I Serve 2: Identifying and caring for military-connected children in civilian primary care settings

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Military and Veterans Affairs
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Over two million children have parents serving or who have served in the Armed Forces.
• Military life presents unique stressors for children.
• Research indicates military-connected children face elevated risks for physical, psychological, and behavioral health concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the sacrifices and challenges faced by children of military personnel.
• To emphasize the need for recognizing and addressing the stressors impacting military children.
• To advocate for increased support and care for this population.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review of existing research and literature on military children's health.
• Analysis of data on the prevalence of health issues in military-connected children.
• Qualitative assessment of stressors associated with military life for children.

Main Results:

• Military children experience significant sacrifices due to parental deployment and service.
• A higher incidence of physical, psychological, and behavioral health problems is observed in this group.
• Despite resilience, significant stressors impact the well-being of military children.

Conclusions:

• Military children's unique sacrifices and challenges require specific attention and support.
• It is essential to acknowledge the stresses of military life on children, not just their resilience.
• Further research and targeted interventions are needed to support the health and well-being of military children.