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Objective: Adolescent children of US service members (i.e., military‐dependent youth) face unique stressors that increase risk for various forms of disinhibited eating, including emotional eating. Difficulties with adaptively responding to stress and aversive emotions may play an important role in emotional eating. This study examined emotion dysregulation as a potential moderator of the association between perceived stress and emotional eating in adolescent military dependents. Method: Participants were military‐dependent youth (N = 163, 57.7% female, Mage = 14.5 ± 1.6, MBMI‐z = 1.9 ± 0.4) at risk for adult binge‐eating disorder and high weight enrolled in a randomized controlled prevention trial. Prior to intervention, participants completed questionnaires assessing perceived stress and emotional eating. Parents completed a questionnaire assessing their adolescent's emotion dysregulation. Moderation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro in SPSS and adjusted for theoretically relevant sociodemographic covariates. Results: The interaction between adolescent perceived stress and emotion dysregulation (parent‐reported about the adolescent) in relation to adolescent emotional eating was found to be significant, such that higher emotion dysregulation magnified the association between perceived stress and emotional eating (p =.010). Examination of simple slopes indicated that associations between perceived stress and emotional eating were strongest for youth with above‐average emotion dysregulation, and non‐significant for youth with average or below‐average emotion dysregulation. Discussion: Findings suggest that greater emotion dysregulation may increase risk for emotional eating in response to stress among military‐dependent youth at risk for binge‐eating disorder or high weight. Improving emotion regulation skills may be a useful target for eating disorder prevention among youth who are at risk for emotional eating. Public Significance: Prior research has shown that adolescent military dependents are at increased risk for eating disorders and high weight. The current study found that emotion dysregulation moderated the relationship between perceived stress and emotional eating among military‐dependent youth. There may be clinical utility in intervening on emotion regulation for adolescent dependents at particular risk for emotional eating and subsequent eating disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Many facets of military life are contributors to child health including frequent mobility, family separation, and increased risk to parental physical and mental health, as well as strong social networks and military support systems; yet, there has not been an examination of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) among military children. Materials and methods This study used the 2020–2021 National Survey of Children's Health, limited to children aged 6 to 17 years of age, to examine the association between a child who has ever had a caregiver on active duty and their exposure to ACEs and PCEs (n  = 54,256 children). Bivariate analyses used Pearson's chi-squared tests and were weighted to be nationally representative. Multivariable regression models were used to examine the association between military status and selected ACEs. Results There were no statistically significant differences in PCEs between military and civilian children. Compared to children with a civilian caregiver, children who had a caregiver who had ever served on active duty had a higher odds of experiencing domestic violence (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR), 1.61; 95% CI 1.23–2.11), mental health issues or depression in the household (aOR 1.28; 95% CI 1.07–1.52), and substance use (aOR 1.28; 95% CI 1.06–1.55). Conclusions This study complements and extends previous research that has taken a deficit approach and focused exclusively on the hardships faced by children in military families. The findings from this study may be instructive for child welfare advocates and policymakers as they intervene in communities with programming that promotes PCEs among children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The offspring of US military service members may be at increased risk for eating disorders. However, no epidemiological studies to date have evaluated eating disorder incidence rates and prevalence estimates among military‐dependent youth. Method: This retrospective cohort study examined eating disorder diagnoses in the military healthcare system (MHS) from 2016 through 2021. Active duty and national guard military‐dependent youth, aged 10–17 years, who received care in the MHS via TRICARE Prime insurance, were identified by one or more ICD‐10 codes indicative of an eating disorder diagnosis (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge‐eating disorder, and other‐specified eating disorders). Results: During the 6‐year surveillance period, 2534 dependents received incident diagnoses of eating disorders, with a crude overall incidence rate of 1.75 cases per 10,000 person‐years. The most common diagnosis was other‐specified eating disorder, followed by anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge‐eating disorder. The crude annual incidence rate of all eating disorder diagnoses increased by nearly 65% from 2016 to 2021. Rates for all diagnoses were highest in 2020 and 2021. Period prevalence estimates were.08% for any eating disorder diagnosis,.01% for anorexia nervosa,.004% for bulimia nervosa,.004% for binge‐eating disorder, and.06% for other‐specified eating disorders. Discussion: The observed increase in eating disorder diagnoses during the surveillance period appeared to be driven by female dependents. More military dependents experienced a new‐onset diagnosis during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to previous years. These findings highlight the need for eating disorder screening, identification, and treatment for dependents within the MHS. Public Significance