Loss of my job
	b. Loss of my spouse's health insurance/dental coverage
	c. Increased phone/cell/internet usage bills due to communicating more with family/friends and/or deployed spouse
	d. New or increased need for child care
	e. Home/car repairs/maintenance or yard work
	f. Increased medical expenses
	g. Other

[Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed") AND Q18 g = "Yes"] Please specify the other reason(s) that you have lost money or had additional expenses during your spouse's most recent activation/deployment. Do not include any personally identifiable information (PII) in your comments.

4. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed")] Was your spouse's most recent deployment to a combat zone?

		Yes, deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan
		Yes, deployed to a combat zone other than Iraq or Afghanistan
		No

4. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed")] During your spouse's most recent deployment, to what extent were each of the following a problem for you? Mark one answer for each item.

	Not at all
	Small extent
	Moderate extent
	Large extent
	Very large extent
	a. Home/car repairs/maintenance or yard work
	b. Feelings of anxiety or depression
	c. Loneliness
	d. Managing child care/child schedules
	e. Increase in your stress level
	f. Difficulty sleeping
	g. Maintaining family routines (e.g., meals, sleep, recreation, study time)

4. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed")] How important are each of the following to you in being able to cope with deployment(s)? Mark one answer for each item.

	Not important
	Somewhat important
	Moderately important
	Important
	Very important
	a. My ability to communicate with my spouse
	b. Knowing the expected length of the deployment
	c. Having no changes in the length of deployment
	d. Pre-deployment information
	e. Deployment pay
	f. Temporary reunions with my spouse (R&R time)

4. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed")] Has your spouse returned home from a deployment in the past 24 months?

		Yes
		No

4. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed") AND Q22 = "Yes"] Overall, how well do you think your most recent readjustment is going for... Mark one answer for each item.

	Very poorly
	Poorly
	Neither well nor poorly
	Well
	Very well
	a. You?
	b. Your spouse?

EFFECT OF DEPLOYMENTS ON CHILDREN

4. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed")] During your spouse's most recent deployment, did you have any children under the age of 18 living with you either part-time or full-time?

		Yes, one child
		Yes, more than one child
		No

4. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed") AND (Q24 = "Yes, one child" OR Q24 = "Yes, more than one child")] During your spouse's most recent deployment, were your children generally able to continue participating in normally scheduled activities (e.g., sports, music lessons, clubs)?

		Does not apply
		Yes
		No

[Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed") AND (Q24 = "Yes, one child" OR Q24 = "Yes, more than one child") AND Q25 = "No"] Please specify the reasons why your child has not been able to continue participating in their normally scheduled activities. Do not include any personally identifiable information (PII) in your comments.

ACTIVATION/DEPLOYMENT EXPECTATIONS

4. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13= "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed")] In the past 24 months, has your spouse had... Mark “Yes” or “No” for each item.

	No
	Yes
	a. The length of an activation/deployment extended?
	b. The length of an activation/deployment reduced?
	c. To leave for an activation/deployment sooner than expected?
	d. Less time at home between activations/deployments than expected?
	e. An activation/deployment last longer than you expected?

4. Overall, how prepared are you for future deployments?

		Very well prepared
		Well prepared
		Neither well nor poorly prepared
		Poorly prepared
		Very poorly prepared

4. Have you and/or your spouse taken the following steps to prepare for deployments? Mark one answer for each item.

	Don't know
	No
	Yes
	a. Ensured I have money for rent (or mortgage), food, and living expenses (e.g., set up an allotment, joint accounts)
	b. Developed a financial plan to meet emergencies
	c. Reviewed our finances together (e.g., bills, investments, bank/​credit union accounts)

FEELINGS ABOUT THE NATIONAL GUARD/RESERVE

4. Overall, how satisfied are you with the National Guard/Reserve way of life?

		Very satisfied
		Satisfied
		Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
		Dissatisfied
		Very dissatisfied

4. Do you think your spouse should stay or leave the National Guard/Reserve? Mark one.

		I strongly favor staying
		I somewhat favor staying
		I have no opinion one way or the other
		I somewhat favor leaving
		I strongly favor leaving

4. How has your support for your spouse's decision about staying in the National Guard/Reserve changed in the past year?

		Greatly increased
		Somewhat increased
		Has not changed
		Somewhat decreased
		Greatly decreased

4. Which of the following has had the greatest impact on how you view your spouse's participation in the National Guard/Reserve? Mark one.

		Effect on family life
		Effect on work life (i.e., civilian employment)
		Time spent on National Guard/Reserve duties/activities
		Effect on my spouse's outlook on life
		Image attached to the military
		Income change
		Activations/deployments
		Support programs/resources available to Reserve component members
		Other

[Ask if Q32 = "Other"] Please specify what had the greatest impact on how you view your spouse's participation in the National Guard/Reserve. Do not include any personally identifiable information (PII) in your comments.

