Publication year
2014
Citation Title
Fathering after military deployment: Parenting challenges and goals of fathers of young children.
Journal Name
Health & Social Work
Journal Volume
39
Issue Number
1
Page Numbers
35-44
DOI
10.1093/hsw/hlu005
Summary
The parenting experiences of military fathers of young children, ages one to seven, during reintegration were examined. Fathers articulated both motivations to be a better parent, as well as challenges related to reintegrating into family life. For those fathers who also had posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), parenting young children presented unique challenges related to triggering symptoms.
Key Findings
Two primary themes emerged from Service members’ interviews about fathering after deployment: (a) they have motivation to re-engage in their children’s lives, and (b) they face challenges related to their parenting efforts.
Fathers described the challenges related to parenting young children as issues regarding reconnecting, feeling guilty or remorseful for missing developmental milestones, and readjusting to the “father” and “co-parent” roles.
Fathers expressed motivation to improve their parenting in the areas of using positive parenting skills, expressing affection, managing their temper and stress, and connecting with other fathers.
PTSD was uniquely associated with parenting stress, especially caring for young children; for instance, young children’s crying may act as a trigger of PTSD symptoms.
Implications for Program Leaders
Educate Veterans with PTSD about specific strategies for parenting young children and possible child-rearing-related PTSD triggers
Offer support groups for Service members and families that discuss unique parenting challenges faced during reunification and encourage military parents and couples to support one another during reintegration
Provide Veterans who are struggling with parenting guilt, stress, and role readjustment post-deployment with referrals to mental health providers and support groups
Implications for Policy Makers
Recommend flexible schedules for recently deployed Service members to allow parents to attend important events and spend quality time with their children to foster reconnection
Support the development and implementation of age-specific parenting curriculum for Service member parents who are reintegrating into their families after deployment
Encourage education of professionals working with military families regarding the difficulties parents may face during reintegration
Methods
Participants were selected from the larger STRONG (Support to Restore, Repair, Nurture, and Grow) Military Families study.
Participants completed in-home interviews about experiences with parenting after returning from deployment and questionnaires about demographic information and mental health.
Interview answers were analyzed for parenting and reintegration themes, and associations between Service member mental health and parenting or reintegration issues were examined.
Participants
Participants were 14 Service member fathers, ages 22-40 years, who had been deployed within the past two years and had at least one young child (i.e., under age seven).
The sample was predominantly White (83%), followed by Latino (8%), or another race/ethnicity (8%).
Most Service members were married (75%), and some were engaged (17%) or divorced (8%); the majority had either one (33%) or two (42%) children, while one Service member each had three, four, and five children.
Limitations
The small number of participants limits generalizability of findings.
Only fathers were assessed, not allowing for an examination of gender differences between military mothers and military fathers.
Other unmeasured variables (e.g., number of parent deployments, pre-deployment mental health) may have influenced the findings.
Avenues for Future Research
Examine parenting during reintegration among both military mothers and fathers of young children to learn about their experiences and any differences between genders
Conduct a similar study with a larger, more diverse sample of participants, including more racial/ethnic diversity and Service members from all branches of the military
Explore how child age may impact the experience of reintegrating parents and whether reintegration issues differ for parents of preschool children, gradeschool children, and adolescents
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
Although often eagerly anticipated, reunification after deployment poses challenges for families, including adjusting to the parent–soldier’s return, re-establishing roles and routines, and the potentially necessary accommodation to combat-related injuries or psychological effects. Fourteen male service members, previously deployed to a combat zone, parent to at least one child under seven years of age, were interviewed about their relationships with their young children. Principles of grounded theory guided data analysis to identify key themes related to parenting young children after deployment. Participants reported significant levels of parenting stress and identified specific challenges, including difficulty reconnecting with children, adapting expectations from military to family life, and coparenting. Fathers acknowledged regret about missing an important period in their child’s development and indicated a strong desire to improve their parenting skills. They described a need for support in expressing emotions, nurturing, and managing their tempers. Results affirm the need for support to military families during reintegration and demonstrate that military fathers are receptive to opportunities to engage in parenting interventions. Helping fathers understand their children’s behavior in the context of age-typical responses to separation and reunion may help them to renew parent–child relationships and reengage in optimal parenting of their young children.
Abstract Document
PRTW Document
Attach