Promoting Coping for Children of Hospitalized Service Members With Combat Injuries Through Creative Arts Engagement

Children of Service members who have been wounded in combat face many unique experiences that can be stressful and frightening. This study explores the ways in which a program focused on creative arts engagement helped children negotiate those experiences. Findings indicated that the program supported children through an increase in positive visits with the injured parent, and through opportunities for self-expression, distraction and respite, parental engagement, normalization, and empowerment.