Statement: Children of US military service members may be at increased risk for eating disorders. Results indicate new‐onset eating disorder cases increased 65% from 2016 to 2021, primarily among girls compared to boys. The most diagnosed and fastest growing diagnosis was other‐specified eating disorder. Rates of anorexia nervosa increased following the COVID‐19 pandemic. Findings highlight the need for eating disorder screening, identification, and treatment within the military healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Health insurance coverage is associated with outcomes in cystic fibrosis (CF). • The role of Tricare, a program for U.S. military members/dependents, is unknown. • Within the CFF registry tricare subjects had greater geographic mobility by 6yo. • Outcomes for those with tricare appeared more similar to private insurance. • Future research should consider treating tricare similar to private insurance. Health insurance coverage is associated with outcomes in cystic fibrosis (CF). A fraction of individuals in the United States are covered through Tricare, a federally funded program for military members and their dependents. The role of Tricare on CF health outcomes is unknown. Using a retrospective CF Foundation Patient Registry cohort born 2000–2011, insurance status was defined as any Tricare (n = 328) with reference groups of always private (n = 3,455) and exclusively public (n = 2,669) during the first 6 years of life. Subjects with Tricare coverage attended more CF care centers and lived in more zip codes by age 6 than their counterparts. BMI did not differ between groups. Subjects with Tricare had a higher FEV 1 at age 6 compared to those with always public insurance. Overall, outcomes for those with Tricare insurance appeared more similar to those with always private insurance. Future research should consider treating Tricare coverage similar to private insurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being reared as a military kid is a unique experience shared by millions of children all over the world. This study seeks to understand the experiences shared by military kids and how those experiences change their perspectives, behaviours, and relationships. In the present phenomenological study, we conducted 21 in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews of college students who were reared as United States military kids (MKs). Using criterion sampling, the participants all met specific criteria, including experiencing deployment of their military parent as well as a minimum of 10 years of parental service during the MK's lifetime. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, and coded for analysis. Researchers reviewed the transcriptions to find common themes and meta-themes present in a majority of the interviews. Common themes centred around relationships with family, changes during childhood, and military presence in everyday life. Particular findings reported in the present article include demonstrated respect, military pride, military community commonality, anticipation of change, childhood instability, family dynamics, military terminology, adaptability, and an overall positive experience. These common themes are relevant for all involved in the care of military kids and their families, as they underline the unique perspective that MKs have about their childhood and their future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Military life is characterized by regular transitions; thus, parents are positioned to serve as stable protective factors for adolescents. We investigated a theory‐informed model that assessed direct and indirect relationships between parental relationship quality, parental behaviors, and adolescent depressive symptomatology using cross‐sectional data of military families in the United States (US). Participant families (N = 229), recruited via convenience sampling to take a computer‐based survey, included an active duty father, his spouse, and an adolescent. Mother's couple relationship quality was indirectly linked to adolescent depressive symptoms through maternal warmth. Conversely, father's couple relationship quality was indirectly linked to adolescent depressive symptoms via paternal hostility. In other words, parental couple relationship quality was indirectly related to adolescent depressive symptoms, but this relationship differed by parent (i.e., warmth for mothers and hostility for fathers). Findings were similar for adolescent boys and girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children from military families comprise nearly 4% of the entire school-age population of the United States. Of those children, approximately 90% attend public schools serving both military and nonmilitary student populations (Ruff and Keim, 2014). Previous literature established some understanding regarding this population's emotional and academic challenges (i.e., Berg, 2008; Esqueda, Astor, and De Pedro 2012; Ruff et al., 2014; and Cole, 2016). However, there is limited empirical scholarship examining how to address the unique social-emotional needs of students from military families. Through an examination of ethical, servant, and democratic leadership approaches and invitational education theory, the purpose of this practice-based study was twofold: (a) to gain a comprehensive understanding of the social-emotional needs of children from military families attending public school systems that serve students from both military and nonmilitary families, and; (b) to discuss ways that educators could effectively respond to these unique social-emotional challenges by establishing an intentionally inviting school environment emphasizing the individual's opportunity for optimal growth. Overall, regardless if students were from military or nonmilitary families, educators within the participating public schools should be encouraged to nurture the various needs of all students), recognize their human potential, and optimally enhance the students' development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is