Impact of Military Deployment on the Development and Behavior of Children

Many US military families have faced separations of at least 1 family member for extended periods of time. This article shows how changes in military culture have increased the repercussions for military families, and especially for military-connected children. This article provides an introduction to aspects of military culture that are most applicable to children, an overview of important aspects of childhood development, a discussion of the impact of deployment on the emotional development and behavior of children left at home and their caregivers, and a review of some interventions and resources available to help these families navigate these challenges.