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Military children: when parents are deployed overseas
Virginia M Fitzsimons1, Cheryl A Krause-Parello
1College of Natural, Applied, and Health Sciences at Kean University, Union, NJ, USA.
Summary
Military families face significant challenges during deployment. This article details the psychosocial needs of children and families across all five deployment stages, highlighting the role of school nurses in providing support.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Military and Veterans Affairs
Background:
- Military deployments disrupt family life, creating stress for adults and children.
- Caregiving roles for children of deployed service members have expanded beyond traditional maternal roles.
- Extended family and parents increasingly provide care for children during service member absences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the challenges faced by military families during deployment.
- To describe the psychosocial developmental needs of children and families across deployment stages.
- To inform school nurses about supporting military families.
Main Methods:
- This article reviews the psychosocial needs of military children and families.
- It examines challenges across the five stages of military deployment: predeployment, deployment, sustainment, redeployment, and postdeployment.
- Information is synthesized to guide support strategies.
Main Results:
- Families encounter unique stressors at each of the five deployment stages.
- Children's psychosocial development is impacted by parental absence and family disruption.
- Specific needs arise for caregivers, including extended family members and parents.
Conclusions:
- School nurses are crucial in supporting military children and families.
- Identifying and addressing psychosocial needs at each deployment stage is vital.
- Connecting families with resources and networks enhances resilience and well-being.
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