estimated that there are 1,678,778 military children in the United States, with 80% of them attending U.S. civilian operated public schools. Therefore, it is critical that educators across school settings have access to information that supports the academic, behavioral, and social emotional health of military children. The current paper provides an overview of the resiliency that military children possess, as well as the unique challenges they may experience as part of military life, including the deployment cycle Further, available mental health supports for military children and families are provided for schools to consider as part of their overall support for military children and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Incomplete or inadequate provision of contraceptive services to servicewomen can have a profound impact on military health, readiness, and financial outcomes. This study examined the reproductive health practices and perceptions among family medicine physicians caring for servicewomen.Materials and Methods: We conducted an anonymous survey of 568 registered attendees at the March, 2018 Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians annual meeting. The response rate was 52.8% and 69% of responders met inclusion criteria.Results: Our sample of family medicine physicians was 58.3% male and 85.3% Caucasian. In all, 18.3% were current residents, 42.9% graduated between 2008 and 2017, and 38.7% graduated before 2008. A previous deployment was reported by 55.1%.Among physicians with a deployment history, 20.8% reported difficulty prescribing contraception during deployment because they were unable to obtain a patient's desired method, 2.6% reported servicewomen not accessing contraception because of fear and stigma associated with sexual activity in the deployed setting, and 22.1% reported problems with both factors.Among physicians performing pre-deployment and other readiness visits for active duty servicewomen, 17.4% reported not discussing contraception at these encounters because of competing priorities and 1.5% because of ethical/religious concerns. Physicians who could offer more rapid access to subdermal implants (within 2 weeks) were more likely to discuss contraception (87.0% versus 64.7%, p = 0.005).When discussing the use of contraception in the deployed environment, 15.8% of physicians would not prescribe oral contraceptives, 12.3% would not prescribe intrauterine methods, and 14.3% would not prescribe subdermal implants. Physicians who previously deployed were more likely to report they would offer oral contraceptives (91% versus 75.0%, OR 3.4 [95% CI 1.44-8.48], p = 0.002) for women in the deployed setting compared to those who have not deployed. More timely (<2 weeks) access to subdermal implant insertion was associated with a greater rate of offering subdermal implants (91.9% versus 79.6%, p = 0.02).When discussing contraceptive options with all women, 27.3% of physicians do not prescribe emergency contraception because of training, ethical, and/or religious reasons. Some reported they would neither prescribe nor refer women for the following methods: emergency contraception (4.5%), intrauterine contraception (9.3%), and subdermal implants (7.3%).Conclusions: The results of this study support the need to develop a consistent, standardized, and evidence-based pre-deployment process and expanded resources in deployed environments for services related to the provision of reproductive health. Optimal strategies may aim to reduce barriers to care and enable the highest quality of health care through provider education, resource allocation, revised appointment times and content, and diversity among provider experience. Further research is needed to determine the influence of physician practice patterns on patient reproductive health outcomes and interventions to modify these practices to improve patient outcomes and military readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite significant stressors facing military families over the past 15 years of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, no parenting programs adapted or developed for military families with school-aged children have been rigorously tested. We present outcome data from the first randomized controlled trial of a behavioral parent training program for families with a parent deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. In the present study, 336 primarily National Guard and Reserve families with 4-12-year-old children were recruited from a Midwestern state. At least one parent in each family had deployed to the recent conflicts: Operations Iraqi or Enduring Freedom, or New Dawn (OIF/OEF/OND). Families were randomized to a group-based parenting program (After Deployment, Adaptive Parenting Tools (ADAPT)) or web and print resources-as-usual. Using a social interaction learning framework, we hypothesized an indirect effects model: that the intervention would improve parenting, which, in turn, would be associated with improvements in child outcomes. Applying intent-to-treat analyses, we examined the program's effect on observed parenting, and children's adjustment at 12-months post baseline. Controlling for demographic (marital status, length, child gender), deployment variables (number of deployments), and baseline values, families randomized to the ADAPT intervention showed significantly improved observed parenting compared to those in the comparison group. Observed parenting, in turn, was associated with significant improvements in child adjustment. These findings present the first evidence for the effectiveness of a parenting program for deployed military families with school-aged children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As former U.S. Army Surgeon General Horoho points out, a large fraction of what determines the health and readiness of our military families does not occur during appointments with professionals, but rather within the "Lifespace-where health really happens...." Indeed, when children of military families experience