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Military REACH Publications
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1.Differences in employment-related outcomes across paid and unpaid internships
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2.Should I stay or should I go? The collective effects of work, family, and mental health on military career intentions among active-duty and National Guard and Reserve soldiers
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3.Adolescent difficulties during parental deployment and anxiety: A focus on measurement and family processes
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4.Pregnancy in the military context: Pregnancy and postpartum experiences among servicewomen and civilian spouses of service members
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5.Assessing food insecurity and related concepts: Moving beyond prevalence to understand the landscape of food security and inform policy initiatives
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6.Empowering through education: Frameworks for relationship education, parent education, and sexual violence prevention
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7.A review of evidence-based strategies to help military families navigate relocation
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8.Should I stay or should I go? An examination of the effects of work and family factors on active-duty and National Guard and Reserve service members’ military career intentions
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9.Helping school personnel prevent and de-escalate peer aggression: An overview of existing research and insights into programming
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Research summaries convey terminology used by the scientists who authored the original research article; some terminology may not align with the federal government's mandated language for certain constructs.
Forging Bonds: The Importance of Unit Cohesion
Imagine an efficient, well-oiled machine standing against any challenge with unshakable unity - this is steadfast military unit cohesion in action. Unit cohesion is a type of social support defined by how strongly military members feel connected to and supported by their unit (Armistead-Jehle et al., 2011). The concept of unit cohesion can be broken down into two types, peer-to-peer and peer-to-leadership (i.e., horizontal and vertical cohesion, respectively; Siebold & Kelly, 1988). Though they work together to create unit cohesion, it’s important to understand that horizontal and vertical unit cohesion each impact Service members in different ways. As unit cohesion develops, it can have a great impact on Service members’ overall well-being. Specifically, higher levels of unit cohesion were related to the likelihood of Service members having a supportive network for emotional, informational, tangible, and mental health help-seeking needs (Barr et al., 2023). Essentially, close bonds within the unit help Service members build support systems to cope with various challenges of military life. Furthermore, Rugo and colleagues (2020) found that Soldiers who reported greater unit cohesion tended to indicate decreased likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms or suicidal ideation. In this article, we will explore the elements of both horizontal and vertical unit cohesion and examine their impact on the well-being of Service members. Horizontal Unit Cohesion Horizontal unit cohesion refers to peer-to-peer support within a military unit (i.e., excluding leadership and higher-ranking officials; Campbell-Sills et al., 2022; Siebold & Kelly, 1988). Horizontal unit cohesion has been identified as a protective factor for Service members exposed to combat, such that unit cohesion protects against the harmful effects of combat exposure on Service members’ PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts (Campbell-Sills et al., 2022). These findings mean that having a close, supportive group of peers within a unit can reduce the impact of mental health challenges for Service members at home and abroad. Support networks for Service members highlight the impact of peer connections on mental health, emphasizing how camaraderie and mutual understanding within a unit can alleviate challenges faced by Service members both during and after deployment. The concept of horizontal unit cohesion becomes apparent when thinking about real-life scenarios. Take a look at the fictional Service member, Specialist Davis, who seems to be struggling while on deployment. Specialist Davis finds herself face-to-face with the stress and pressure of combat. Sitting alone, Davis feels reality weighing on her. Noticing Davis’s isolation, Specialist Bradley and a few unit members approach her, not to give orders, but to offer something far more impactful—genuine, peer-to-peer support. They start up a card game at Davis’s table and begin to share their own struggles and vulnerabilities, recounting battle stories and cracking jokes to help ease the emotional tension. This informal, yet earnest conversation provides Davis with a sense of understanding and comfort, lifting some of that heavy emotional burden. Vertical Unit Cohesion Vertical unit cohesion refers to peer-to-leadership support within a military unit, encompassing both leadership and subordinate roles (Campbell-Sills et al., 2022; Siebold & Kelly, 1988). Vertical unit cohesion is invaluable as it fosters a deep sense of trust and mutual respect, both essential for units performing complex and high-pressure assignments. Charbonneau & Wood (2018) found that perceptions of fairness within the unit and the quality of unit leaders serve as important contributors to Service members’ perceptions of unit cohesion. Similar to horizontal unit cohesion, vertical unit cohesion has been shown to buffer the harmful effects of combat exposure on psychological symptoms for Service members (Campbell-Sills, et al., 2022). Beyond mental health, leadership quality in vertical relationships (i.e. peer-to-leadership) is associated with Service members’ overall emotional attachment to the military, which may have consequences for their decision to stay in the military (Charbonneau & Wood, 2018). This concept can be vividly illustrated in the fictional scenario where Sergeant Martinez’s leadership significantly impacts her squad’s morale and cohesion. Sergeant Martinez, leading her squad through a grueling training exercise, notices Private Lee struggling and falls behind. Sensing his exhaustion, she pauses the exercise and gathers the squad for a break and begins to share her own challenging experiences. She encourages the squad to share their worst training exercise and how they survived. As they open up, Lee feels a renewed sense of connection. This informal exchange uplifts his spirits and strengthens his bond with the squad, helping him complete the exercise with renewed determination. Horizontal and vertical unit cohesion work together to create a supportive and resilient military environment. Horizontal cohesion, peer-to-peer support, helps Service members address the psychological challenges of combat and deployment. Vertical cohesion, peer-to-leadership support, builds essential trust and collaboration for success as well as emotional well-being. Together, these forms of cohesion create a strong foundation for military units ensuring that Service members are not only equipped to handle their responsibilities but also receive the support needed to navigate their challenges. References Armistead‐Jehle, P., Johnston, S. L., Wade, N. G., & Ecklund, C. J. (2011). Posttraumatic stress in U.S. marines: The role of unit cohesion and combat exposure. Journal of Counseling & Development, 89(1), 81–88. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2011.tb00063.x Barr, N., Petry, L., Fulginiti, A., Arora, A., Cederbaum, J., Castro, C., & Rice, E. (2023). Who supports the troops? Social support domains and sources in active duty Army networks. Armed Forces & Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X231182907 Campbell-Sills, L., Flynn, P. J., Choi, K. W., Ng, T. H. H., Aliaga, P. A., Broshek, C., Jain, S., Kessler, R. C., Stein, M. B., & Bliese, P. D. (2022). Unit cohesion during deployment and post-deployment mental health: Is cohesion an individual- or unit-level buffer for combat-exposed soldiers? Psychological Medicine, 52(1), 121-131. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291720001786 Charbonneau, D., & Wood, V. M. (2018). Antecedents and outcomes of unit cohesion and affective commitment to the army. Military Psychology, 30(1), 43–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2017.1420974 Rugo, K.F., Leifker, F. R., Drake-Brooks, M. M., Snell, M. B., Bryan, C. J., & Bryan, A. O. (2020). Unit cohesion and social support as protective factors against suicide risk and depression among National Guard service members. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 39(3), 214-228. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2020.39.3.214 Siebold, G. L., & Kelly, D. R. (1988). Development of the Combat Platoon Cohesion Questionnaire (Report No. 817). Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA204917.pdf
THEORY SERIES: FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY IN A MILITARY CONTEXT
This month, Military REACH continues our Theory Series, where we break down the common frameworks family scientists use to better understand family experiences. Specifically, we will focus on Family Systems Theory (Kerr & Bowen, 1988). We will provide an overview of the model with examples from a vignette, connect it to military family experiences, and suggest how military families can use knowledge of Family Systems Theory to overcome the challenges they face. Family Systems Theory Overview Vignette: The 2002 Disney film Lilo and Stitch follows the adventures of Lilo and Nani Pelekai, two Hawaiian sisters, who must look out for one another after their parents die in an accident. Nani, the older sibling, becomes Lilo’s primary caretaker. To complicate things, the sisters are forced to adopt Stitch, an alien who crash-landed on Earth, as their pet. Throughout the film, the Lilo and Nani navigate their grief and adjust to their new family structure. Lilo and Stitch highlights the challenges that arise when life throws you curveballs, but also gives hope that family members can work together to overcome obstacles and create a new normal. According to Family Systems Theory, a family system is a collection of interdependent family members who seek to maintain a balance in overall family functioning. Each family member adopts a role (e.g., parent, child, sibling) based on the behavior they exhibit when interacting with other family members. These interactions can take place among subsystems of family members (e.g., parent-child, spouse-spouse, sibling-sibling) or among the family system as a whole. Key principles of Family Systems Theory (Smith & Hamon, 2017, Chapter 5): The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The family system is not merely a collection of independent family members. Rather, family members are interdependent, and their interactions and experiences contribute to family functioning as a whole. Each member of the Pelekai family takes on an individual role (i.e., older sister/guardian, younger sister/dependent, and alien/pet). In addition to members as individuals, the network of relationships among Lilo, Nani, and Stitch (i.e., sister-sister, guardian-dependent, owner-pet) further constitutes their “family” unit. Individual and family behavior must be understood in context. Each individual is a cog in the machine of the family. Understanding an individual family member’s actions or behavior requires considering their needs, perspectives, or