Do youth development programs matter? An examination of transitions and well-being among military youth
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Richardson, E. W., Mallette, J. K., O'Neal, C. W., & Mancini, J. A. (2016). Do youth development programs matter? An examination of transitions and well-being among military youth. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(6), 1765-1776. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-016-0361-5
Abstract Created by REACH:
Well-being is of paramount concern during adolescence, particularly for military youth who experience unique stressors associated with military lifestyle. This study examined the relationship between risk factors (e.g., parental deployment), participation in Army sponsored extracurricular programs, and youth well-being in a sample of 11 to 14 year-olds. Results suggested that supportive social relationships were related to improved well-being. Although several risk factors were related to decreased well-being, participation in extracurricular activities buffered the negative impact of these risk factors.
Focus:
Mental health
Youth
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Child of a service member or veteran
Military families
Population:
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Methodology:
Cross-Sectional Study
Authors:
Richardson, Evin W., Mallette, Jacquelyn K., O’Neal, Catherine Walker, Mancini, Jay A.
Abstract:
The current correlational study examines the association between internal and external military family contextual factors (e.g., parental rank, having multiple military parents, school changes, living more than 30 min from a military installation, parental deployment, relationship provisions) and military youth well-being outcomes (i.e., depressive symptoms, anxiety, self-efficacy) in a sample of children of active duty military members (i.e., military youth). Data from 749 military youth, ages 11–14, were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The model explained a reasonable amount of the variation in the outcomes of interest (r-square statistics for depressive symptoms, anxiety, and self-efficacy were .151, .018, and .086, respectively). Results indicated that military youth who reported more social provisions experienced fewer depressive symptoms and more self-efficacy. Youth who reported certain military risk factors (i.e., parental rank; living farther from the military installation; multiple school changes) were associated with decreased well-being (i.e., more depressive symptoms and anxiety and less self-efficacy). However, findings suggest that participation in military programs may serve a moderating or buffering factor for these youth.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Springer
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, ER
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, JM
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, CO
Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, JM
Keywords:
anxiety, chi-squared test, correlation (statistics), mental depression, mental depression -- research, military dependents -- psychology, path analysis (statistics), probability theory, self-efficacy, united states army, variables (mathematics), families of military personnel, sample size (statistics), well-being, structual equation modeling, data analysis software, descriptive statistics
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary