https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Melton2018

Melton, K. K., Townsend, J., & Hodge, C. J. (2018). The creation of military family leisure experiences. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 10(3), 602-619. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12273

Leisure time is integral to family functioning and personal wellbeing, in part because it provides opportunities for family members to build bonds and maintain a sense of solidarity. The purpose of this study was to apply the Creation of Family Experiences (CFE) framework to promote positive leisure experiences for military families. CFE takes into consideration family factors, aspects of leisure activities, and social norms to identify the circumstances in which family leisure activities may promote family cohesion (i.e., the emotional bonds experienced between family members). The authors suggest that the CFE Framework could be used to help military families identify appropriate leisure activities that can assist in mitigating military-related stressors while enhancing family relations.

https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12273

Children
Couples
Other
Parents
Programming
Youth

Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Navy
Multiple branches

Active Duty
Guard
Reserve

Active duty service member
Child of a service member or veteran
Guard/Reserve member
Military families
Military non-medical service providers

Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Neonatal (birth - 1 mo)
Infancy (2 - 23 mo)
Preschool age (2 -5 yrs)
School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)
Very old (85 yrs & older)

Application of theory

Melton, Karen K., Townsend, Jasmine, Hodge, Camilla J.

This article provides a theoretical model that positions family leisure experiences as a mechanism for positive family outcomes and resilience in military families. The article integrates the Creation of Family Experiences (CFE) framework with literature on military families, family leisure, and structured experiences. The CFE framework is a conceptual model that provides a lens for examining the context of family activities in order to better identify benefits for human development and family relations. When contextualized within military settings, the CFE can be used to understand and systematically optimize military family leisure experiences. It is critical to consider the experiences of military families (e.g., relocation, deployment, reunion) and how those experiences interact with family leisure experiences to produce resilient families. Future research and practice should consider this application of the CFE framework when seeking to explain, support, and program recreation-based activities for military families.

John Wiley & Sons

Article
REACH Publication

Baylor University, KKM
Clemson University, JT
University of Utah, CJH