When a Parent Goes Off to War: Exploring the Issues Faced by Adolescents and Their Families

11 focus groups were conducted with a total of 98 participants (adolescents, parents, and school personnel) regarding the impact of parental deployment on adolescent children of military families. Adolescents reported increased anxiety and stress, as well as shifts in family roles and relationships. Families reported a variety of coping strategies for both the deployment and post-deployment periods.