The Impact of Deployment and Traumatic Brain Injury on the Health and Behavior of Children of US Military Service Members and Veterans

This study examined the impact of service member/veteran (SMV) combat deployment and traumatic
brain injury (TBI) on the health and behavior of his or her children. Participants were 104 female
spouse caregivers of US SMVs who had sustained a mild, severe, or penetrating TBI. Participants
completed the Children’s Health and Behavior Questionnaire (CHBQ; r=.758 to .881) that evaluates
school grades, behavior, medical health, emotional health, and social participation: (a) prior to the
first combat deployment, (b) in the month prior to the TBI, (c) within 2years after the TBI, and (d)
2 or more years after the TBI. A substantial number of children experienced a decline in health and
behavior following the TBI (41.7%–79.1%). Of those who declined (a) 68.8%–75.5% declined within
the first 2years post-injury, followed by improvement or stabilization; (b) 6.7%–15.6% declined only
after 2 or more years post-injury; (c) 15.6%–25.0% declined within the first 2years post-injury and
then again 2 or more years post-injury; and (d) 16.9%–26.5% experienced a decline as a result of
deployment, followed by an additional decline after the SMV’s TBI. Services are required for children
of SMVs following TBI and deployment, particularly children at risk for poor outcome.