Do Family Communication Patterns Buffer Children from Difficulties Associated with a Parent's Military Deployment? Examining Deployed and At-Home Parents' Perspectives

Family interaction styles may impact they way that families and family members overcome difficulties. The association between parent reports of family communication and perceptions of child well-being during deployment and reunion was explored among previously-deployed National Guard parents and their spouses or partners. Children in families with National Guard parents who encouraged open communication had fewer overall difficulties and more prosocial behavior compared to children who had less open communication.