experiences. After losing their parents, Nani struggles to adapt to her new role as a parental figure and Lilo struggles to process the loss of her parents. The sisters’ individual stress influences their interactions with each another and leads to tension in their relationship. A family is a goal-seeking system. Family members work together to achieve common goals. These goals change as families grow and develop over time. At the threat of Lilo’s removal from Nani’s custody and placement into foster care, the sisters work to prove that Nani is a competent caretaker for Lilo. Families are self-regulating systems driven by feedback. Families respond to change through positive feedback loops (i.e., change that sustains or enhances) or negative feedback loops (i.e., change that causes fluctuations in family functioning). Though Stitch is initially a self-serving alien who creates chaos for the Pelekai sisters, Lilo’s repeated attempts at teaching Stitch kindness eventually lead the alien to understand the value of family love. Family systems seek to achieve equilibrium. In response to change, family systems look for stability and return to the status quo (i.e., equilibrium). Despite the wild adventures Lilo, Nani, and Stitch embark on throughout the film, in the end, their small family finds balance and creates a new normal. Family Systems Theory and Military Families Family Systems Theory emphasizes the importance of understanding the experiences of family members in the context of the family as a whole. This perspective of interdependence is particularly relevant for military families. For example, though Service members are deployed overseas and technically independent of their families, the at-home family members must respond to the stress and effects of deployment on their lives. Another example of familial interdependence is the lasting effects of trauma. Service members and Veterans who suffer traumatic experiences may develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD and its related symptoms (e.g., increased sensitivity, shorter temper) can alter how Service members and Veterans interact with their family members and it can affect their daily lives. Thus, just as a pebble tossed into a pond creates ripples regardless of the pebble’s size, individual experiences – military-specific or otherwise – have consequences for all family members, interactions among family members, and family functioning (Monk & Marini, 2022). Implications of Family Systems Theory for Military Families Family systems theory is a useful tool for military families to understand how to respond to stressful events. Here are some points your family can keep in mind moving forward: A family is a team. Think of each family member as a puzzle piece. Together, the pieces form a completed puzzle. One family member’s struggles can affect their relationships with and the well-being of other family members. Remembering that you are all on the same team and working together to support one another through family challenges (e.g., trauma, transition out of the military), can boost individual and family resilience. Instability doesn’t last forever. Change is normal, whether the result of stressful events (e.g., deployment) or common family transitions (e.g., parenthood, children leaving for college). Though changes can disrupt a family’s functioning, families have a natural tendency to return to stability. Like the pebble tossed into the pond, ripples will form – but, with time, they will also cease. In some cases, families can stabilize on their own by reevaluating their needs and collective goals and proceeding accordingly. Other times, families may be unsure how to overcome especially stressful circumstances on their own. Instead of a pebble, think of a boulder dropped into a pond. This time, the ripples are waves, and they may overturn your boat. During uncertain periods, seeking professional guidance (e.g., marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling) may help your family overcome stress and change and create a new normal. Communication is key. No one is a mind reader. When stress arises, family members need to communicate their needs. Doing so is easier when families establish clear communication plans and boundaries during periods of stability. Make it a habit to check in with one another and openly communicate your feelings. Ask what may be causing stress in your family members’ lives, so you’ll know when to be supportive. For example, when deployment looms, talk about what topics you will want to discuss during the deployment, how frequently you want to keep in touch, and which topics you want to wait to talk about until after the deployment.
THEORY SERIES: ABC-X MODEL OF FAMILY STRESS
In family science, theory is a useful tool that provides a framework to understand family experiences and create resources or interventions that promote individual and family functioning. However, trying to understand theory and how it can be applied to families\u2019 everyday lives \u2013 either by families or by others working on their behalf \u2013 can be an intimidating task. Thus, Military REACH wants to help break down common family science theories into more digestible terms. In this piece, we will provide an overview of the ABC-X Model of Family Stress, connect the theory to military family experiences, and suggest how families can use knowledge of the theory to understand and adapt to their experiences. \n\n\n\n\n#### ABC-X Model of Family Stress Overview\n\n\n\n\n Hill\u2019s (1958) ABC-X model of Family Stress is a framework for explaining the processes through which families respond to stressful events and the resulting outcomes for family well-being. The ABC-X model can be broken down into four key components: (A) *the stressor event*, (B) *family\u2019s resources*, (C) *family\u2019s perception of the stressor*, and (X) *crisis* (Price at al., 2021; Weber, 2011). \n\n\n\n\n**ABC-X Model of Family Stress (Hill, 1958)**\n\n\n\nA. *The Stressor Event.* Stressor events are events that bring about change in the family. They can include both positive (e.g., birth of a new child) and negative life events (e.g., loss of job) that trigger familial stress. Stressors can also be either normative (i.e., common experiences, such as the death of a loved one or moving residence) or non-normative (i.e., unusual experiences, such as a natural disaster).\n\nB. *Family\u2019s Resources.* Resources can buffer a stressor\u2019s effects on the family\u2019s ability to cope with it. Resources may lay within individual family members (e.g., financial, educational, health, psychological resources), the family system (e.g., emotional bonds between family members), and/or the community (e.g., religious organizations, schools).\n\nC. *Family\u2019s Perception of the Stressor.* A family\u2019s *perception* of a stressor event can also buffer the event\u2019s effects on the family\u2019s ability to cope. If a family perceives a stressful event more *positively* (i.e., something they can overcome), it may adapt to the stressor successfully. For instance, a family who believes it can solve any problem together may be more likely to adapt positively to the news that it has to relocate for work. Alternatively, families who perceive a stressful event more *negatively* may struggle to adapt. For example, in this case, the family may react to news of relocating for work by avoiding the necessary preparations for moving, which can lead to poor adaptation to the new community after the move. Families\u2019 interpretations of stressful experiences also differ across cultures and value systems.\n\nX. *Crisis.* Crisis occurs when a family is unable to adapt positively to the stressor that brought about change within the family. This change then disrupts family boundaries and roles, as well as individual physical and psychological well-being. For example, after the death of a loved one, family members may struggle to cope with grief. While most family members can return to a sense of normalcy after a while, some people are at risk of complicated grief, meaning their emotions do not improve over time. One or more family members experiencing complicated grief following the stressful experience of losing a loved one is an example of a *crisis*.\n\n\n It\u2019s worth noting that experiencing change does *not* automatically guarantee a family will enter into a crisis. Stress is a normative result of change. We all go through it. Only when we feel the disruption so severely that we could enter a state of crisis do we need further help from family, friends, and community. \n\n\n\n\n#### ABC-X Model and Military Families\n\n\n\n\n Military families are no strangers to change and can face a variety of stressors from both military-specific and civilian experiences. \n\n\n\n\n\n| Common Military-Specific Stressors |\n| --- |\n| - Frequent relocation for permanent changes of station (PCS) |\n| - Traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, limb loss, combat exposure |\n| - Barriers to spousal employment | \n\n | Common Civilian Stressors |\n| --- |\n| - Divorce |\n| - Death of a loved one |\n| - Mental or physical illness |\n| - Financial problems |\n\n\n\n Thankfully, military families have access to a variety of resources to help take control of their circumstances. These resources, paired with the family\u2019s perception of the stressful experience, can help the family adapt and avoid a crisis. \n\n\n\n*Examples of resources and perceptions that positively influence military families\u2019 response to a stressful event*\n\n\n\n\n| Resources |\n| --- |\n| [- Counseling services](https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/) |\n| [- Parenting programs]( https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/parenting-and-children/parenting-and-children-resources/) |\n| - Military community support |\n| - TRICARE health insurance |\n| [- Spousal employment programs](https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil/msep/) | \n\n | Perceptions |\n| --- |\n| - Mission-oriented mindset |\n| - Nationalism/sense of duty |\n| - Family framed as a team |\n| - Celebrating new opportunities |\n\n\n\n\n\n#### Implications of the ABC-X Model for military families\n\n\n\n\n What can military families do to apply the ABC-X Model of Family Stress to their lives? The ABC-X Model highlights the importance of drawing on your family\u2019s strengths and using your resources to allow you to adapt and overcome when faced with a stressful experience. Equally important is your family\u2019s framing of the stressful event. Is it debilitating \u2013 something you cannot overcome? Or is it an opportunity for you all to build resilience and come out stronger than before? \n\n\n Here are some questions to consider when stressful events arise. They may help you and your family think through your resources and perception of the event so you can proceed accordingly: \n\n\n* What stressful experience has triggered change in my family?\n* What\u2019s the meaning behind this stressful experience? Why was it stressful?\n* Does this stressful experience have long-term consequences for my family?\n* Does this stressful experience present new opportunities for my family to grow?\n* What steps can my family take to reduce this stress in the short and long term?\n* To whom can my family go for support?\n* What resources does the military offer for families facing this type of stress?\n\n\n The ABC-X Model shows us that supporting families through stress is a multifaceted process requiring access to support and positive perceptions of the stressful event in order for the family to overcome stress together. If your family experiences a change that causes stress, be aware of the resources available to you. Discuss the change with your family members, as well as how to frame the change as an opportunity to grow and/or achieve a common goal. \n\n\n To learn more about the resources available for military families experiencing a wide range of stressors, check out Military REACH\u2019s [Community Connections page](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/resources.jsp). \n\n\n\n\n
