https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-ChesmoreEtAl18TRIP

Chesmore, A. A., Piehler, T. F., & Gewirtz, A. H. (2018). PTSD as a moderator of a parenting intervention for military families. Journal of Family Psychology, 32(1), 123–133. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000366

After Deployment Adaptive Parenting Tools (ADAPT) is a program designed to improve effective parenting skills, such as problem solving, encouragement, and using less harsh discipline among parents in military families. The current study examined how post-traumatic stress (PTSD) symptoms among parents impacts the outcome of parental effectiveness through the ADAPT intervention. Military family participants (N = 336) consisted of at least one parent who had been deployed, and at least one child between the ages of four and 12. Families were randomly assigned and participated in the intervention (n = 175) or control group (n = 129) i.e., provided web, and print resources. Overall, there were significant intervention effects for both mothers and fathers. However, there were differing results in program effectiveness for mothers and fathers who met clinical levels of PTSD.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/fam0000366

Mental health
Parents
Programming

Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Navy

Active Duty
Veteran

Active duty service member
Child of a service member or veteran
Guard/Reserve member
Military families
Spouse of service member or veteran
Veteran

Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Preschool age (2 -5 yrs)
School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Longitudinal Study
Quantitative Study

Chesmore, Ashley A., Piehler, Timothy F., Gewirtz, Abigail H.

The stress of multiple deployments and exposure to combat places service members at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may detrimentally affect parenting. Evidence-based parenting programs have been successful in promoting adaptive parenting practices among families exposed to stress. However, the effects of preventive interventions on parenting may vary by military parent's PTSD. The current study includes families who participated in a randomized controlled trial of a parenting intervention for military families known as After Deployment, Adaptive Parenting Tools (ADAPT). Families were randomized to either a 14-week, group-based parenting program or a comparison group. Participants included families with 4- to 12-year-old children in which at least 1 parent deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan (N = 336; 945 individuals). Structural equation modeling was used to examine parent self-reported PTSD as a potential moderator of the relationship between intent-to-treat status and effective parenting practices 12 months postbaseline while accounting for baseline effective parenting, length and number of deployments, and family demographics. Father PTSD was a significant moderator, such that the intervention was less effective for fathers who met clinical levels of PTSD. No significant moderation effects were found among mothers. These findings may have important implications for the development of future evidence-based parenting programs. (PsycINFO Database Record

American Psychological Association

Article
REACH Publication

University of Minnesota Twin Cities, AAC
University of Minnesota Twin Cities, TFP
University of Minnesota Twin Cities, AHG