Related Experiment Videos
Child maltreatment among U.S. Air Force parents deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring
Mandy M Rabenhorst1, Randy J McCarthy2, Cynthia J Thomsen2
1Center for the Study of Family Violence and Sexual Assault, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA rmccarthy3@niu.edu.
Insights
Child maltreatment rates did not change overall after combat deployment. However, severe child maltreatment, particularly with alcohol use, increased postdeployment, indicating a need for targeted support for returning service members.
Area of Science:
- Military Psychology
- Child Welfare Studies
- Public Health
Background:
- Combat deployment poses unique stressors for military parents.
- Previous research on child maltreatment in military families has yielded mixed results.
- Understanding postdeployment changes in maltreatment is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in child maltreatment perpetration rates among U.S. Air Force parents before and after combat deployment.
- To identify specific types of child maltreatment that may increase or decrease postdeployment.
- To examine the role of alcohol use in postdeployment child maltreatment.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 99,697 active-duty U.S. Air Force parents who completed combat deployment.
- Utilizing the deploying parent as the unit of analysis.
- Comparing child maltreatment rates in the predeployment and postdeployment periods.
Main Results:
- No overall increase in child maltreatment rates was observed postdeployment compared to predeployment.
- Rates of emotional abuse and mild maltreatment decreased following deployment.
- Rates of severe child maltreatment, including incidents involving alcohol use, were higher postdeployment.
Conclusions:
- While overall child maltreatment rates remained stable, a concerning rise in severe maltreatment postdeployment warrants attention.
- Returning service members with alcohol use problems may be at higher risk for perpetrating severe child maltreatment.
- Enhanced support services for parents returning from combat deployment, focusing on alcohol use, are recommended.
Abstract:
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.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...
00:55Parental Care
01:28Relationship with Parents: Attachment
01:20Attachment
03:34Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
01:30Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and...