Paternal alcohol misuse in UK military families: A cross-sectional study of child emotional and behavioural problems

Mahar, Alyson; Rowe, Sarah; Pernet, David; Wickersham, Alice; Aiken, Alice; Wessely, Simon; Fear, Nicola T.

doi:10.3138/jmvfh-2019-0061

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 52 publications

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“…45 Studies within populations of children and youth connected to military families in the United States and United Kingdom have documented worse mental health for those with a parent who is currently or recently deployed, experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or misusing alcohol, and following geographical relocations. 11,24,[46][47][48] Depending on the context and composition of the family, these stressors may have differing intensities of impact on youth mental health. 45 They may compound or interact for a family over time during the trajectory of the parent's military career, over the life course of the family and around key milestones such as parental deployment or geographical relocations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A cross-sectional study of mental health and well-being among youth in military-connected families

Mahar

Cramm

King

et al. 2023

Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can

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Introduction The study objective was to compare the mental health and risk-taking behaviour of Canadian youth in military-connected families to those not in military-connected families in a contemporary sample. We hypothesized that youth in military-connected families have worse mental health, lower life satisfaction and greater engagement in risk-taking behaviours than those not in military-connected families. Methods This cross-sectional study used 2017/18 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children in Canada survey data, a representative sample of youth attending Grades 6 to 10. Questionnaires collected information on parental service and six indicators of mental health, life satisfaction and risk-taking behaviour. Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust error variance were implemented, applying survey weights and accounting for clustering by school. Results This sample included 16 737 students; 9.5% reported that a parent and/or guardian served in the Canadian military. After adjusting for grade, sex and family affluence, youth with a family connection to the military were 28% more likely to report low well-being (95% CI: 1.17–1.40), 32% more likely to report persistent feelings of hopelessness (1.22–1.43), 22% more likely to report emotional problems (1.13–1.32), 42% more likely to report low life satisfaction (1.27–1.59) and 37% more likely to report frequent engagement in overt risk-taking (1.21–1.55). Conclusion Youth in military-connected families reported worse mental health and more risk-taking behaviours than youth not in military-connected families. The results suggest a need for additional mental health and well-being supports for youth in Canadian military-connected families and longitudinal research to understand underlying determinants that contribute to these differences.

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