psychosocial difficulties, such stress impacts the service members' personal well-being and ability to focus at work, impairing their capacity to attend to the mission. As such, the Department of Defense (DoD) has instituted a family readiness system to bolster resiliency within military families, including children, e.g., by linking families with support networks. Bolstering military family resiliency, including the prevention of and effective intervention for child psychosocial problems, is an important issue at all levels of the DoD. Service members, leaders, and policy makers have a vested interest in promoting mission readiness and a healthy force. Research can play an important role in shaping decision-making by consolidating what is currently known and not known about a particular expertise area. To date, there has been no consolidation of research regarding outcomes associated with military community support and the programs that currently exist to bolster child and family resiliency. Given the importance of military families to mission readiness, a review of the relevant research is warranted.Methods: This commentary article reviews the literature on community support for military children, provides an overview of currently available resources, discusses concerns with the current provision of support services to military families, and offers recommendations for future research, policy, and implementation of military community support programs.Conclusion: Although there is a dearth of research on available support programs, there appears to be no lack of services available to military families. However, several steps could be taken to make these resources into a more supportive system. Family members must be able to identify what support services exist, distinguish which service is most suitable for their needs, and be able to readily access these services in a resource-conserving manner. Considerable overlap in support services seems to suggest limited coordination between organizations and service providers, particularly in regard to the government/civilian interface, which inherently lies outside of DoD control. This overlap suggests a redundancy, which may not be efficient economically or in regard to accessing support. There also may be some confusion over which support service is most suitable for the consumer's need. Although some overlap is useful, such as the provision of different services to different populations (e.g., having separate programs for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine subcultures), limited organization and parsimonious provision of services makes it particularly difficult for spouses and family members to navigate resources. Initial attempts are being made to organize and consolidate resources in both the government and civilian sectors. However, it is clear that these initiatives have not completely solved problems related to resource access, redundancy, and lack of research-supported efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 bereaved dependent family members. Identifying characteristics of these dependent families improves our understanding of their unique needs, helps educate service providers who offer assistance to these surviving family members, and better informs policy addressing their health and well-being. This study describes deceased U.S. military service members (DSMs) who died on active duty between September 11, 2001 and September 11, 2011 and their surviving dependent spouses and children.Methods: Characteristics of DSMs (service branch, rank, and cause of death) and characteristics of spouse-with-children and spouse-only families (ages of dependents, time since loss, and distance from a military installation) were examined.Results: 15,938 DSMs died from a variety of causes (e.g., accidents, combat, and illnesses). 55% of DSMs had dependent spouses and 56% of those spouses had children. Most surviving dependent spouses and children were young (mean ages = 32.8, 10.3 years; SD = 9.3, 7.3 years, respectively) at the time of DSM death. Many of these young dependents were related to a DSM who experienced a sudden and violent death. 60% of spouse-with-children families and 58% of spouse-only families lived farther than 60 miles from a military installation. Time since loss (range = 1.3-11.3 years) did not predict distance to installation.Conclusions: Findings characterize surviving spouses and their children, suggest potential risk for problematic grief outcomes, and underscore the importance of educating service providers about how to support military survivor family health and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent scoping review found that stressors involved in the military lifestyle (i.e., frequent relocation, parental absence, and risk of parental injury) may be associated with mental health issues among military-children. However, most of the included studies were conducted in the United States with little Canadian representation. To examine the degree to which the scoping review findings are relevant to the Canadian context, we conducted a qualitative study and interviewed 37 parents in Canadian military families. Through the use of a qualitative description approach and content analysis, three themes were identified: 1. Military lifestyle factors have an impact on child mental health; 2. Military life can promote both resilience and vulnerability; and 3. Military lifestyle impacts on parental mental health had an impact on children. These themes align with the scoping review findings asserting that military lifestyle factors can influence child mental health and have significant implications for health care providers working with military-connected children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 9/11, military service in the United States has been characterized by wartime deployments and reintegration challenges that contribute to a context of stress for military families. Research indicates the negative impact of wartime deployment on the well being of service members, military