Introduction: Single-parent military families experience a combination of single-parenthood stressors and military life–related stressors, including work–family conflict and parental strain. Previous research has suggested that ineffective coping strategies in relation to maintaining work–family balance and dealing with parental strain may contribute to psychological distress among single military mothers. Methods: To address the research limitations, an electronic survey was administered to single Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) mothers in 2014. This study examined the role of work–family conflict, parental strain, and coping in the well-being of CAF single mothers ( N = 223). We expected that work–family conflict, parental strain, and coping strategies would play an important role in the well-being of single CAF mothers and that coping strategies would also moderate the path between single-parenthood difficulties (work–family conflict and parental strain) and psychological well-being. Results: Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that work–family conflict and parental strain have strong negative impacts on the well-being of single CAF mothers. Although coping strategies serve as important and unique predictors of well-being, they do not buffer the impact of military life–related stress on single mothers. Discussion: Recommendations for mitigating the impact of work–family conflict and parental strain for single mothers in the CAF are offered.

Introduction: For some Canadian Armed Forces Veterans who are released, the military-to-civilian transition (MCT) process may be complicated by signifi cant mental health problems (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety). Family members (i.e., spouses, adult children, parents) who serve as the primary caregivers for Veterans with mental health problems devote signifi cant energy to seeking and fi nding social support as they navigate the MCT. Th e primary purposes of this qualitative study were to 1) hear from these family members and learn about the obstacles to and successes in accessing formal and informal social supports during the MCT and 2) understand how accessing such supports was aff ected by the Veteran's mental health problems. Methods: A sequential, multiple qualitative design was used, involving both in-depth individual interviews and focus groups with English-and French-speaking family members (N = 36) living in Eastern, Central, and Western Canada (i.e., individual, n = 27; focus groups, n = 9). Data coding was facilitated through the qualitative data analysis soft ware MAXQDA, and data analysis was conducted using grounded theory strategies. Results: Amid numerous indicators of signifi cant resolve and commitment to health, family members revealed signifi cant issues (e.g., mental health stigma of the Veteran, caregiver burden and burnout) that contributed to notable barriers in accessing both informal (i.e., extended family, friends, online support groups) and formal (i.e., Operational Stress Injury Social Support, Military Family Resource Centres) support systems helpful in navigating the MCT. Discussion: Results are discussed in the context of how the Veteran's mental health compounded barriers for family members who sought to access informal and formal support services that would provide comfort, fi nancial aid, respite, and counsel to the Veteran family in the MCT. Building on the resilience of military-connected families, gaps in the systems of formal and informal care are discussed in the context of how bold and creative changes (e.g., proactive signposting) might facilitate the MCT for Veterans with mental health problems.

Introduction: American research suggests that stressors associated with growing up in a military family, including geographic mobility, may affect the academic performance and school participation of military-connected children. Students requiring special education may be particularly vulnerable to impacts. Because this issue has not been explored in a Canadian context, the objective of this study was to explore the experience of geographic mobility for Canadian military families and their children’s access to special education services. Methods: Informed by interpretive phenomenological analysis, nine female parents of children with special education needs growing up in Canadian military families were interviewed. Results: Three superordinate themes emerged: Transitioning to new special education systems and services takes an emotional toll on families; active and persistent advocacy and communication strategies to access services are critical; and families struggle to balance securing special education services with career implications. Discussion: Given the common experience of high mobility among military families, future studies should explore different perspectives of the transition experience and barriers to access, including those of educators, school administrators, and active Canadian Armed Forces members.