Child Maltreatment Among U.S. Air Force Parents Deployed in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom

Increased stress, including during deployment, may put parents at greater risk for perpetrating child maltreatment. Rates of child maltreatment, as well as type and severity of maltreatment, were compared pre- and post-deployment among Active Duty U.S. Air Force parents. No significant differences were found between overall rates of child maltreatment pre- and post-deployment; however, rates of moderate and severe maltreatment and incidents involving alcohol and child injury were greater post-deployment.