Military Adolescents: Their Strengths and Vulnerabilities Analysis of Focus Groups
Abstract
Three hundred and eighty three (383) adolescents participated in focus groups following the administration of a questionnaire designed to collect broad, baseline data on military adolescents. Topics addressed during the groups ranged from general (e.g., What is life like for you?) to quite specific (e.g., How safe do you feel at this installation or in your neighborhood?). While the adolescents who participated had a predominantly positive view of military family life, they also had a number of concerns. Many discussed problems with school transitions and difficulties with maintaining and initiating friendships with peers due to frequent relocations. The older youths often related the perception that there were no activities provided on installation directed at their age group. Some adolescents felt that social problems would be dramatically reduced if older youths had "somewhere to go" or "something to do" on installation. Recommendations are made on ways that many of the concerns of these adolescents can be addressed. Further research is recommended to better understand the source of the resiliency that these young people seem to possess in the face of frequent disruption of their peer and educational milieus.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA358336
Entities
People
- Dorothy J. Jeffreys
- Douglas Lare
- Jeffrey D. Leitzel
- Nancy M. Nagy