spouses, and children. Yet, few studies have considered how parental deployments may affect adjustment in young children and their families. Using deployment records and parent-reported measures from primary caregiving (N = 680) and military (n = 310) parents, we examined the influence of deployment on adjustment in military families with children ages 0-10 years. Greater deployment exposure was related to impaired family functioning and marital instability. Parental depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms were associated with impairments in social emotional adjustment in young children, increased anxiety in early childhood, and adjustment problems in school-age children. Conversely, parental sensitivity was associated with improved social and emotional outcomes across childhood. These findings provide guidance to developing preventive approaches for military families with young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female service members' family structures differ from the traditional male service member-female spouse composition of military families. Consequently, this mixed-methods study reviewed demographic data, empirical evidence, and presented findings from secondary analyses of the 2010 wave of the Military Family Life Project regarding structural differences in male and female service members' families and perceptions and experiences of military spouses. In addition, to gain an understanding of the influence of women's service on their family functioning, we conducted in-depth telephone interviews with 20 civilian husbands residing in 11 states around the United States. Empirical evidence suggests service women had higher rates or remarriage and divorce than service men. Women were also more likely than men to be part of nontraditional family forms. Civilian husbands of female service members, however, reported lower marital satisfaction, less support from the community, and less satisfaction with the military lifestyle than military wives. Husbands' accounts indicated that their families experienced both benefits and challenges from wives' service. Integration in the military community and separation presented major challenges for women's families. Implications of benefits and challenges of women's service for their families are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on obesity prevalence and interventions targeted at military youth. Topics covered include the effects of obesity on military recruitment, retention and retirement, the relationship between physical activity levels and body mass index of active duty military personnel, and the relevance of implementing prevention and treatment interventions for overweight and obesity.

More than 2.5 million military veterans have been deployed for service in Iraq and/or Afghanistan, whereas another 20 million veterans currently reside in the United States. For various reasons, increasing numbers of military and associated personnel from various wars could go to civilian population-based care facilities for their rest-of-life health care. Therefore, educational activities are important to prepare nursing staff for the culturally sensitive care that veterans, their dependents, and civilian contractor personnel need. This article (a) provides rationale for veterans' admissions, (b) summarizes some common health situations that veterans are likely to encounter, (c) stresses major educational goals, and (d) emphasizes the use of the universal assessment question: Have you ever served in the military? Several educational implications and challenges are discussed, including war zone physiology, reintegration, military culture and pride, ethical challenges, educational speakers, simulation, veteran individuality, and compassion fatigue. Available resources to accompany this content are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined child maltreatment perpetration among 99,697 active-duty U.S. Air Force parents who completed a combat deployment. Using the deploying parent as the unit of analysis, we analyzed whether child maltreatment rates increased postdeployement relative to predeployment. These analyses extend previous research that used aggregate data and extend our previous work that used data from the same period but used the victim as the unit of analysis and included only deploying parents who engaged in child maltreatment. In this study, 2% (n = 1,746) of deploying parents perpetrated child maltreatment during the study period. Although no overall differences were found in child maltreatment rates postdeployment compared to predeployment, several maltreatment-related characteristics qualified this finding. Rates for emotional abuse and mild maltreatment were lower following deployment, whereas child maltreatment rates for severe maltreatment were higher following deployment. The finding that rates of severe child maltreatment, including incidents involving alcohol use, were higher postdeployment suggests a need for additional support services for parents following their return from combat deployment, with a focus on returning parents who have an alcohol use problem. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Almost nothing is known about the family and individual adjustment of military mothers who have deployed to the conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan (Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn; OIF, OEF, OND), constituting a gap in psychologists' knowledge about how best to help this population. We report baseline data on maternal, child, parenting, and couple adjustment for mothers in 181 families in which a parent deployed to OIF/OEF/OND. Among this sample, 34 mothers had deployed at least once, and 147 mothers had experienced the deployment of a male spouse/partner. Mothers completed self-report questionnaires assessing past-year adverse life events, war experiences (for deployed mothers only), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms, difficulties in emotion regulation, parenting, couple adjustment, and child functioning. Mothers