Publication year
2012
Citation Title
Impact of military deployment on family relationships.
Journal Name
Journal of Family Studies
Journal Volume
18
Issue Number
1
Page Numbers
17-27
DOI
10.5172/jfs.2012.2003
Summary
The requirements of military service (e.g. training, deployment) can negatively influence military families and children. Survey data were utilized to examine the ways in which length of service and length of deployment predict parenting stress and parenting quality among spouses of Active Duty Airmen. Results indicated that shorter length of service and longer deployments were related to an increase in problems in the relationship between children and parents at home.
Key Findings
Weaker parent-child communication skills were associated with increased levels of parent distress.
In families of Service members with shorter lengths of service, parent distress was higher during deployment.
Families who experienced longer deployments had worse parent-child relationship quality (with regard to the child’s relationship with the spouse).
Spouses of individuals with longer length of service reported less parenting stress.
Implications for Program Leaders
Develop classes or workshops about effective parent-child communication, particularly for individuals who are newer to military service
Offer support groups to spouses pre- and post-deployment
Disseminate information regarding the services and resources available to military families during deployment
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue to support programs that foster effective parent-child communication
Continue to recommend support for spouses and children during and after deployment
Recommend education for community service providers regarding the effect of deployment on the parent-child relationship
Methods
Participants included spouse of a Service member stationed at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia who had school-aged children.
Surveys were voluntary and only offered during non-mandatory military functions during non-duty hours.
Eligible participants completed surveys during monthly meetings or on breaks during volunteer work.
Participants
Participants included 30 White female spouses, with a mean age of 35.4 years (SD = 4.8).
The average number of children in the family was 2.4 (SD = 0.8).
Service member spouses of participants had an average length of service of 14.2 years (SD = 5.5).
Limitations
A small number of participants were included and the sample lacked diversity, which does not allow for generalization to other populations.
Information was provided through self-report; therefore, some individuals may have under-reported certain feelings of stress or misreported other information.
This research was done with a cross-sectional design and so conclusions about causation cannot be made.
Avenues for Future Research
Replicate this study in different populations with larger, more diverse samples
Employ prospective longitudinal methods in order to obtain baseline levels of parenting stress and relationship quality before deployment
Investigate the efficacy of parenting programs for dependent spouses during deployment
Focus
Air Force
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate how an active duty member's increased time away from home (deployments, temporary duty assignments, and trainings) affects family stress as reported by the dependent spouse. Specifically, this research focused on the impact of increased time away from home on the parent-child relationship within the military family. This research analyzed Parenting Relationship Questionnaire (PRQ) and Parenting Stress Index (PSI) scores as reported by the military dependent spouse. Results revealed that extended time away from home can cause the dependent spouse to detach from the parent-child relationship. Mental health professionals and educators working within a community that supports the armed forces must be sensitive to the unique needs of military families during these times of transition.
Abstract Document
PRTW Document
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