Publication year
2011
Citation Title
Passport Toward Success: Description and evaluation of a program designed to help children and families reconnect after military deployment.
Journal Name
Journal of Applied Communication Research
Journal Volume
39
Issue Number
3
Page Numbers
223-249
DOI
10.1080/00909882.2011.585399
Summary
Children and adolescents of National Guard members who recently returned from deployment participated in the Passport Towards Success (PTS) program, which teaches youth strategies for effective coping, problem-solving, and emotional expression. Adolescents of deployed parents experienced a range of emotional and behavioral problems. Program participation provided new strategies to effectively communicate, manage negative emotions, and solve problems.
Key Findings
Adolescents reported numerous difficulties associated with a parent's deployment and reunion.
Most adolescent participants reported that they learned new strategies for relaxation, coping, problem-solving, and communication in the program.
Adolescents who reported the most difficulties with a parent's deployment described the most benefit from the PTS program.
Implications for Program Leaders
Provide opportunities for youth to talk with similar-age peers about the challenges of deployment and reunion
Incorporate activities designed to increase family resilience
Disseminate information regarding common behavioral or emotional problems military parents may see throughout the deployment cycle
Implications for Policy Makers
Support the expansion of programs to more communities to help prevent deployment-related negative outcomes for children in military families
Recommend additional evaluation of these programs to target funding toward programs demonstrating superior effectiveness
Continue to provide support for family reintegration programs
Methods
The PTS program was conducted at 10 reintegration events.
Adolescents completed surveys evaluating positive and negative experiences related to a parent's deployment, self-esteem, and a program evaluation measure.
Parents completed surveys evaluating their child's behavioral problems, pro-social behaviors, and family communication.
Participants
One hundred sixty-one children (3-17 years) of Indiana National Guard members who recently returned from deployment participated in this study.
Most analyses were limited to 63 adolescents (9-17 years) who completed surveys, 54% of whom were male.
The average age of participants was 11.6 years.
Limitations
Although the adolescents reported learning new strategies as a benefit of the program, analyses of the only measure included at both pre- and post-assessment (self-esteem) did not demonstrate any significant change.
Data were obtained from only one parent, 40% of whom had been deployed and therefore, may not accurately represent children's behaviors.
The sample is small and homogenous, raising concerns about the generalizability of the findings.
Avenues for Future Research
Include additional pre- and post-test measures to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of the program
Utilize long-term follow up to assess maintenance of gains over time
Develop content specific to the needs of 3-6 year old children and evaluate program effectiveness with this younger sample of military children
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Component
Abstract
This paper evaluates Passport Toward Success (PTS). PTS rotates children whose military parent has recently returned from deployment through three interactive stations, where they practice skills related to coping with stress, problem-solving, and discussing feelings along with similar-age peers. Pre- and post-program measures were gathered at 10 PTS events; researchers observed and rated program fidelity at eight events. Results revealed that many children were experiencing difficulties associated with their parentÕs deployment and reunion, children who reported the most difficulties evaluated PTS programming most favorably, and problems occurred with fidelity of program implementation for the youngest children. Discussion centers on implications of these findings for ÔÔPhase 2ÕÕ of PTS and for understanding how communication skills can promote resiliency for coping with repeated military deployments.
Abstract Document
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