who had deployed reported greater distress than nondeployed mothers (higher scores on measures of PTSD and depression symptoms), and slightly more past year adverse events. A moderate number of war experiences (combat and postbattle aftermath events) were reported, consistent with previous studies of women in current and prior conflicts. However, no differences were found between the two groups on measures of couple adjustment, parenting, or child functioning. Results are discussed in terms of the dearth of knowledge about deployed mothers, and implications for psychologists serving military families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Describe tobacco companies' marketing strategies targeting low socioeconomic status (SES) females in the USA. METHODS: Analysis of previously secret tobacco industry documents. RESULTS: Tobacco companies focused marketing on low SES women starting in the late 1970s, including military wives, low-income inner-city minority women, 'discount-susceptible' older female smokers and less-educated young white women. Strategies included distributing discount coupons with food stamps to reach the very poor, discount offers at point-of-sale and via direct mail to keep cigarette prices low, developing new brands for low SES females and promoting luxury images to low SES African-American women. More recently, companies integrated promotional strategies targeting low-income women into marketing plans for established brands. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco companies used numerous marketing strategies to reach low SES females in the USA for at least four decades. Strategies to counteract marketing to low SES women could include (1) counteracting price discounts and direct mail coupons that reduce the price of tobacco products, (2) instituting restrictions on point-of-sale advertising and retail display and (3) creating counteradvertising that builds resistance to psychosocial targeting of low SES women. To achieve health equity, tobacco control efforts are needed to counteract the influence of tobacco industry marketing to low-income women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers surveyed licensed social workers from 5 Mid-Atlantic states to explore their perspectives on the current state of mental health and service delivery for military service workers, families, and contractors. Social workers identified needs in the following areas: mental health, physical health and wellness, social and environmental, interpersonal and family, and military-specific needs. The majority of needs were most critical during the postdeployment stage. Education related to the observed needs was reported; social workers were most interested in learning about military culture and how to coordinate resources within the community to support the total military community. Suggestions for social work education and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the need of the U.S. states to adopt licensing accommodations for attorneys married to members of the armed services and suggests a model rule for legislatures to consider. Topics discussed include disruption in the military spouse's employment, need of more portability in attorney licenses, and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) efforts in this regard.

Partner abuse (PA) is a public health problem that affects a significant number of families. Experiencing PA places victims at risk for a variety of negative outcomes, including substance use or abuse, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and, in extreme cases, permanent injury or death. Furthermore, children who are exposed to PA are at risk for problems in the areas of cognitive functioning, self-esteem, psychological and emotional well‐being, interpersonal relationships, and behavior. Most of what is known about PA has accrued through studies of civilian families. In this article, the authors report the results of an in depth review of the epidemiology of PA in each branch of the military. Results revealed that most studies of the military have been conducted with Army families. Rates of nonclinically significant PA are higher in military samples than civilian samples. Men and women connected to the military engage in rates of mild to moderate PA at similar rates. Males in the military engage in more violent PA than do women. These findings are discussed within a prevention and risk/resilience framework. Practical suggestions for clinicians working with military personnel and families and ideas for future research are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, approximately 300,000 families including 700,000 children have been affected by the increased and repeated number of deployments in support of the Global War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. The purpose of this review is to discuss the impact of these deployments on family members of active duty and reserve/guard personnel. A search of literature across the years of military conflicts reveals waves of studies emerging after World War II, the Vietnam conflict, Desert Storm/Shield, and now the most recent wars. Study designs most frequently include qualitative exploratory, survey methods, and program evaluations. The field is limited by small scale projects, service- and facility-specific samples, and knowledge extracted from related topics. More research is needed to achieve a more comprehensive understanding across the trajectory of the deployment experience for both service personnel and family members as well as long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the community based solutions for supporting the military-connected children and their families. Topics discussed include formal and informal community connections is fundamental for promoting and sustaining military family resilience, several entities have worked to provide an understanding of the barriers, gaps, and trends, and San Diego, California has a responsibility to military families to create a model and demonstrate potential best practices.