4. Compared to what you would expect for an average year, has your spouse spent more or less time away from home because of National Guard/Reserve duties, during the past 12 months?

   		Much more than expected
   		More than expected
   		Neither more nor less than expected
   t		Less than expected
   		Much less than expected

5. What impact has your spouse's time away (or lack thereof) from home in the past 12 months had on your support for your spouse's National Guard/Reserve career?

   		Greatly increased my support
   		Somewhat increased my support
   		Neither increased nor decreased my support
   		Somewhat decreased my support
   		Greatly decreased my support

6. [Ask if (Q12 = "Yes, my spouse is currently activated" OR Q12 = "Yes, my spouse has been activated in the past 24 months but is not currently activated") AND (Q13 = "Yes, my spouse is currently deployed" OR Q13 = "Yes, my spouse has been deployed in the past 24 months but is not currently deployed"] During the past 24 months, has your spouse deployed on a domestic mission to address any of the following? Mark all.

No
Yes
a. Natural disaster
b. U.S. border security
c. Civil/Social unrest in the U.S.
d. COVID-19 response
e. Other

[Ask if Q35 = "Other"] Please specify what other domestic missions your spouse deployed to in the past 24 months. Do not include any personally identifiable information (PII) in your comments.

4. If your spouse's future military participation requires long or frequent activations/deployments, how likely is it that you will support your spouse staying in the National Guard/Reserve (assuming that he/she can stay)?

		Very likely
		Likely
		Neither likely nor unlikely
		Unlikely
		Very unlikely

FOOD SECURITY

These next questions are about the food eaten in your household in the last 12 months, since %%currentmonth%% of last year, and whether you were able to afford the food you need.

FOODSITA FOODSITB

4. The following are statements that people have made about their food situation. How often were each of the following statements true for you and your household in the past 12 months—that is, since the last %%currentmonth%%? Mark one answer for each item.

	60 Don't know
	3 Often true
	2 Sometimes true
	1 Never true
	a. The food that I/we bought just didn't last, and I/we didn't have money to get more.
	b. I/We couldn't afford to eat balanced meals.

CUTMEAL

4. In the past 12 months, since last %%currentmonth%%, did you or other adults in your household ever cut the size of your meals or skip meals because there was not enough money for food?

1		Yes
2		No
3		Don't know

FRQCUT

4. [Ask if Q38 = "Yes"] In the past 12 months, how often did you or other adults in your household cut the size of your meals or skip meals because there was not enough money for food?

1		Almost every month
2		Some months but not every month
3		Only 1 or 2 months
4		Don't know

EATLESS

4. In the past 12 months, did you ever eat less than you felt you should because there was not enough money for food?

1		Yes
2		No
3		Don't know

HUNGRY

4. In the past 12 months, were you ever hungry but did not eat because there was not enough money for food?

1		Yes
2		No
3		Don't know

NOT_ASSIGNED

4. Are you currently receiving support from any of the following nutrition assistance resources? Mark all that apply.

1		SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/ Food Stamps)
2		Women Infant and Children program (WIC)
3		National School Lunch Program (children receive free or reduced meals at school)
4		Some other assistance resource
5		No, I am not using any nutrition assistant resource

WELL-BEING

4. Overall, how would you rate the current level of stress in your personal life?

		Much less than usual
		Less than usual
		About the same as usual
		More than usual
		Much more than usual

4. Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems? Mark one answer for each item

	Nearly every day
	More than half the days
	Several days
	Not at all
	a. Little interest or pleasure in doing things
	b. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
	c. Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge
	d. Not being able to stop or control worrying

4. Compared to 12 months ago, how often do you and your spouse have problems in your personal relationship?

		Much more often
		More often
		About the same
		Less often
		Much less often

4. Taking things altogether, how satisfied are you with your marriage right now?

		Very satisfied
		Satisfied
		Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
		Dissatisfied
		Very dissatisfied

Financial Condition

4. Which of the following best describes the financial condition of you and your spouse?

	Very comfortable and secure
	Able to make ends meet without much difficulty
	Occasionally have some difficulty making ends meet
	Tough to make ends meet but keeping your head above water
	In over your head

4. How well does each statement describe you or your situation? Mark one answer for each item.

5 Completely
4 Very well
3 Somewhat
2 Very little
1 Not at all
a. Because of my money situation, I feel like I will never have the things I want in life.
b. I am just getting by financially.
c. I am concerned that the money I have, or will save, won't last.

4. How often does each of the following statements apply to you? Mark one answer for each item.

	5 Always
	4 Often
	3 Sometimes
	2 Rarely
	1 Never
	a. I have money left over at the end of the month.
	b. My finances control my life.

