Kids at the VA? A call for evidence-based parenting interventions for returning veterans

Veterans of the current and recent U.S. military conflicts are at risk for negative physical, psychological, and family functioning outcomes. Children of veterans are also at risk for developing mental and behavioral difficulties. Furthermore, the parent-child relationship can be negatively affected by deployment-related problems. These child and family functioning difficulties can result in less positive outcomes for the veteran. Therefore, treatments targeting family and parent-child functioning have the potential to promote veterans' recovery. This article reviews literature related to child mental health, parenting, and veteran outcomes and calls for research regarding the implementation of parenting interventions at facilities which provide mental health care to veterans, such as VA medical centers. Using an example treatment, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), the authors outline the components needed to make a parenting intervention most useful to veterans. Challenges to implementation are outlined, including policy, resource, and population-specific factors. Research directions related to each challenge are also discussed, emphasizing the ability of interventions such as PCIT to adapt to serve new populations, and the ability of the VA to adapt to provide ideal services to veterans.