A Two-Front War: Exploring Military Families' Battle with Parental Deployment

The purpose of this study was to identify ways parents comfort their children to help them cope and adapt to the stresses of the deployment of a mother or father in military service, as well as the reintegration process of the parent returning home.

This qualitative study used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to better understand the lived experiences of these families and strategies used to combat stressors of deployment and post-deployment. Using purposive and snowball sampling for recruitment, participants completed an online anonymous survey that consisted of demographic and open-ended questions. A study sample of 15 participants (n = 15) was selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Using an interpretive framework for data analysis, six themes emerged from the survey.

Six themes emerged from the data including the value of family communication, the importance of maintaining a routine, the occurrence of behavioral issues and emotional distress in children, the use of creative coping strategies, the need for parental self-care, and the resilience of the military families.

There are unique challenges for military families during and after deployment that can be mitigated with identified strategies.

Incorporation of the study's findings into nursing practice will enhance patient education and anticipatory guidance for military families with children experiencing or planning for a parental deployment.