Fostering Resilience in National Guard and Reserve Families: A Contextual Adaptation of an Evidence-Based Parenting Program

Military deployment of a parent is a risk factor for children’s internalizing and externalizing
problems. This risk may be heightened in National Guard and Reserve (NG/R) families who tend
to be isolated from other NG/R families and do not benefit from the centralized support system
available to active duty families living on military bases. Isolation and trauma-related disorders
may complicate the adjustment of military families during reintegration. An evidence-based
parent training intervention was modified to meet the unique needs of recently deployed NG/R
parents and their spouses, and the modified program was evaluated in a randomized controlled
trial. The current study examines engagement and satisfaction with the program. Modifications
such as employment of military-connected facilitators sought to maximize engagement in and
satisfaction with the program. Engagement and satisfaction were examined between mothers and
fathers, as well as between groups led by a military-connected facilitator and those led by civilian
facilitators. Significantly greater engagement was noted for groups that were led by a military-connected
facilitator (p = .01). There were no differences between genders in attendance rates,
though greater positive group experiences were reported by mothers versus fathers (p = .01).
Results are discussed in the context of engagement and satisfaction reported for similar programs.
Implications for working with military families are also considered.