FATHERS IN THE MILITARY
Balancing parental and work responsibilities is difficult enough – but did you know that around 37% of the United States Armed Forces’ 1.3 million active-duty Service members have children? Thankfully, there’s a wealth of research on these families’ experiences. Today, we’ll consider research regarding fathers’ experiences in the military, paying particular attention to how fathers navigate parenting during challenges like deployment and reintegration. We’ll discuss some of the difficulties military fathers face during deployment and reintegration, along with how they affect military fathers and their children. We’ll also provide parenting resources intended to help balance work and family life. Common challenges among military fathers and how they impact the family Service member fathers face many parenting difficulties during their military careers, but two of the biggest challenges are deployment and reintegration. Deployment is a stressful time for military families. The extended separation they face can take an especially heavy toll on fathers. Research shows that when fathers perceive a threat to their safety during deployment, their parenting becomes less sensitive. This, in turn, may cause their children to exhibit social and emotional difficulties (e.g., poor peer interactions, unhealthy emotional expression) as well as behavioral problems (e.g., hyperactivity, defiance). Similarly, deployed fathers who have difficulty managing their emotions may engage in more coercive parenting (e.g., irritability, bossiness, persistent negativity). Coercive parenting, in turn, is linked to poorer overall well-being for children, with outcomes including internalizing (e.g., depression, anxiety) and externalizing behaviors (e.g., aggression, hyperactivity). Reintegration, the period of a Service member’s adjustment to “normal” life after deployment, also poses challenges for returning fathers. Reintegration, like deployment, is often associated with increased stress for the entire family. Returning fathers report less patience, more irritability, and more communication problems with their family during reintegration. Research further finds that military fathers’ mental health concerns (e.g., depression, posttraumatic stress disorder) can also contribute to their children’s’ behavioral problems years after reintegration. Additionally, stress during reintegration sometimes leads to less emotionally sensitive parenting (e.g., less supportive, not supervising children as needed) by military fathers, which can have consequences for child adjustment (e.g., behavioral problems) during reintegration as well. How fathers can mitigate the risks of military-related parenting challenges Being a father and Service member does not automatically result in negative consequences for your children: frequent father involvement contributes to better parent and child well-being. Specifically, when fathers spend more time with their children both at home (e.g., recreation, shared activities) and during deployment (e.g., setting time each week for video calls) their well-being is greater. Spending time with their child also gives fathers untold opportunity to model positive parenting practices, such as supporting the child’s decision-making and encouraging positive behavior. Military-related stressors such as long periods of separation put military fathers’ own well-being at risk. Given this reality, it’s important that fathers care for themselves. Practicing mindfulness and self-care are useful ways for fathers to attend to their own emotional needs; the practices also serve as useful models for children. Furthermore, fathers should consider professional help to address their mental health concerns: such help in turn makes them better equipped to care for their children. Beyond mental health, fathers may choose to address the quality of their parental relationships. Evidence suggests that a father’s relationship with his child’s mother affects the child’s mental health (e.g., depression). Military fathers might therefore invest in their romantic relationships with couples counseling or relationship education in order to reduce potential negative consequences for their children. Lastly, fathers can also mitigate the risk of parenting challenges by attending parenting programs. The Department of Defense has invested in evidence-based parenting programs and resources to promote military family readiness and resilience. These programs address a variety of family-related topics, including parent-child communication, bonding with children, and finding a new “normal” upon returning from deployment. To learn more about these programs, check out the resources listed at Military OneSource. Despite facing many challenges in balancing work and family responsibilities, military fathers continue to be resilient and positively impact their children. By using an abundance of resources for military families and improving their parenting skills as a result, fathers can ease the burden of Service-related challenges borne by both the family and themselves.
FAMILY SCIENCE 101: WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT MATTERS
Family Science 101: What It Is and Why It Matters By: Allison Tidwell Science refers to the systematic pursuit of knowledge related to phenomena of interest through observation, theoretical explanation, and experimentation. Although many people may think about the physical sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry) when they hear the term, science is applied in a wide variety of fields related to the human experience as well. Family science is one such discipline. Despite the extensive research conducted in family science, it is an underdiscussed field by the general public. As a team comprised primarily of family scientists, Military REACH is dedicated to sharing knowledge and insight from family research that focuses specifically on military families. So, let’s review what family science is and why it matters. What is Family Science? Born in the early 1900s, family science is the discipline in which scientific principles are applied to the study of families, interpersonal relationships, and the dynamic environments in which they interact. Family science draws upon many other disciplines (e.g., sociology, psychology, home economics) to capture a more holistic understanding of families’ lived experiences. According to the National Council on Family Relations, a professional organization focused on family research, practice, and education, there are five distinct characteristics that make family science a unique discipline. Family science is: 1. Focused on relationships between individuals, family groups, and their environmental contexts. 2. Strengths-oriented and focused on highlighting a family’s strengths so they can be sustainable and self-sufficient. 3. Preventative when addressing family issues by examining healthy family functioning. 4. Translation of research findings to practical applications. 5. Evidence-based through rigorous scientific research. The field of family science covers a wide variety of family-related topics. Some examples include: • Parenting and parent-child relationships • Romantic relationships and marriage • Human development • Early childhood care and education • Mental health, physical health, and well-being • Stressful life events, such as divorce or adverse childhood experiences • Military family functioning • Individual and family resilience Who are Family Scientists? Family scientists work to better understand family experiences and promote individual and family well-being. These scientists play a key role in furthering our knowledge of family related issues through observation and experimentation, but not every family scientist works in research. Family scientists also include those professionals who apply evidence-based interventions or counseling to families, educate family practitioners, and inform social policies. Examples of professional fields which stem from family science include family life education, marriage and family therapy, social work, family life coaching, and family policymaking. As mentioned before, Military REACH is a specific example of the work family scientists do, as most of our team is comprised of family scientists. Why does family science matter? As with any science, it is necessary to put what is learned into practice (Does this sound familiar? Putting research into practice is one of the main goals of Military REACH!). Family science research provides detailed insight into family adversities, risks, and protective factors related to these adversities, and how interactions between family members and their environmental context affect their well-being. This insight is particularly valuable to informing both practice and policy: Informing Practice • For helping professionals, family science research is used to develop and evaluate family services and programming. Evidence-based services or programs (i.e., those which are supported by research) are preferred when working with families because there is research to support their effectiveness in addressing the issue or concern. Further, once a program has been developed, studies can evaluate the efficacy of the program in achieving its targeted goals. If those goals are not met, helping professionals may then identify how to revise the program to better serve families. • Beyond program evaluation, research can also identify potential risk and protective factors for certain populations. Family scientists can then account for potential risk or protective factors to properly adapt the delivery of services to the unique needs of an individual or family. When reviewing and evaluating military family research publications, the Military REACH team identifies and encourages opportunities to incorporate key findings into family practice. Informing Policy • Scientific evidence is also valuable in the development, reform, and implementation of family-related policies at the local, state, and federal levels. When policymakers are informed about key family issues and family processes, they can better create policy solutions that address the needs of those most affected by the issue. Further, research on the effectiveness of a policy to solve an issue may indicate whether policy reform is required. Not all researchers provide in-depth policy recommendations related to their findings, so Military REACH and other mediating organizations identify and advocate for evidence-based family policy development and reform. Family science, although unfamiliar to some, offers valuable contributions to the livelihood and well-being of individuals and families. This field is continuously expanding our understanding of family experiences and will continue to inform how interventions and policies may best mitigate risks and bolster family strengths. To learn more about family science and key research topics in the field, you can visit the website of the National Council on Family Relations. References National Council on Family Relations (2021). About family science. https://www.ncfr.org/about/what-family-science National Council on Family Relations (2021). Key terms of family science identity. https://www.ncfr.org/about/what-family-science/key-terms National Council on Family Relations (2021). More about family science: History & name. https://www.ncfr.org/about/what-family-science/history-name#History Formatting Notes: *Okay, I’m no formatting goddess so I’m not sure this will be feasible, but I would love to have a section/column on one side of the page that has quotes from what family science means and why it matters from family scientists ourselves! The contents would include: Family scientists’ perspectives on the importance of family science research: “Family science is the study of people from conception to death – learning, researching, and understanding humans physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and developmentally. It is so important because we all either (a) are a part of a family, and understanding our family members is important for cohesion and growth, or (b) if we do not identify as having a family, most people do work or interact with people who are part of a family. Therefore, understanding people, how they interact, why they do what they do, and most importantly what constructs/characteristics help us to be most successful and adaptive in life is important.– Haley S. “Family science is important because it is applicable to everyone; people are inherently relational and family science explores how healthy and unhealthy relational patterns influence human well-being. It is such a practical and universal topic!” – Ben B. *Here’s an image of what I think it could look like (or at least the general vibe):
