What is Military Family Syndrome?

The term “military family syndrome” first came into use after the Vietnam War to describe the behavioral and psychosocial problems of children of deployed parents, as well as the effects of deployment on the relationship between the child and the parent remaining at home [4].

How does military affect family?

Military life results in uncertainty and breaks in routine, which can cause family members to experience high anxiety, depression, PTSD and long-term mental health and wellness injuries. Many spouses feel it will hurt their military partner's chances of promotion if they would seek help for stress or depression.

How does growing up in a military family affect you?

Children in military families experience high rates of mental health, trauma and related problems. Military life can be a source of psychological stress for children. Multiple deployments, frequent moves and having a parent injured or die is a reality for many children in military families.

What are three challenges military families face?

Is a child in a military family more susceptible to depression?

Adolescents with a parent or sibling who has been deployed are more likely than their nonmilitary peers to feel depressed, contemplate suicide and report poorer overall well-being, according to a USC study of 14,299 adolescents in California.

How Military Deployment Can Impact Families, Both Parents and Kids

Does military family syndrome exist?

The term “military family syndrome” first came into use after the Vietnam War to describe the behavioral and psychosocial problems of children of deployed parents, as well as the effects of deployment on the relationship between the child and the parent remaining at home [4].

What is Month of the military child?

Each April, the Month of the Military Child provides a chance for us to recognize and thank the children of our service members and veterans.

Do military families have more children?

These data demonstrate that military fami- lies tend to marry and have children younger than civilians do, a trend that is influenced both by military policy and by the personal traits of people most likely to be drawn to military life.

How does the military affect relationships?

Military life brings additional challenges to couples, including: Frequent separations. Deployments and temporary duty assignments mean that military members spend more time away from home than the average civilian. Missing important events like anniversaries and birthdays can be hard for both members of the couple.

How do you deal with being away from family in the military?

Why is it called a military brat?

One came through, discovering a book published in 1921 that attributed the saying to the British army. It explained “BRAT” as a status standing for British Regiment Attached Traveler, and it was assigned to families who were able to travel abroad with a soldier. Eventually, it just referred to military children.

What's it like being a military brat?

You are part of a lifestyle that is unique and comes with it's own set of rules. You will PCS when your mom or dad say so, you will change schools frequently, and you will go through deployments. You will attend promotions ceremonies, family fun days, and military balls.

What are military children known for?

Military brats are raised in a culture that stresses LDRSHIP, Duty, Honor, and Country. Their strict (outward) adherence to military values is what separates most from their civilian peers. Children of military personnel often mirror the values, ideals, and attitudes of their parents more than children of civilians.

How does a parent in the military affect a child?

More recent findings with deployed service members with children have shown problems with sleeping, higher stress levels and anxiety, declining grades, an increase in maladaptive child behaviors, and increased rates of child maltreatment.

How does PTSD affect military families?

Early research on PTSD has shown the harmful impact of PTSD on families. This research showed that Vietnam Veterans have more marital problems and family violence. Their partners have more distress. Their children have more behavior problems than do those of Veterans without PTSD.

Do military families struggle financially?

As many as 160,000 active-duty military members are having trouble feeding their families. That estimate by Feeding America, which coordinates the work of more than 200 food banks around the country, underscores how long-term food insecurity has extended into every aspect of American life, including the military.

Why do most military relationships fail?

The marriages of U.S. Armed Forces service members often fail because of infidelity on the part of one or both spouses. There are always stories of lonely military wives hanging out at clubs and cheating on husbands who are deployed.

Is the military hard on relationships?

Not knowing where they may be or what they are doing is difficult in long-distance military relationships. That makes it difficult to form healthy, intimate relationships with your significant other, but both parties must be open and honest about their expectations for the relationship.

Are military divorce rates higher?

The rate of divorce among women in the military is double that of their male counterparts. The average divorce rate for those in the military is only slightly higher than the average U.S. divorce rate overall. The U.S. divorce rate is 2.9.

Why do military move every 3 years?

Here's the real reason the military moves so much:

Teamwork creates emotional attachment. Being emotionally attached makes it a lot harder to lose a life on the battlefield. So, to prevent emotional attachment, the military invests over $4 billion every year into relocating troops and families.

How common are military families?

Overall, roughly eight-in-ten veterans (79%) have an immediate family member who served in the military. This compares with 61% among the general public.

How many times on average will a military child move?

A typical child in a military family can expect to move six to nine times from kindergarten through high school graduation.

What does purple mean in the military?

The Purple Heart medal is presented to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. military. A Purple Heart is a solemn distinction and means a service member has greatly sacrificed themselves, or paid the ultimate price, while in the line of duty.

Why is purple the color of the military child?

One common theme throughout the Month of the Military Child is the color purple. Purple was chosen because it symbolizes all branches of the military, a combination of Army Green, Air Force Blue, Coast Guard Blue, Marine Red and Navy Blue.

What is the flower of the military child?

The official flower of the military child is the dandelion, and here is why: Dandelions put down roots almost anywhere and it is almost impossible to destroy.