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Our nation’s military fathers and their families face an unprecedented context. Between 2001 and 2008, there was a ten-fold increase in the number of Department of Defense troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan (Belasco, 2009). In 2008 the Parents as Teachers National Center chose SAY--San Diego’s Healthy Start Military Family Resource Center--for its innovation in collaborating with the military to form Dads On Duty, a program uniquely tailored to young military dads with kids ages birth to 5. To date more than 150 fathers have completed Dads on Duty, which uses evidence-based practices…
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Journal Article In the families of the new cohort of war veterans now entering the civilian population in the United States are over two million young children (Cozza, Haskins & Lerner, 2013; Institute of Medicine, 2013). Several noteworthy studies have shown that children exposed to separation from a parent due to combat-related deployment are at elevated risk for a variety of negative consequences (Lester & Flake, 2013). Cozza et al. (2013) argue that existing studies of military children focus too much on the stresses or deficits they experience, failing to give sufficient attention to their…
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Journal Article In the families of the new cohort of war veterans now entering the civilian population in the United States are over two million young children (Cozza,Haskins & Lerner, 2013; Institute of Medicine, 2013). Several noteworthy studies have shown that children exposed to separation from a parent due to combat-related deployment are at elevated risk for a variety of negative consequences (Lester & Flake, 2013). Cozza et al. (2013) argue that existing studies of military children focus too much on the stresses or deficits they experience, failing to give sufficient attention to their…
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Doing double duty as a father and a deployed service member requires focus and commitment. But the effort you put into remaining a vital presence in your child's life will strengthen your relationship and give both of you greater peace of mind. In this online recording, fatherhood expert and former Marine Armin Brott talks about ways to stay close with your child from before you deploy to after you return. (Author abstract modified)
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Journal Article US military deployments have become more frequent and lengthier in duration since 2003. Over half of US military members are married, and many also have children. The authors sought to understand the process of deployment from the perspective of the military family. After a thorough search of the literature, 21 primary research reports of 19 studies with an aggregate sample of 874 were analyzed using qualitative metasynthesis. The deployment process was experienced in four temporal domains. The military family as a whole shared the pre-deployment transition: all family members felt uncertain…
Fact Sheet, Brief
Reports the results of a longitudinal study of youth from military families and their caregivers concerning their emotional well-being and how well they are coping with servicemembers' extended deployments. (Author abstract)
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This newsletter describes the challenges faced by military families when a parent is deployed, characteristics of military families, and children's adjustment in military families. Research findings are cited that indicate children in military families generally fare as well or better than their civilian counterparts, are adaptive and resilient, and cope effectively. The cycle of deployment in the military is examined, as well as family tasks and stressors at each stage. The stages include pre-deployment, deployment, sustainment, reunion, and post-deployment. Differences between peace-time…
Retreats allow couples to spend time together and have fun away from the structure and constraints of formal military life. Such retreats allow the couple to learn and practice relationship skills without distractions and in a more intimate setting. Additionally, retreats often provide coaching specific to the needs of each couple, which can be very beneficial to military couples experiencing unique challenges. This Tip Sheet will provide civilian community-based organizations some suggestions about providing MRE retreats to military couples. (Author abstract)
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A variety of MRE programs are offered in communities and by the military/Guard. Connecting theGuard (through Chaplains and family support programs) to community-based MRE services can provide needed supports to Guard families coping with stressors related to deployment, employment, and lack of connection to other Guard families in their community. This paper summarizes the key challenges and stressors the Guard members' families face and identifies emerging programs, promising practices, and existing resources to support the specific needs of National Guard couples and single parents. (Author…
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Journal Article Department of Defense (DoD) surveys were examined to develop a demographic profile of military families affected by divorce and remarriage. It appears that a substantial portion of military personnelhave experienced divorce, are in remarriages, and have nonresidential children, particularly given the young average age of military personnel. Compared to the U.S. population, service members marry, divorce, and remarry earlier. Divorced and remarried service members are slightly over-represented among the enlisted ranks, joint service couples, and lower education categories. Notably, the…