CHILDREN’S SELF-COMPASSION: COPING WITH PARENTAL MENTAL ILLNESS
In 2014, the National Survey of Drug Use and Health found that 12.8 million parents (18.2%) in the United States had a clinically diagnosed mental illness. Mental illnesses commonly experienced by these parents include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder. Given that one family member’s mental illness affects other family members in the household, the children of parents with a mental illness are at risk for adverse outcomes. Children of parents with a mental illness may face a variety of unique challenges, including the child taking on a caregiving role for their parent, social isolation, persistent trust issues, shame, and a strained parent-child relationship. Furthermore, children who have a parent that suffers with a mental illness may be at an increased risk for developing mental, developmental, or emotional challenges in adulthood. So, for children who may struggle to adapt to their parent’s mental illness, what steps can be taken to promote well-being? Part of the answer lies in the construct of self-compassion. Self-compassion is one’s ability to be kind, understanding, and accepting of themselves in response to a personal failure or imperfection. Self-compassion is important for children of parents suffering with mental illness because it is a skill that can be learned to help bolster mental health. Recent research has helped to identify three key themes of self-compassion that are related to improved children’s well-being: (1) common humanity vs. isolation, (2) mindfulness vs. concealing emotions, and (3) self-kindness vs. self-judgement. Each of these themes closely relate to the experiences of children of parents with a mental illness and highlight opportunities to help this population overcome the challenges they face. Common Humanity vs. Isolation Common humanity refers to the belief that all people experience suffering. Children of parents with a mental illness who hold this belief may feel less shame regarding their parents’ condition and may disclose their related experiences with peers. However, many of these children isolate themselves from others (i.e., not telling friends or peers that their mom or dad has a mental illness) because they feel something is “wrong” or “different” about their family compared to others. This perspective may reflect social stigmas regarding people with mental illness and how those stigmas contribute to internalized shame for family members. However, disclosure of family circumstances and personal struggles among children who share the same experience of having a parent with mental illness helps these children to develop their own sense of common humanity as they learn that they are not alone. Mindfulness vs. Concealing Emotions Mindfulness refers to the balanced observation of negative thoughts and feelings without denial or suppression and contributes to positive well-being. This is something that many children of parents with mental illness struggle to do, as some report concealing their emotions to cope with their experiences (which may contribute to poorer well-being), rather than facing them directly. However, many other children engage in tasks that help them be mindful of their feelings, such as disclosure to a trusted friend, journaling, or listening to music. Mindfulness is a teachable coping skill that can be incorporated into children’s daily routines to better monitor their feelings and acknowledge when they may need to reach out for help from others. Self-kindness vs. Self-judgment Self-kindness refers to the ability to offer oneself warmth and understanding, rather than judgement or criticism, particularly during times of struggle. Some children of parents with mental illness report feeling worthlessness, self-hate, and self-blame, as they assume responsibility for the care and mental health status of their parents. Although avoiding such thoughts can be challenging for these children, some cope by offering condolences to themselves for their struggles. Upon reaching adulthood, the children may establish boundaries with their parents, redistribute responsibility for the well-being of the parents, and invest in positive relationships that foster self-esteem. In this way, self-kindness is a tool to cope with their parents’ mental illness. Overall, children of parents who suffer with a mental illness may face many challenges that place them at risk of developing their own mental health issues later in life. This population is more likely to isolate themselves from peer groups due to feelings of shame, to internalize and dismiss their negative emotions, and to feel undue responsibility (and therefore blame) related to their parents’ mental health concerns. However, there are opportunities to help these children develop a stronger sense of self-compassion. Participating in support groups for children of parents who suffer with a mental illness may offer these children a safe environment to disclose their emotions and recognize that they are not alone. Furthermore, teaching mindfulness strategies through targeted activities (e.g., meditation, art, journaling) may help children better recognize and manage their emotions. Finally, helping children realize that they are not entirely responsible for their parents’ well-being, and giving themselves room for forgiveness may help to overcome any sense of blame or shame they may feel. Importantly, there are resources available both for children and for their parents struggling with mental health concerns. Resources and services for parents are targeted toward improving their individual and family well-being through organizations like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Mental Health America, and the Center for Parent Information and Resources. Children of parents with a mental illness face a greater risk of mental health challenges, but they can overcome the obstacles they face to lead happy, fulfilling lives. However, they have unique needs that must be addressed to promote positive adjustment. Although there may be several ways to address these unique needs, by refining self-compassion skills and utilizing available resources and services, children of parents with a mental illness may find a path to a fulfilling life despite the many challenges they face. References Dunkley-Smith, A. J., Sheen, J. A., Ling, M., & Reupert, A. E. (2020). A scoping review of self-compassion in qualitative studies about children’s experiences of parental mental illness. Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01560-x Neff, K. (2021). Definition of self-compassion. Self-Compassion. https://self-compassion.org/the-three-elements-of-self-compassion-2/ Stambaugh, L. F., Forman-Hoffman, V., Williams, J., Pemberton, M. R., Ringeisen, H., Hedden, S. L., & Bose, J. (2017). Prevalence of serious mental illness among parents in the United States: Results from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, 2008-2014. Annals of Epidemiology, 27(3), 222-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2016.12.005
VOTING: OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO MILITARY SPOUSE ELECTION ENGAGEMENT
The next presidential election is right around the corner, sparking an increased interest among citizens to exercise their right to vote. But for military families, voting isn’t as easy as walking up to the polls and casting a ballot – there are many barriers to voting for military-connected citizens. In fact, a national study found that spouses of active duty Service members were 21% less likely to vote when compared to their civilian peers, and this was noted at multiple levels of elections including local, state, and federal. This article will explore why military spouses participate less in elections, barriers to voting among military spouses, and the resources and tips available to facilitate the voting process. To Vote or not to Vote? This is a serious question that most U.S. citizens may ask themselves. In a recent national study of 2,000 military-connected individuals, military spouses identified their specific reasons for abstaining from voting. These reasons included simply not wanting to vote, feeling that their vote did not matter, and not knowing how to obtain an absentee ballot. Some military spouses reported feeling discouraged about voting because they perceived that casting a ballot online or sending an absentee ballot in the mail lacked safety and reliability. Additionally, only 27% of spouses reported that they felt encouraged to vote by the Department of Defense, whereas 70% of active duty Service members reported receiving this encouragement. Thus, it is understandable that many spouses choose not to participate in voting, but for those who do, there are many challenges to navigate. Voting Barriers for Military Spouses As mentioned above, there are multiple challenges facing military spouses who want to participate in voting. Here are just a few of the barriers they face in that process: • Living away from declared residency: Many military families are stationed far from the state of their declared permanent residency – sometimes a state away, and sometimes on another continent entirely. This proves challenging for submitting absentee ballots across both state and international lines. • Not enough time: Because absentee ballots must travel to the appropriate district prior to the elections, some ballots may not arrive to election officials in time to be counted. • Lack of knowledge about the absentee process: Some spouses are unaware of how to receive and then send off an absentee ballot from their current location. • Few resources tailored to spouses: Many military installations facilitate the voting process for active duty Service members with voting assistance programs, but do not offer the same services to military spouses. Resources Available to Encourage Military Spouses to Vote So, knowing the challenge ahead, what can military spouses do to prepare themselves for the upcoming elections? • First and foremost, register to vote with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission , which also provides additional resources for registration specific to military voters . • Start early: The Department of Defense and Federal Voting Assistance Program provide voting information organized by state, as well as information for overseas voters. Determine exactly what voting policies are in place in your residence state before the election begins to ensure you can send out an absentee ballot with plenty of time for it to be delivered to election officials. • Keep up with election dates: Various election periods occur throughout the year, so consider scheduling election reminders. You can find websites online that offer free election reminder subscriptions, like www.Vote.org . • Educate yourself, then educate others: Sharing is caring, and this is especially true when it comes to making sure that your peers are educated on the election process. Consider advocating for a campaign at your military installation to provide useful information on and resources related to voting for military spouses. References: Button , E. D. & Diallo, A. B. (2020). Voting behavior of active duty military spouses: Trends in interest and participation. Armed Forces & Society. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X19901295 Harris, S. (2018, October 29). Frequent moves and confusing laws often keep military spouses from voting. The American Homefront Project. https://americanhomefront.wunc.org/post/frequent-moves-and-confusing-laws-often-keep-military-spouses-voting Maury, R. V., Stone, B., Birnbaum, N. G., Bradbard, D., Van Slyke, R. D., & Armstrong, N. (2018). Military families: perceptions, challenges, and barriers to voting participation and absentee voting. Institute for Veterans and Military Families. https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/article/military-families-perceptions-challenges-and-barriers-to-voting-participation-and-absentee-voting/
