Bereaved Military Dependent Spouses and Children: Those Left Behind in a Decade of War (2001–2011)

Family members of U.S. Service members who have died on duty are at risk for debilitating grief; however, little is known about the demographics and composition of these families. This study examined characteristics of surviving military dependents of Service members who died in the first decade following September 11, 2001. Results suggest that certain demographic characteristics of many bereaved spouses and children may put these families at greater risk for debilitating grief.