Parents

Background: U.S. military service members die from a variety of causes (i.e., accidents, combat,
illnesses, homicide, suicide, and terrorism) while on duty and in greater numbers during times of war, leaving behind

Family members of U.S. Service members who have died on duty are at risk for debilitating grief; however, little is known about the demographics and composition of these families.

Veterans with family support have better functional recovery and reintegration outcomes. However, families’ ability to support the veteran with PTSD’s rehabilitation and reintegration oftentimes is hindered by interpersonal challenges.

While many Veterans experience reintegration without major problems, a sizable portion struggle with difficulties, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), during the transition back to their families and communities following deployment.