CONQUERING THE CHALLENGES OF FINDING AND MAINTAINING EMPLOYMENT AS A MILITARY SPOUSE
Though unemployment (i.e., having no job) and underemployment (i.e., not working as much as desired or being over-qualified for a job) are challenges faced by many civilians, the issue is far more prevalent among military spouses. I witnessed this struggle firsthand growing up in a military family. My mother had a college degree in marketing, but none of the jobs she took (e.g., special needs preschool teaching assistant, bank teller, university administrative assistant) were directly related to her initial career field. My mother was lucky, because she succeeded in finding employment with every PCS, even if it wasn’t in her career field of choice. Fast forward a few years and my brother is now a Marine and his partner is in the same boat as my mom, struggling to find employment related to her profession in hospitality management. Because this is such a common occurrence in the military community, it’s important to identify why employment is valuable for spouses, what barriers hold spouses back from pursuing their careers, and what tips and tools are available to help break down those barriers. Why employment matters Research has shown that in addition to the obvious financial benefits to both partners in a relationship being employed, work is a valuable means of self-esteem for military spouses. This sense of personal fulfilment and contribution to the family promotes a strong sense of self and may even reduce relationship conflict. Spouses who are not employed or are underemployed (i.e., not working as much as they want), however, are at a greater risk for depression. Thus, it is imperative that efforts are made to help military spouses gain employment to support individual and family well-being. Barriers to employment Military spouses and Service members have reported several challenges that prevent spouses from finding and maintaining gainful employment, shown in the table below. Barriers to Employment for Military Spouses “Military-first” expectation Military service is prioritized over other aspects of life, including spousal employment. Families are told when and where they will be living and working by the military, which may limit employment opportunities. No opportunities on/around military installations Even in metropolitan areas, many spouses struggle to find employment opportunities in a particular location, especially those in specialized fields. Although some military spouses may find work, it may require long commutes to different cities, or may pay far below what a spouse’s qualifications would normally justify. International work restrictions In some countries, American military spouses stationed on U.S. military installations are not permitted to work off of the installation. This severely restricts what type of employment spouses can attain, as few specialized jobs exist on these installations that may be found otherwise in the host country. Frequent and unpredictable relocations Many employers are wary to hire military spouses because they are aware that military families relocate frequently and they may need to hire a replacement with a quick turnaround. Limitations of licensing Spouses who are employed in particular fields, such as nursing or education, must acquire a license to perform their job. Licensing is typically completed through the state, which poses issues for families who PCS to another state and thus require a new license. Overcoming barriers and achieving employment With all of these barriers in mind, it can be overwhelming to try and decide how to pursue a career as a military spouse. Here are a few tips and tools to help you along the way. Flexibility One helpful way to be appealing to employers is being flexible, especially with your work schedule. If the demands are reasonable for yourself and your family, consider being flexible with work schedules and in the tasks you complete. Transferable skills The choice of career field is critical in maintaining a career as a military spouse. Some jobs have transferable skills that can be adapted to a variety of environments (e.g., nursing, education). Look for career fields that will be relevant in many different locations. High demand jobs As one would imagine, it is generally easier to find jobs when there are many employers looking to hire. The best way to identify high demand jobs is to look at employment conditions (e.g., growing industries, top local employers) in the location where you are stationed. Savings If available with your budget, put money aside in savings in preparation for the next PCS. Employment may be hard to find in your new area, so having money aside can keep your family afloat as you continue your job search. Employment resources Spousal employment has been a problem for many years, and a variety of resources have been created since then to help you along the way. MySECO and MSEP are just two government-sponsored military resources that are available for military spouses of all branches. Check out this article from Military.com for more information on additional spousal employment resources. The journey to employment as a military spouse is long and challenging but can also be fulfilling in the end. So don’t give up hope – opportunities are out there waiting for you! It’s just a matter of putting your resources to work to make it happen. Good luck! Burke, J., & Miller, A. R. (2018). The effects of job relocation on spousal careers: Evidence from military change of station moves. Economic Inquiry, 56(2), 1261-1277. https://www.doi.org/10.1111/ecin.12529 Huffman, A. H., Dunbar, N., Billington, A. G., & Howes, S. S. (2019). Soldiers’ perceptions of military spouses’ career experiences. Military Psychology, 31(6), 510-522. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2019.1676601 Lara-Cinisomo, S., Han, B., & Neuhausen, R. (2019). Exploring the role of depressive symptoms, service members, and spousal demographic characteristics on military spousal employment. Armed Forces & Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X19848013
ADAPTING PARENTING SKILLS
After Deployment: Adaptive Parenting Tools (ADAPT) is an intervention-based program designed to add parenting tools to your tool belt by enhancing parenting skills. ADAPT was specifically created for military families with the main goal of promoting healthy parent-child relationships. ADAPT is a 14-week program that includes 2-hour sessions each week. Research has shown that there are several benefits to participating in the ADAPT program. For example, there was an increase in effective parenting (e.g., child skill encouragement) for mothers and improved child adjustment (e.g., having friends at school). Because access to the program is currently limited to specific locations (see information at the end for current locations), this article will highlight some of the skills that are taught in ADAPT to pinpoint specific strategies for promoting connections with your child and healthy development. Family Problem Solving What is it: Involving children in the discussion of problems that arise in your family, and collectively finding a resolution together, can teach your child to think critically and find creative solutions. Be sure to include your child in these discussions only if the topic is developmentally appropriate. Try this: If your family struggles to keep up with daily household tasks, ask your child what they can do to be a part of accomplishing them. Consider creating a chore list with your child that includes age appropriate responsibilities that allow them to be a part of the solution to the family problem. Encouragement What is it: Teaching through encouragement requires reassurance and support from the parent, particularly when assisting a child with problem solving or tasks outside of his or her abilities. Try this: Read a book with your child that is at his or her reading level but that also has unfamiliar words. This strategy can help them read independently, but also become comfortable with asking for help when needed. Don’t forget to cheer them on when they are getting the words they already know! Monitoring What is it: Monitoring involves the parents’ supervision and knowledge about their child’s activities. Try this: During deployment, consider creating a calendar of your child’s daily activities using an online resource like Google calendar. This way both the at-home parent and the deployed parent are aware of their child’s routines. This can also prompt important conversations with your partner including discussion about your child’s peer group and their level of involvement in extracurricular activities (e.g., are they overscheduled?) Positive Involvement What is it: Research has shown that an overly strict approach to discipline has limited effectiveness on teaching children desired behaviors. Instead, be consistent in the behaviors you do and do not want your child to engage in; if discipline is necessary, calmly tell your child what they did was wrong and what the consequences will be for their actions. Try this: Be responsive to the needs (physical and emotional) of your child and simultaneously set and enforce boundaries consistently. Emotional Socialization What is it: Emotional socialization is the process of teaching children how to understand and express their emotions. Try this: When your child is upset and cries, begin by comforting them and calm your child down by instructing them to take deep breaths. Once your child is calm, ask them to identify their feelings and what caused them to become upset. If they do not know the name of their emotion, help them learn the appropriate term (e.g., by using emojis coupled with a conversation) and encourage them to explain why they are feeling that particular emotion. It is important to remember that these practices are most effective when implemented long-term. Consistency is key, so keep trying even when you feel discouraged! Although it is unrealistic to begin implementing every parenting practice at once, consider choosing one area for improvement, and work to integrate new techniques into your parenting tool belt over time. Note: ADAPT for Active Duty is available at Fort Bragg (North Carolina) and Fort Campbell (Kentucky-Tennessee). If you are interested in the ADAPT program, but are unable to access the intervention in your area, consider implementing a few of the practices we mentioned above.
POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a challenge that some military service members and their families face. PTSD can strain familial relationships and negatively affect family well-being. There is no need to fret, however, because I will tell you how strengthening couple/parent relationships may help minimize the strain PTSD may place on your family. Research has shown that parental PTSD was associated with poor child well-being (e.g., self-esteem), increased parental supervision, and harsher parenting. However, there is still some good news. Although parental PTSD was associated with poor child well-being, research suggests that parenting behaviors are, at least, partially responsible for child well-being. This means that PTSD in and of itself does not mean doom and gloom for children, but instead the parenting behaviors you employ may improve child well-being. But wait, there is more good news! Research has also shown that couple relationship satisfaction was associated with more effective parenting behaviors, which in turn was associated with greater child well-being. In other words, focusing on your relationship can positively impact child well-being. So, how can you improve your parenting behaviors? Focusing on the couple relationship may be the first step in addressing the negative effects of PTSD on parenting and child well-being. Plan a regular date night (e.g., movie night, explore local hiking trails, visit a museum together, attend a community event) engaging in novel activities that both partners will enjoy to bolster relationship satisfaction. The management of PTSD symptoms through therapy or group programs may translate into improved parenting behaviors and thus better child well-being. Explore treatment options in your community through maketheconnection.net Explore opportunities to improve parenting behaviors (e.g., problem-solving, discipline) through program participation. Integrate more positive parenting behaviors like: Praise for children acting appropriately Follow through with consequences for inappropriate behavior Regularly communicate with older children/adolescents about their friends, interests, and extracurricular activities RECENT STORIES Related Stories in References Gewirtz, A. H., DeGarmo, D. S., & Zamir, O. (2018). Testing a military family stress model. Family process, 57(2), 415-431. Link to Source Giff, S. T., Renshaw, K. D., & Allen, E. S. (2019). Post-deployment parenting in military couples: Associations with service members’ PTSD symptoms. Journal of Family Psychology, 33(2), 166-175. Link to Source
LET’S TALK ABOUT SLEEP
You may know that the average adult needs around 7-9 hours of sleep each day for proper functioning. But, did you know that your relationship with your significant other and some of the choices you make while awake impact the quality of your sleep? Recent research has identified two salient factors that affect sleep patterns among military couples: loneliness and alcohol consumption. Loneliness and sleep A recent study found that service members and spouses who shared of a positive event (e.g., a good day at work) with their partner and perceived that their partner responded in a supportive manner reported less loneliness and more intimacy with their partner. In turn, those who reported less loneliness generally reported better sleep. This suggests that couples in healthy relationship that are characterized by connection and intimacy may have better sleep. So, how can you tackle loneliness and potentially improve your sleep along the way? Start small. Tell your partner (or a friend or family member) about a positive experience you have had, which may build connection and intimacy. Ask loved ones intentional questions to spark positive conversations. For example, try asking “what was the best thing that happened to you today?” Respond to your partner’s sharing of both positive and negative events in a supportive manner. For example, show you are interested by asking engaging follow-up questions. It will take time to build connection and intimacy, but investing in others is a win/win. It promotes healthy relationships and may help you to have better sleep quality and longer sleep duration. Alcohol consumption & sleep Research has also consistently found a relationship between alcohol consumption and sleep patterns. More recently, a study examined the impact of alcohol consumption between romantic partners. Consistent with previous research, higher levels of alcohol consumption were related to poorer sleep patterns. Interestingly, the consequences of problematic drinking not only affected the individual, but also impacted their significant other. More specifically, when service members had alcohol related problems, their partners tended to have sleep difficulties, mainly shorter average sleep duration. So, what should you do with this information? Although some believe drinking will help them to sleep, research has shown that drinking is associated with poor quality sleep . Assess your sleep quality. Do you feel that you can easily fall asleep, stay asleep, and enjoy an overall great sleep quality? Consider how your daily activities (like alcohol consumption) may be impacting your sleep. Seek support. There are a numerous alcohol related resources available to service members and their spouses. If you are concerned about your alcohol consumption, consider contacting the nearest Alcoholics Anonymous group to help support you in overcoming your addiction. Military ONESOURCE is an excellent resource for finding relevant resources that will suit your needs and goals.
PERSPECTIVES OF SERVICE AMONG WOMEN SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS
March is celebrated annually as Women\u2019s History Month, a period during which we reflect on the contributions and successes of women throughout American history. Although until recently women were restricted from military service, they have no doubt supported the United States Armed Forces in a variety of roles since the beginning of our nation. More women are dedicating their lives to military service, thus highlighting an opportunity to better understand what the military woman\u2019s experience looks like today. Military REACH connected with five active duty and Veteran women to gain insight into the experience of military women, including both the strengths and challenges of serving as a woman, and their perspectives on the future for women in the military. \n\n\n\n\n#### What motivated you to join the Armed Forces?\n\n\n Military service is not a career path chosen easily \u2013 service requires dedication, strength, and resilience. Still, there are many women who find pride in the challenge of becoming a \u201cwarrior.\u201d For some, military service provides stability and opportunities to advance: \n\n\n\n > The financial stability it provided and the education opportunity were the biggest driving factors for my enlistment and later commission.\u201d \u2013 [Adara, Marine Corps, Active Duty]\n\n\n\n For others, the motivation to serve is driven by military family or friend connections: \n\n\n\n > Family business \u2013 3rd generation military and 3rd generation dual military [family]. \u2013 [Lee, Air Force Reserves, Active Duty/Veteran]\n\n\n\n\n > My friend\u2019s dad was an Army helicopter pilot so I decided in 2nd grade I wanted to be a pilot in the military after trying on his helmet. \u2013 [Becky, Air Force, Veteran]\n\n\n\n\n > My next door neighbor was KIA in Iraq in 2008, and I wanted to honor his memory. \u2013 [Sarah Lynn, Air Force, Active Duty]\n\n\n\n\n\n#### How did your friends and family react to your decision to serve?\n\n\n Although women who choose to serve are resolved in their decision, they may or may not get mixed feedback from their loved ones. Families and friends may show support for enlistment or commission when they have a prior connection to, or understanding of, military service: \n\n\n\n > A lot [of my loved ones] felt like it was a good fit and modeled my earlier high school accomplishments within the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. A few others were somewhat surprised, not at my deciding to enlist, but my decision to join the Marine Corps.\u201d \n\u2013 [Adara]\n\n\n\n\n> At the onset, I don\u2019t think a lot of my family thought that I was serious (I come from a traditional family and military service was a boy\u2019s prerogative). Once they realized that I was serious, my family was very supportive. My friends were concerned that it wasn\u2019t a safe job for a woman to have. \u2013 [Sarah Lynn]\n\n\n\n\n> [I was] fully supported \u2013 in fact my whole family was Navy enlisted, and I was encouraged to go officer in the Air Force. \u2013 [Lee]\n\n\n\n In some cases, however, women who choose to serve were even discouraged by those in their support network: \n\n\n\n > I didn\u2019t grow up in a military area and most people tried to talk me out of it. I was putting together models of airplanes and going to airshows, but people just thought it was cute. My 8th grade teacher gave me a D on a career assignment because I didn\u2019t put any backup options after military pilot. \u2013 [Becky]\n\n\n\n\n\n#### Were there any service-related challenges you experienced that are unique to women in military service?\n\n\n As history has shown, being a woman in the military is no easy task. In fact, as Becky suggests, there are \u201clots of [challenges].\u201d One challenge mentioned by Lee is \u201cbalancing work and life,\u201d as women must manage their roles at home (e.g., spouse, parent) and at work as a Service member. An additional challenge is facing gender-based issues. The ratio between men and women Service members is heavily skewed toward men, as approximately 1 in 16 active duty Service members are women: \n\n\n\n > I do not know that I view it always as a challenge, but you often find yourself as the only woman in the room. I do not personally find that to be a challenge, but it is a common factor. Also, I am a shorter stature at five foot three inches and that is not the ideal load bearing body frame for carrying 100 pounds of gear. Overall, I always viewed myself as the same regarding going through all the mental and physical challenges as the males.\u201d \n\u2013 [Adara]\n\n\n\n\n > Generally, women\u2019s uniforms are more difficult to find. Women\u2019s health care is also an ongoing concern.\u201d \n\u2013 [Sarah Lynn]\n\n\n\n\n\n#### What are the advantages of being a woman Service member?\n\n\n It is understandable that some women Service members don\u2019t feel their identity as a woman is advantageous to their career in a male-dominated field. One woman Service member suggested that she works hard to meet the expectations of men Service members. \n\n\n\n > Within the service, I do not believe there are any advantages [to being a woman Service member]. In fact, I would say it is much more challenging to be a woman in the service\u2026However within the service, there are still unspoken barriers in some commands, positions, or jobs where you have to prove you are capable. \u2013 [Adara]\n\n\n\n However, another Service member reflects on the relationships she built with other military women during her service: \n\n\n\n > The network of women supporting women is absolutely fantastic. \u2013 [Sarah Lynn]\n\n\n\n Although there are limitations within military service, some women Service members choose to focus on how their service will inspire the next generation of women in the military: \n\n\n\n > You can inspire young girls. It\u2019s important for kids to see someone who looks like them doing something they never thought about doing before. When I saw a female in a flight suit, I was speechless and couldn\u2019t even talk to her because suddenly it was real- it was something that could actually happen. \u2013 [Becky]\n\n\n\n > Helping grow the next generation and showing our children that you can manage and wear many hats in the world. - [Lee] \n\n\n\n\n#### What changes do you hope to see in the future related to attitudes toward women Service members and Veterans?\n\n\n Women have fought throughout history to be recognized for their contributions to our nation\u2019s Armed Forces and their capabilities to serve in increasing ways. Still, women have much further to go before respect and equality is achieved for women Service members and Veterans. Women in the military have expressed several areas of concern for which they hope to see change: \n\n\n\n> The biggest change I hope to see is acceptance within the Veteran community. There is deep tradition felt to uphold values and continue traditions. Within the Veteran population, many have no idea how much has changed and continues to change that in no way dishonors legacy and tradition; there is just a woman in uniform. - [Adara]\n\n\n\n\n> We\u2019ve come a long way since I was starting in the military, but that doesn\u2019t mean we don\u2019t have a lot more work to do. I\u2019m encouraged when I see young women who are strong in who they are and aren\u2019t afraid to use their voice. I felt grateful to be able do the things I did, but I think it\u2019s time to stop feeling grateful and just be empowered. - [Becky]\n\n\n\n\n> As far as future changes related to attitudes toward women Service members and Veterans, I am afraid that will have to be changed and taught to every child at an early stage to treat, respect, and protect women equally. That includes equal pay for equal work, and punishment for disrespect. Women need to be able to speak up without retaliation.\u201d - [Connie] \n\n\n\n> We still see women underrepresented at all levels in the military. It\u2019s still seen as an anomaly to see a female general, and we need to get to a point where that is no longer surprising. I hope to see more comprehensive medical coverage for female military members and more post-service support for female Veterans. - [Sarah Lynn]\n\n\n\n\n\n#### What advice would you give to women interested in joining the Armed Forces?\n\n\n Having faced the gender-related challenges in military, women Service members and Veterans reflect on their careers to formulate advice to women considering entering service. Their testimonies offer both encouragement and career advice: \n\n\n\n> Do it! Find one of the career choices that sounds interesting to you and go for it. Maybe you find something along the way that\u2019s an even better fit. Either way, enjoy the ride! Also, failures truly make you stronger. If you don\u2019t learn from it, it\u2019s a wasted experience. - [Becky]\n\n\n\n\n> Go For It \u2013 find a supportive group of people who empower you and kick butt \u2013 you can do anything.\u201d - [Lee] \n\n\n\n> I would say be very familiar with the regulations and learn your job well so that you bring your best attributes to the mission set. Over time, professionalism makes every individual successful, but particularly for women in service that can still find themselves in the need-to-prove themselves situation. Lastly, aim to be within male physical fitness standards at each opportunity. There is no reason you can\u2019t do it also. - [Adara]\n\n\n\n\n> Start building arm strength early, get to know the other women around you, and you can do anything you put your mind to! - [Sarah Lynn]\n\n\n\n Military REACH *would like to give special thanks to Adara, Becky, Lee, Connie, and Sarah Lynn for sharing their stories and for their service to our country.*\n\n\n\n
Allison Tidwell Shares Her Study Findings
Allison Tidwell, Military REACH GRA PhD student, recently conducted a study focused on participants' reactions to a mobile app-based training program designed to enhance military cultural competence among helping professionals. Feedback from participants was positive and suggests a favorable training experience that may facilitate the program's desired outcomes. She presented her findings to her colleagues and peers within the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University, where she is now officially a Doctoral Candidate and expected to graduate this year.!
