Family Communication Across the Military Deployment Experience: Child and Spouse Report of Communication Frequency and Quality and Associated Emotions, Behaviors and Ractions

This study assessed the frequency and quality of communication between National Guard Soldiers, their female spouses (n = 13), and their children (n = 13) before, during, and after deployment. Communication during deployment with siblings was related to positive child outcomes; however, using text messaging to communicate with a deployed parent was related to negative child outcomes.