Publication year
2011
Citation Title
Emotional distress and health risk behaviors of mothers of United States Marines.
Journal Name
International Nursing Review
Journal Volume
58
Issue Number
2
Page Numbers
164-170
DOI
10.111/j.1466-7657.2010.00860.x
Summary
While ample research has examined the effects of deployment on Service members and their spouses and children, few studies have examined the experiences of Service members' parents. The health behaviors and psychological distress of mothers of deployed male Marines were compared to mothers of non-deployed Marines. Mothers of deployed Marines had higher psychological distress, but not more negative health behaviors, than mothers of non-deployed Marines.
Key Findings
Mothers of deployed Marines reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress compared to those whose sons were not deployed.
The average level of psychological distress among mothers of both deployed and non-deployed Marines was high, indicative of difficulties with anxiety and depression.
Mothers of deployed and non-deployed Marines did not significantly differ in their health risk behaviors; however, rates of obesity were slightly higher among Marine mothers than the general female population.
Implications for Program Leaders
Offer support groups for deployed Service members’ parents
Educate parents of Service members about the risk for psychological distress when their children serve in the military or are deployed and effective strategies to manage that distress
Offer exercise-based activities for family members of deployed Service members to support healthy body weight and overall well-being
Implications for Policy Makers
Recommend that deployment readiness and reintegration programs include specific information for parents of Service members
Encourage the development of programs to support the mental and physical health of Service members' parents
Promote education of professionals (e.g., mental health providers, medical providers, social services staff) regarding the possible emotional, psychological, and physical effects of deployment on parents of Service members
Methods
Mothers of male Marines were recruited from the MarinesParents.com website and newsletter to participate in a web-based survey between July and September 2007.
Participants completed questionnaires about demographic information, psychological distress, and health behaviors (e.g., height, weight, smoking, drinking, exercise).
Psychological distress and health behaviors were compared between mothers of deployed and non-deployed sons in the Marines.
Participants
The sample included 1,370 mothers (M = 49 years of age) of male Marines (55% deployed).
Mothers were primarily White (93%), followed by Latino (4%), Native American (1%), Black (1%), Asian American (1%), and a different race/ethnicity (1%).
Most mothers had completed either high school (26%), 1-3 years of college (42%), or 4 or more years of college (30%).
Limitations
Mothers experiencing higher levels of distress may have been more inclined to use the website or to agree to participate in the study.
The sample was primarily White and composed only of mothers of male Marines, so results may not generalize to other military branches or more diverse samples.
Unmeasured variables regarding previous deployments and mothers' baseline mental and physical health concerns may have impacted results.
Mothers of deployed and non-deployed Marines were compared to national statistics rather than a matched civilian sample.
Avenues for Future Research
Examine the experience of fathers of deployed Service members and how it may be similar or different from mothers' experience
Include measures of Service members’ perceptions of their parents’ distress and well-being and compare parent and Service member report
Explore the experience of parents of female Service members, both deployed and non-deployed
Focus
Marines
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
Aim: The aim was to explore emotional distress and health risk behaviours of mothers of servicemen. The study was inspired by the first author's clinical practice in primary care among women who reported significant emotional distress surrounding impending deployment of their sons. Background: Thousands of US service members have been deployed in the current wars. The potentially profound effects of deployment on emotional distress of military spouses and children have been documented; however, mothers of servicemen have not been studied. Methods: This was an exploratory descriptive study to determine self-reported levels of emotional distress and health risk behaviours in the mothers of deployed male US Marines compared with mothers of male Marines not currently deployed. Mothers were accessed via a voluntary online support organization. Results: Mothers of deployed sons reported significantly higher levels of emotional distress and more health risk behaviours compared with mothers of sons not deployed. Many of the mothers in both groups reported high levels of emotional distress. Discussion: As primary care providers, nurses should be alert to the high levels of emotional distress and health risk behaviours among all patients. This exploratory study highlights these dimensions in mothers of servicemen. Conclusions: This study is the first of mothers of sons serving in the military. While the focus is on mothers of sons serving in the US military, their experience is likely not unique. Mothers of military service members all over the world send their children off to war and wait for their safe return.
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