Supporting Military Families with Young Children throughout the Deployment Lifecycle
Abstract
U.S. military service since the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks has placed tremendous demands on families. Approximately 43% of the Total Forces are parents and two million children have experienced parental deployment. Of these children, 42% were younger than five years during the deployment-separation period(s). In order to build and maintain strong family relationships that support family resilience and child well-being, Soldier and non-deploying parents must successfully meet the challenges of caregiving throughout the deployment cycle. The primary aim of this research is to adapt and test the efficacy of a preventive intervention program that was originally developed as a reintegration program to reduce parenting stress and promote family resilience in Active Duty military families through all phases of the deployment cycle. The study will be conducted in three phases. In phase 1, qualitative interviews will be administered a sample of 40 with Soldiers (20) and Non-Deploying Parents (20) of young children, and 10 key informants to identify parenting need sin the context of deployment. In phases 2 and 3, we conduct a randomized clinical trial with a sample of 150 Active Duty families who are within 6 months of deployment. Families will be randomized to receive the Strong Families parenting program or the Strong Parents self-care program. Primary outcomes include parenting stress, family resilience, and dimensions of family resilience. Secondary goals of this research are to conduct a prospective examination of coparenting through deployment and cost-effective analysis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1047167
Entities
People
- Ellen R. DeVoe
Organizations
- Boston University