Military-connected (MC) children can face emotional and academic challenges, but little is known about how these affect schools. This study gathered the perceptions of principals, school counselors, and teachers at eight MC public schools. Analyses of interview, focus group, and survey responses revealed that transitions and deployments had an impact on educators' work in specific ways. Areas of impact were thematically summarized in domains of academic support, social-emotional support, administration and student records, cultural responsiveness, and school-military-community partnerships. These domains complement prior research describing areas of MCstudent needs. Findings are situated within a framework of responsiveness that integrates school reform with professional standards for school social workers and school counselors. Recommendations include coordination among schoolbased professionals to promote success across domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle school students from military families face unique challenges, especially when their parents are deployed. Among the challenges they experience are frequent relocations; issues that affect academic achievement; uncertainty; and changes in roles, responsibilities, and relationships at home. Reunification involves issues of the returning parent's reintegration into the family, reacquainting with children, and recuperation. This article highlights the need for educators to recognize the unique matters surrounding military students, particularly those whose parents are deployed. It focuses on students’ needs, challenges faced by families and schools, and support mechanisms in place. Implications for practice and strategies for schools to use are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article examines Army spousal attitudes toward senior civilian leaders in the United States. Based on the 2004 Military Families Survey, it investigates the demographic, political, and institutional factors that structured the job approval ratings of then-President George W. Bush, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and Secretary of State Colin Powell. Partisanship, race and ethnicity, and opinions about the war in Iraq were consistently significant predictors; experiences directly related to the Iraq war were not. For instance, while Republicans and Latinos were highly likely to support the leadership, past and present deployments were not significant. In addition, Army spouses appear to have distinguished between the three leaders. The results have implications for researchers interested not only in military families but also the role of race and ethnicity in the armed forces, retention dynamics, the civil–military gap, and the Army in a time of war. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Social workers who treat children of deployed servicemembers may feel poorly prepared to work competently with military families and will benefit from understanding the immediate and long-term effects of parental deployment upon children. This review consolidates a substantial, shifting knowledge base and establishes a coherent theoretical framework for social workers to learn about the effects of war-specific deployment cycles for servicemembers, and the relationship among family members' and children's experiences with deployment separation. The author considers important lessons learned during the Vietnam War and the unique experiences specific to current wars. This article compares the Vietnam War and the more recent wars' characteristics of military deployment, demographic characteristics of service members, servicemembers' family characteristics, and research findings about the psychosocial effects of deployment on children. A case vignette is presented to clarify how an understanding of deployment and reintegration is necessary for the treatment of servicemembers, families, and children by social workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deployment represents a significant potential strain on military families. The impact of postdeployment stresses may be increased if family coping resources are diminished by returning service members' physical injuries, mental health issues, or substance abuse. This article examines the health and mental health correlates of self-reported concerns regarding interpersonal conflict among married soldiers following return from deployment and the likelihood that soldiers acknowledging such concerns are referred to counseling services. Among 20,166 married Army soldiers completing Post-Deployment Health Reassessments, 18% reported having experienced serious interpersonal conflict with their spouse, family members, close friends, or coworkers. Results indicate that interpersonal conflict was more common among those who reported health problems, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and alcohol abuse. Among soldiers reporting interpersonal conflict and not already receiving services, 11% were referred to service. Findings support the need to communicate with soldiers and their spouses about the availability of services following return from deployment and to continue efforts to reduce stigma associated with seeking treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 90% of the nation’s 1.2 million military children attend civilian-operated public schools. Education researchers, however, often overlook the educational experiences and needs of military children attending civilian-operated public schools (i.e., schools that are administered by and under the purview of local education agencies). This article is the first in an educational research journal to examine the intersections among state policy, school reform, and the educational experiences of military children. This article also highlights new data sources and funding opportunities for research on military students. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]