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When a parent goes to war: effects of parental deployment on very young children and implications for intervention

Ruth Paris1, Ellen R DeVoe, Abigail M Ross

  • 1Boston University, MA 02215, USA. rparis@bu.edu

The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
|October 19, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Young children in military families face unique challenges during parental deployment. Home-based interventions are recommended to support their development and well-being during this stressful period.

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Military Psychology
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Young children (birth–5 years) are disproportionately affected by parental deployment in U.S. military families.
  • Prolonged separation during deployment poses significant stressors, potentially impacting child development.
  • Parental deployment can represent a developmental crisis for young children, affecting their growth and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the effects of the military deployment cycle on young children.
  • To identify key areas of impact, including attachment, emotions, and behavior.
  • To propose an ecological approach for supporting military families with young children.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on the effects of parental deployment on young children.
  • Analysis of impacts on attachment patterns, emotional regulation, and behavioral changes.
  • Exploration of ecological frameworks for family support.

Main Results:

  • Young children experience vulnerability to deployment stressors due to their developmental stage.
  • Deployment-related separation can lead to intense emotions and behavioral changes.
  • Attachment patterns may be disrupted by a parent's prolonged absence.

Conclusions:

  • An ecological approach is crucial for supporting military families with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
  • Home-based, family-focused interventions show significant promise for mitigating negative impacts.
  • Targeted support is needed to ensure optimal child growth and development during parental deployment.

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