EMPLOYMENT

4. Are you currently serving in the military? Mark one.

		Yes, on active duty (not a member of the National Guard/Reserve)
		Yes, as a member of the National Guard or Reserve in a full-time active duty program (AGR/FTS/AR)
		Yes, as a traditional National Guard/Reserve member (e.g., drilling unit, IMA, IRR)
		No

4. [Ask if Q50 = "No" or Q50 = "Yes, as a traditional National Guard/Reserve member (e.g., drilling unit, IMA, IRR)" or Q50 = Not answered] Last week, did you do any work for pay or profit? Mark “Yes” even if you worked only one hour, or helped without pay in a family business or farm for 15 hours or more.

		Yes
		No

4. [Ask if (Q50 = "No" or Q50 = "Yes, as a traditional National Guard/Reserve member (e.g., drilling unit, IMA, IRR)" or Q50 = Not answered) AND Q51=“No”] Last week, were you temporarily absent from a job or business?

		Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, labor dispute, etc.
		No

4. [Ask if (Q50 = "No" or Q50 = "Yes, as a traditional National Guard/Reserve member (e.g., drilling unit, IMA, IRR)" or Q50 = Not answered) AND Q51= “No” AND Q52 = “No"] Have you been looking for work during the last four weeks?

		Yes
		No

4. [Ask if (Q50 = "No" OR Q50 = "Yes, as a

traditional National Guard/Reserve member

(e.g., drilling unit, IMA, IRR)" OR Q50 = Not

answered) AND (Q51 = "Yes" OR (Q51 = "No"

AND Q52= "Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, labor dispute, etc."))] On average, how many hours a week do you spend working for pay (including hours worked for a family business or farm)?

Hours

4. [Ask if (Q50 = "No" or Q50 = "Yes, as a traditional National Guard/Reserve member (e.g., drilling unit, IMA, IRR)" or Q50 = Not answered AND (Q51= “No” AND Q52 = "Yes, on vacation, temporary illness, labor dispute, etc.")) AND (Q54 < 35 and Q54>1)] What is your main reason for working part-time (i.e., fewer than 35 hours a week) instead of full-time? Mark one.

		Business is slow
		Could only find part-time work
		Seasonal work
		Want to spend time with children
		Child care problems
		Other family/personal obligations
		Health/medical limitations
		Do not have required license or credential in my occupational field
		I do not want to work full-time
		I am self-employed
		I am a caregiver to my spouse (e.g., wounded warrior)
		I am a caregiver to a family member other than my spouse
		I am attending school or training
		Other

4. [Ask if (Q50 = "No" OR Q50 = "Yes, as a

traditional National Guard/Reserve member

(e.g., drilling unit, IMA, IRR)" OR Q50 = Not

answered) AND (Q51 = "Yes" OR (Q51 = "No"

AND Q52= "Yes, on vacation, temporary

illness, labor dispute, etc."))] Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements. Mark one answer for each item.

	1 Strongly disagree
	2 Disagree
	3 Neither agree nor disagree
	4 Agree
	5 Strongly agree
	a. I am paid less than those with similar credentials
	b. Given my credentials, I should have a higher position at work
	c. I need to find a job that allows me to work more hours
	d. I work in temporary positions, but I would prefer not to
	e. I had to take a job outside of my field
	f. My pay is not enough to live on

HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE MEASURE (HRQOL)

4. Would you say that in general your health is... Mark one.

		Excellent?
		Very good?
		Good?
		Fair?
		Poor?

4. Now thinking about your physical health, which includes physical illness and injury, how many days during the past 30 days was your health not good? To indicate none, enter “0”.

Days

4. Now thinking about your mental health, which includes stress, depression, and problems with emotions, how many days during the past 30 days was your mental health not good? To indicate none, enter “0”.

Days

4. During the past 30 days, approximately how many days did poor physical or mental health keep you from doing your usual activities, such as self-care, work, or recreation? To indicate none, enter “0”.

Days

COMMENTS

COMM1IMP

4. Please share what the military could do to improve support for you and your family. Do not provide any personally identifiable information.

COMMQOL

4. Please describe the top issue(s) impacting the quality of life for you and your family. Do not provide any personally identifiable information.

Comments you make on this questionnaire will help improve military programs. If you answer any items and indicate distress, being upset, etc., you will not be contacted for follow-up purposes. For resources and information, you may contact Military OneSource at www.MilitaryOneSource.mil or by calling 1-800-342-9647. If overseas, call 800-342-9647 (Dial country access code; do not dial “1”).

999. [Ask if Q1 = "Widowed" OR Q1 = "Divorced" OR Q2 = "No"] Based on your answers to the previous questions, you are ineligible to take this survey. If you feel you have encountered this message in error, click the back arrow button and check your answers.

If you have any additional comments or concerns, please enter them below. Do not include any personally identifiable information (PII) in your comments. To submit your answers click Submit. For further help, please call our Survey Processing Center toll-free at 1-800-881-5307, e-mail [email protected], or send a fax to 1-763-268-3002.