In this episode, I overview a research article about how police work creates unique stressors in marital relationships. Karaffa et al. 2015 conducted a research study wherein they administered a needs assessment (a questionnaire asking LEOs and their spouses about the kinds of difficulties they faced in their marriage) to 82 officers and 89 officer spouses. The average age of the officer completing the survey was 39. The average number of years the LEOs and their spouses were married was 1-5 years when they took the survey. The results showed LEOs and their spouses agreed upon the kind of stressors they faced and the kind of support they sought out. The researchers found that while spouses were proud to be married to their LEOs, concerns still existed about finances, work-family conflict, and law enforcement-specific stressors, such as negative attitudes toward police. Both officers and their spouses relied heavily on support from their family and friends (including other police families) than professional support. I also give my fav tips on increasing communication in your relationship with your LEO.