Publication year
2010
Citation Title
The relationship of perceptions of invincibility, demographics, and risk behaviors in adolescents of military parents.
Journal Name
Journal of Pediatric Health Care
Journal Volume
24
Issue Number
1
Page Numbers
25-33
DOI
10.1016/j.pedhc.2008.11.005
Summary
Adolescent children of military parents completed self-report questionnaires about their self-perception of invincibility (illusion of invulnerability) and level of risk-taking behaviors. Findings indicate a positive correlation between perceived invincibility and risk-taking; high invincibility scores were associated with high levels of aggressive and delinquent behaviors.
Key Findings
Thirty percent of military youth reported engaging in risky sexual behavior (e.g., sex without a condom), and 23% reported having had suicidal ideation in the past year.
Military youth with high invincibility scores were significantly likely to also engage in high levels of aggressive and delinquent behaviors.
Invincibility scores were highest among 16-19 year olds and 18-19 year olds; scores were lowest among 20-year-olds.
Implications for Program Leaders
Develop services designed to meet the needs of military youth with high levels of perceived invincibility
Expand and modified services to include youth up to 20-years of age
Offer support groups for military connected youth struggling with mental health issues, including suicidal ideation
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue to support improved mental health screening services for military youth
Recommend the development and continuation of programs that offer extracurricular activities for military youth as a preventative measure to buffer against potential high risk-taking behaviors and suicidal ideation
Encourage the training of professionals to better identify military youth who are engaging in high-risk behaviors or struggling with mental health issues
Methods
Adolescents were recruited from a military medical facility that provided outpatient care.
Participants were invited to participate via a letter given during check-in for their clinic appointment; participants who indicated interests were then approached by researchers who provide study information and answer questions.
Teens and parents had to agree to participation; survey packets were completed during the appointment.
Participants
One hundred twenty-five adolescents (age range 14-20) completed questionnaires.
Most participants were female (62%), White (60%), and fell within the 16-17 year age range (36%), followed by 18-19 years (35%), 14-15 years (25%), and 20 year olds (4%).
The majority reported having a parent on Active Duty (74%) who was enlisted (41%); service branch was not provided.
Limitations
Due to the convenience sample used, the participants may not be representative of the broader military child population.
Many of the results presented did not reach the statistical threshold of significance, limiting interpretability.
Due to the study design, it is not possible to determine causality between the variables studied.
Avenues for Future Research
Utilize a longitudinal design that allow for causality to be tested
Aim for a more representative sample of military youth, and could include non-military youth for comparison purposes
Explore whether adolescent invincibility scores vary based on parents' branch of service
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to determine relationships among perceived invincibility, demographic variables, and risk behaviors in adolescents of active duty and retired military personnel. An instrument titled the Adolescent Invincibility Tool (AIT) was constructed and administered to a group of 125 adolescents of military parents. Correlation statistics were analyzed to determine variable relationships. The AIT demonstrated reliability (Cronbach's ? .88) in measuring invincibility in this sample. Participant characteristics and demographics were examined and revealed age, sex, ethnicity, and relocation frequency differences in relationship to the teen's level of perceived invincibility. Family relocation frequency and parent ranking/rating were significant variables for a military population. A significant positive relationship was identified between aggressive, delinquent behavior and invincibility; a negative correlation was demonstrated between worry and invincibility. This study provided an opportunity to learn about unique influences related to being the teen of an active duty or retired military parent(s). Study findings indicate significant differences between military teens and national surveys in regard to risk taking and mental health indicators. Risk behaviors were found to occur at a lower frequency than the nationwide average, while depression occurred more frequently in this sample of military adolescents. Variations among teens of military parents in invincibility and worry scores provide direction for further study.
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