Mindfulness–Resilience Framework for Military Families and Aviation Professionals: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Background: High-risk professions such as military service and aviation impose chronic stress and role strain on individuals and their families. Research has historically siloed these domains: military family studies have focused on social determinants of health, and aviation psychology on individual cognition. This integrative review bridges that gap by applying a cross-domain mindfulness–resilience framework.
Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science (2000–2024) was conducted using keywords including "military spouses," "aviation psychology," "mindfulness," and "resilience." Of 1,250 identified records, 78 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria for thematic synthesis.
Results: Mindfulness (attention regulation, emotional control) and resilience (adaptive response to adversity) function as synergistic, reciprocal resources that mitigate stressors shared across domains, such as unpredictability, isolation, and high cognitive load. A cross-domain model is presented that illustrates how these constructs mediate the stress–response cycle across occupational and family systems.
Conclusion: Mindfulness and resilience are not merely individual traits but relational processes that can be cultivated through integrated interventions. Incorporating them into military family support programs and aviation training pipelines (e.g., Crew Resource Management) can enhance well-being, operational readiness, and safety. Future research must address the current reliance on cross-sectional data through longitudinal, ecologically valid, and cross-cultural studies that can inform evidence-based policy.