Parental Deployment, Adolescent Academic and Social–Behavioral Maladjustment, and Parental Psychological Well-being in Military Families

Abstract

Objective: Increases in the frequency and length of military deployments have raised concerns about the well-being of military families. We examined the relationship between a military parent's deployment and (1) adolescent academic and socialbehavioral maladjustment and (2) parental psychological well-being. Methods: We collected data from April 2013 through January 2014 from 1021 families of enlisted US Army personnel with children aged 12 or 13 during the Military Teenagers' Environments, Exercise, and Nutrition Study. Through online parent surveys, we collected data on deployment, adolescent academic and social-behavioral maladjustment, and parental psychological well-being. We estimated adjusted logistic and linear regression models for adolescents (all, boys, girls), military parents (all, fathers, mothers), and civilian parents. Results: Compared with no or short deployments, long deployments (>180 days in the past 3 years) were associated with significantly higher odds of decreases in adolescent academic performance (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] ¼ 1.54), independence (AOR ¼ 2.04), and being responsible (AOR ¼ 1.95). These associations were also significant for boys but not for girls. Among parents, long deployments were associated with significantly higher odds of being depressed (AOR ¼ 2.58), even when controlling for adolescent maladjustment (AOR ¼ 2.54). These associations did not differ significantly between military and civilian parents and were significant for military fathers but not military mothers. Recent deployment (in the past 12 months) was not associated with either adolescent or parent outcomes.Conclusion: Long deployments are associated with adolescents' academic and social-behavioral maladjustments and diminished parental well-being, especially among boys and military fathers.

The impact of deployment and traumatic brain injury on the health and behavior of children of US military service members and veterans

“…Consistent with the literature (Aranda et al, 2011; Barnes, Davis, & Treiber, 2007; Chandra, Lara-Cinisomo et al, 2010; Chandra, Martin et al, 2010; Chartrand et al, 2008; Flake et al, 2009; Huebner et al, 2007; Lester et al, 2010; Nicosia et al, 2017), this study found that deployment to a combat zone impacted the health and behavior of the SMV’s children, though a decline in each of the five health and behavior domains was only reported for a minority of the sample. A very small minority of the caregivers reported improvement in their children’s health and behavior.…”

“…For some families, deployment and reintegration can be a period for growth, adaptability, and resilience (Chandra, Martin, Hawkins, & Richardson, 2010; Cozza, Chun, & Polo, 2005; Wadsworth et al, 2016), but for others, it can be a source of significant stress (Cozza et al, 2005; Flake, Davis, Johnson, & Middleton, 2009; Gibbs, Martin, Kupper, & Johnson, 2007; Lester et al, 2010). The negative impact of parental deployment during the post-9/11 combat period on emotional, behavioral, physical, and educational outcomes among children in military families is well documented (Aranda, Middleton, Flake, & Davis, 2011; Chandra, Burns, Tanielian, & Jaycox, 2011; Chandra, Martin et al, 2010; Chartrand, Frank, White, & Shope, 2008; Flake et al, 2009; Huebner, Mancini, Wilcox, Grass, & Grass, 2007; Lester et al, 2010; Nicosia, Wong, Shier, Massachi, & Datar, 2017).…”

Factors related to perceived burden among caregivers of service members/veterans following TBI.

“…The relation between high caregiving burden and parenting one or more child under 18 years is of particular concern for many military families long-term. The impact of post-9/11 combat deployments, TBI, combat injuries, and caregiving on children and families is well documented (Brickell, French, Lippa, & Lange, 2017; Chandra, Burns, Tanielian, & Jaycox, 2011; Flake, Davis, Johnson, & Middleton, 2009; Huebner, Mancini, Wilcox, Grass, & Grass, 2007; Lester et al, 2010; Nicosia, Wong, Shier, Massachi, & Datar, 2017; Wadsworth et al, 2016). Because of the demands of caring for the SMV, the children often receive less time and attention from the caregiver and many also take on caregiving duties resulting in no personal time for themselves (Ramchand et al, 2014; Saban, Hogan, Hogan, & Pape, 2015; Tanielian, Ramchand, Fisher, Sims, & Harris, 2013).…”

Counseling Military Populations: A Content Analysis of Counseling Journals From 1998 to 2018

“…For example, familial relationships are an identified concern reported from military personnel; 44% of post-9/11 veterans worried that deployment affected their relationship with their children (Pew Research Center, 2011). Such relationship concerns are not necessarily the academic and behavioral concerns psychology, psychiatry, and counseling researchers have explored (Nicosia et al, 2017). Within counseling research, there is a need to incorporate perspectives of military parents and children, rather than relying on school counselors as participants.…”