Adolescents in Wartime US Military Families: A Developmental Perspective on Challenges and Resources

Abstract

Adolescents in wartime U.S. military families are a unique group of young people who are experiencing the usual milestones of adolescent development, including establishing their identities and becoming autonomous, while they face the challenges of military life such as multiple frequent moves, relocation and parent deployment to combat settings. This paper reviews research on adolescents in wartime U.S. military families, within the context of adolescent development, to identify their behavioral, emotional and academic risk status, and challenges and resources. Recommendations for future research and interventions to foster the healthy development of these adolescents are also provided.

How does social support enhance resilience in the trauma-exposed individual?

“…Like resilience at the level of the individual, family resilience has developmental points and transitions related to the life course of the family members, pointing again to the importance of type and timing of social support. For example, the supports needed by military families are contingent upon the stages of separation and reunification, i.e., deployments and postdeployment periods (see Masten 2013), as well as the developmental stages of children in the family (see Paley et al 2013, Milburn andLightfoot 2013). Military service members are also embedded in other contexts including military units, hierarchical structures, and branches, making military families exemplars of these intersecting systems toward which interventions may be targeted.…”

The Impact of Parental Operational Stress Injury on Child Mental Health and Well-Being: A Scoping Review

“…Canadian military and veteran families access the same health care system as their civilian counterparts (Sullivan, 2014), while the majority of children use off-base health care facilities, as 85% of Canadian Armed Forces families lives off base (Military Family Services, n.d.). As a result, professional groups have limited experience with military, veteran, and family health issues and need access to evidence-based professional development created through civilian and military collaboration (Campbell et al, 2011;Cozza, 2011;Danish & Antonides, 2013;Guzman, 2014;Johnson & Ling, 2013;Kudler & Porter, 2013;Lester & Flake, 2013;Milburn & Lightfoot, 2013), which includes awareness of military culture and structures (Campbell et al, 2011;Cozza, Haskins, et al, 2013;Kudler & Porter, 2013;Lemmon & Stafford, 2014;Ray & Heaslip, 2011;Seamone, 2012). It is recommended that awareness of military service connected to the family be part of clinical assessment for all patients/clients and that the unique vulnerabilities and requirements be recognized (Cozza, 2011).…”

“…Such technologies may also create opportunities for the families of reservists to access prevention, support, and intervention services (Cozza, Haskins, et al, 2013;Guzman, 2014), as "military life extends beyond military installations" (Cozza, Haskins, et al, 2013, p. 9). The use of social media can create opportunities for connection within and across family units (Milburn & Lightfoot, 2013).…”

Associations Between Parental Deployment, Relocation, and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among a Clinic-Based Sample of Military-Dependent Youth

“…Unlike civilian youth, MDY must cope with unique military stressors, such as parental deployment and multiple relocations, in addition to adjusting to the physical, cognitive, and emotional changes that occur during adolescence (Astor, De Pedro, Gilreath, Esqueda, Benbenishty, 2013;Maholmes, 2012;Milburn & Lightfoot, 2013). For example, as MDY transition from concrete to abstract thought during their cognitive development, they become more attuned to their social surroundings and become aware of the consequences of having a parent in the military and the dangers of a deployment to a war zone (Milburn & Lightfoot, 2013).…”

“…For example, as MDY transition from concrete to abstract thought during their cognitive development, they become more attuned to their social surroundings and become aware of the consequences of having a parent in the military and the dangers of a deployment to a war zone (Milburn & Lightfoot, 2013). In addition, if a relocation occurs, MDY must adapt to a new school environment and peers while they struggle to establish their own identity and self-concept as part of their emotional development Milburn & Lightfoot, 2013). The impact of military stressors on health outcomes among MDY is unclear.…”