Team Members Receive Awards for Their Poster Presentations
This month, several Miliary REACH team members presented posters at the 2024 Outreach & Engaged Scholarship Symposium. Emily Hanson and Allison Tidwell (Human Development and Family Science PhD students) received awards in Science Communication and Outreach Efforts for their poster presentations. Lessons Learned from an International Collaboration on Veteran Family Research– Allison Tidwell and Dr. Mallory Lucier-Greer Better together: Capitalizing on the collective agency of a university-nonprofit partnership to achieve actionable solutions for military families Presenter: Emily Hanson and Dr. Mallory Lucier-Greer Advancing Family Resilience through Community-Based Mental Health Center Policies: Facilitating Conversations and Breaking Boundaries Presenter: Sheila Sjolseth and Dr. Mallory Lucier-Greer
Southeastern Council on Family Relations Award Winners
Members of the Military REACH team attended the Southeastern Council on Family Relations. We presented on topics ranging from mental health policy to Service members and mental health utilization. We had a great time and even came home with awards! *Winners from left to right: Bri Gordon, Allison Tidwell, Emily Scott, Sheila Sjolseth, and Haley Sherman Who to turn to when I need someone to turn to? Exploring the help-seeking behaviors of military service members Presenter: Brianna Gordon* *Who speaks for veteran families? An investigation of voices centered in veteran family research Presenter: Allison Tidwell* *How did rates of child abuse change due to the COVID-19 pandemic? A scoping review Presenter: Emily Scott* *Do policies support family resilience? A thematic analysis of interviews with community-based mental health center leaders Presenter: Sheila Sjolseth*
Allison Tidwell Receives the Master’s Thesis Award
Allison received the Master's Thesis Award from Auburn University for her exceptional and well-executed master's thesis. This award is presented to 6 graduate students at Auburn, and this year 3 of the 6 students were from Human Development and Family Science. Learn more about Allison's thesis here. Allison is a PhD student in Human Development and Family Science. In addition to other assistantships, she is a Graduate Research Assistant for Military REACH and creates research summaries on the well-being of military families and assists on research reports for the Department of Defense.
COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
Several Military REACH students presented at the Auburn University College of Human Sciences Research Symposium. From left to right: Allison Tidwell and Brianna Gordon: Poster titled "Choosing helping hands: Examining patterns of help-seeking from mental healthcare providers among soldiers experiencing stress" Using data from 9,236 Soldiers who participated in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers, the current study describes patterns of past-year help-seeking from mental healthcare providers among active-duty Soldiers. Findings inform efforts to increase mental healthcare utilization by understanding who Soldiers turn to when experiencing stress. Haley Sherman: Presentation titled "Examining the dimensionality of a Combat Experiences Scale and examining if religion/spirituality buffers the impact combat exposure has on mental health symptoms" Through the lens of religious coping theory, the aims of this study were multifaceted. First, the dimensionality of a Combat Experiences Scale, the measure used in the Army STARRS dataset, was examined among a sample of 13,155 Soldiers. Next the direct effects of combat exposure on anxiety and depressive symptoms were examined. Then, a Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was conducted to examine whether different groups of Soldiers emerged based on indicators of religiosity, spirituality, and religious attendance. The final analysis examined if the LPA groups moderated the relationship between combat exposure and the mental health symptoms. Sheila Sjolseth: Poster titled "Back-off pressuring schools: A systemwide structure to meet the child mental health crisis" School-based mental health (SBMH) programming intends to increase mental health services; however, the current structure cannot meet the rising need. This analysis reviewed the empirical literature on SBMH programming, COVID-19 stressors, and child mental health policies. Results call for a multi-tiered system, informed by experts across disciplines, and served by multi-sectors of the community. Continue reading to learn more about the other research presented at the symposium: http://humsci.auburn.edu/research/grs_abstracts_2023.php
ALLISON TIDWELL SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS HER THESIS
It’s a time to celebrate! Allison Tidwell, Graduate Research Assistant for Military REACH, recently defended her master’s thesis. For the past two years, she’s completed coursework towards her master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science, and for the last year, she has been working on her thesis titled: Should I stay or should I go? An examination of the effects of work and family factors on active duty and National Guard and Reserve service members’ military career intentions. Using data from the All Army Study component of the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Service members (Army STARRS AAS), the purpose of Allison’s study was to explore how work-related factors, family-related factors, and mental health contribute to a Service members’ intentions to stay in or leave the military, and whether the contributions of these factors differed between active-duty and National Guard or Reserve personnel. The Department of Defense sets annual retention goals to retain a highly-trained, ready defense force. To achieve these retention goals, it is important to examine what factors contribute to Service members intentions to stay in or leave the military. Given the differences in monthly time commitment to military duties between full-time, active-duty Service members and part-time, National Guard or Reserve Service members, factors contributing to career intentions may differ between these two groups. Overall, this study has several implications for promoting retention among Service members: Unit leaders and subordinates can work to create more supportive work environments and policies that help Service members balance their work and family obligations (e.g., shorter deployments, maternity and paternity leave, remote work opportunities) Unit leaders can be trained to recognize signs of declining mental health and refer their unit members to appropriate health care resources. Importantly, while some work-related factors and family-related factors were stronger indicators of mental health and military career intentions for active-duty or National Guard or Reserve personnel, these factors still remained important for career intentions across both groups. This finding suggests limited differences in how Service members’ perceptions of their work environment, family life, and mental health contribute to intentions to remain and intentions to leave based on active-duty or National Guard or Reserve status. Allison is graduating with her master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science this fall. This spring, she will continue studying military families while working towards her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science.
ALLISON TIDWELL, AWARD WINNING STUDENT
Congratulations to Allison Tidwell, Military REACH Graduate Research Assistant! This month she was awarded the Best Poster Presentation for the College of Human Sciences at the Auburn University Student Research Symposium for her research titled, “In it for the long haul: Preliminary analyses of work- and family-related factors as predictors of service members’ intentions to remain in the military”. The purpose of her study was to explore how work and family-factors influence a Service members' intentions to stay in the military beyond their service commitment. Service members reported on unit cohesion, met expectations, morale, work-family balance, and romantic relationship quality as factors that influence their intentions to stay or leave the military. The findings showed that work-family balance both directly and indirectly contributed to the service member’s intentions to stay or leave through morale. Similarly, met expectations and unit cohesion indirectly contributed to intentions to stay or leave through morale. Overall, this study highlights opportunities for policy and programming to address work-family balance and morale to increase Service member retention. Allison is a second-year master’s student in Human Development and Family Science. She assists the Military REACH team with completing research summaries on the well-being of military families and research reports for the Department of Defense.
STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS: KATIE KRUMM
 11 March 2020 / Written By[Kate Abbate](kate.jsp "Posts by Kate Abbate") / Military REACH Project Manager Working in a University setting is a privilege because it puts our team in contact with so many talented people and students. This week we will feature a student who volunteered her time and skills to provide a mock news story about Military REACH - Katie Krumm, a junior in Journalism at Auburn University. Katie contacted our team in fall 2019 and asked if she could complete a news story to promote Military REACH for her Digital News Production class. We were grateful for the opportunity to not only gain a high-quality product for our project, but to also be a part of a student’s learning experience. When asked why she chose Military REACH for her project Katie said, “I am a military brat myself and I know firsthand the difficulties that come along with \[military life\]. Military REACH has a beautiful and impactful mission that can do a lot of good.” At Military REACH, collaboration is foundational to the work that we do, and we are grateful for students like Katie who are interested in offering their time, unique skills, and training to further our mission. Check out Katie’s news story below. > Students are an integral part of Military REACH because they provide our team with a new perspective, high-quality products, and invaluable assistance. Continue to look out for our Student Highlights, where we will feature students from our team and will highlight the contributions they have made not only to our team, but to the larger military community. ### Recent Featured News [](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=db78ad34-93d7-4db3-8245-02dc11fa190a) ### [HALEY SHERMAN: CINDY WINTER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=db78ad34-93d7-4db3-8245-02dc11fa190a) Posted on August 16, 2023 [](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=46b39bc8-d62b-4884-9025-b2389b6dd3e4) ### [COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=46b39bc8-d62b-4884-9025-b2389b6dd3e4) Posted on March 17, 2023 [](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=6d785126-8271-4608-8e5c-7f26c5f243cd) ### [ALLISON TIDWELL SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS HER THESIS](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=6d785126-8271-4608-8e5c-7f26c5f243cd) Posted on November 15, 2022 [](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=4ae2411e-9629-4ed9-b3a4-88a39de64b50) ### [DR. DAVINA QUICHOCHO DEFENDS HER DISSERTATION](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=4ae2411e-9629-4ed9-b3a4-88a39de64b50) Posted on July 19, 2022
STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS: DUSTIN ELSTON, GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Student Highlights: Dustin Elston, Graphic Designer Written by: Kate Abbate Dustin Elston is a senior in the Environmental Design program at Auburn, and has been a member of the Military REACH Graphic Design team since November 2018. While working with REACH, he has been instrumental in making our research accessible because of his ability to quickly and accurately format text-heavy Research Reports and Research Summaries, available for viewing here. Dustin’s ability to interpret our team’s complex, and oftentimes broad, visions and turn them into high-quality products is what has made him excel in his role. Additionally, Dustin has creatively contributed to numerous projects, such as revamping the monthly newsletter, creating flyers, designing t-shirts, and developing icons used for Research Reports and Military REACH branding. Dustin has been a steady contributor to the visual evolution of Military REACH, and our products are better because of his talent and commitment. We are thankful for the work that Dustin has done to mobilize research and promote family readiness through graphic design. Students are an integral part of Military REACH because they provide our team with a new perspective, high-quality products, and invaluable assistance. Continue to look out for our Student Highlights, where we will feature students from our team and will highlight the contributions they have made not only to our team, but to the larger military community.
STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS: ALLISON TIDWELL, RESEARCH TEAM
Allison Tidwell is an undergraduate researcher for Military REACH, where she began as an intern in January 2019. Allison has contributed to the project in numerous ways (e.g., writing Translating Research Into Practice (TRIP) Reports, assisting with Research Reports, authoring Family Stories and Monthly Topics), but perhaps one of her most significant contributions has been the creation of the REACH Dictionary, which she discusses below. The Dictionary, which contains over 200 terms, is organized into seven categories: (1) military, (2) data analyses, (3) study methods and variables, (4) theories, (5) programs and therapies, (6) errors and biases, and (7) contextual. Not only can users explore the REACH Dictionary freely, but our Research Team also tags terms throughout TRIP Reports and the links take users directly to the term/definition in the Dictionary, which can be accessed here. 1. What prompted the idea of the REACH Dictionary? The idea for the Military REACH Dictionary was born from a simple question: “What does that mean?” When I first became a team member at REACH, I was unfamiliar with the research terminology that appears in family science publications. No readily available resource existed that included a comprehensive list of terms related to family science, research, and the military, so I resolved to create one myself! 2. What was the response from the team when you shared your idea? The Military REACH team immediately supported my idea to create the REACH Dictionary. My team members recognized that this would be a useful resource for our audience of military families, helping professionals, military leadership, and policy makers, so we dove straight into the development process. 3. What was the process like for you to create the REACH Dictionary? Creating the Military REACH Dictionary was a challenge, as it required months of research. This resource could not have been created without collaboration with our research and website development teams here at REACH, and I am grateful to have received their support to make my dream a reality. 4. Since the launch of the REACH Dictionary, how is it different from what you imagined? The current model of the Military REACH Dictionary is even better than I imagined it would be. The website development team has done an incredible job to make the dictionary practical and easy to use. 5. How has the REACH Dictionary helped to advance the mission of the Military REACH project, "…to make research accessible and practical"? Creating the Military REACH Dictionary was important to me because I realized that if I couldn’t understand what was being said in a research article or TRIP Report, then it was likely that the families, helping professionals, military leaders, and policy makers that Military REACH serves couldn’t either. To me, this was an accessibility issue: people can’t use information they don’t understand. That’s where the Dictionary comes in as a resource for our audience to improve their own understanding of research so that they may take key findings and implications and put them into practice. 6. How did your educational training in Global Studies contribute to the idea of creating the Dictionary? The Global Studies [degree]in [the College of] Human Sciences is rooted in problem-based learning, wherein students are presented with a problem scenario, conduct research to better understand the problem, and develop practical, effective solutions to resolve the problem. Through this model of learning, I have improved my ability to anticipate needs and develop useful resources that address those needs, which ultimately led to the idea of a specially-tailored dictionary for Military REACH. 7. Being that you have cross-disciplinary experience, what overlaps have you noticed between Global Studies and Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) – the department that Military REACH is rooted in? The similarities between Global Studies and Human Development and Family Studies goes far beyond their ultimate goal of helping people live better lives. Both disciplines ask difficult questions, use research to inform policy and programming, and strategize the use of resources to address major issues. The unique skills I have gained in both fields pair well together and have inspired me to engage in problem-solving on behalf of military families. Students are an integral part of Military REACH because they provide our team with a new perspective, high-quality products, and invaluable assistance. Continue to look out for our Student Highlights, where we will feature students from our team and will highlight the contributions they have made not only to our team, but to the larger military community.
STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS: KRISTYN WALDRON, RESEARCH TEAM
 01 August 2020 / Written By [Kate Abbate](kate.jsp "Posts by Kate Abbate") / Military REACH Project Manager We connected with Kristyn Waldron, undergraduate research, to learn about her experience working with Military REACH. Although the spring 2020 semester started as any other, it quickly changed due to COVID-19 and by mid-March the entire REACH team was working remotely. Kristyn had not been with the team long before switching to remote work, but that did not slow her down. She wrote a TRIP report, assisted with outreach efforts, added almost 100 articles to the REACH Library, wrote a reflective piece, and was even granted a Research Fellowship that will allow her to complete her own research project beginning fall 2020. We are so proud of all that she accomplished in just one, very unusual, semester – way to go Kristyn! Continue reading to learn more about Kristyn’s experience as an undergraduate researcher during the spring 2020 semester. ### 1\. What interested you in working on the Military REACH project? > I was interested in working on the Military REACH project because it is so unique in comparison to other research. I appreciate that REACH wants to make research accessible and easy to understand for everyone, not just for other researchers. REACH is providing resources for the people that need it, whether that is helping to inform policy makers, families, or helping professionals. I very much believe everyone should be a part of something bigger than themselves, and that is exactly what REACH is doing. ### 2\. Describe your experience as an Undergraduate Researcher with REACH. > As an undergraduate research assistant, I have learned a lot about the logistics of research. I am able to see how research is developed. Many of the things that I learned have been from just listening to other people on the research team. It is very interesting to see how the resources at REACH are developed and come together. Everyone is very helpful in explaining the processes in how different resources are created, from TRIP reports to social media to the Dictionary. ### 3\. Is there anything that surprised you about your experience? > I have been surprised at how fun research can be. Everyone on the team is so nice! It makes being a part of REACH even better. Being a part of the Military REACH project has been much more fun than I had anticipated. ### 4\. What have you enjoyed most? > I have enjoyed seeing all of the work that goes into each of the different aspects of REACH. I am definitely able to appreciate things more now that I have seen all that goes into it. Everything on the REACH website, from the TRIP reports to the graphic design, take a lot of time and thought to create. It is very cool getting to see the development side of it. ### 5\. Which of your tasks have made you proud? > I am most proud of completing the metadata for the articles on the REACH website. The task is sometimes tedious, but it is so rewarding when you see all of the information published on the website. I was able to learn a lot while I did this. I sifted through articles to find things like who the participants were and what kind of study was done. It was helpful because I learned different things like common research terms and how to identify the research method being used in each study. ### 6\. What did you learn about yourself during your experience? > I learned how much I enjoy outreach efforts. When I first started doing some outreach, I was calling installations asking if we could send them information about REACH. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I started to really enjoy it. I know that the resources we have available can help many people, so it is exciting to get to share it with others. ### 7\. What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve encountered, and how did you overcome it? > One of the biggest challenges is that I have a limited knowledge about research. I do not always understand what the other researchers are talking about, because they have more experience than I do. To overcome this challenge, I ask a lot of questions. Every day in the “lab” (either physically or remotely), I come across something new to learn. People on the team are always very kind to take the time to explain things to me. ### 8\. How has this experience helped to prepare for your future and career goals? > This experience has prepared me for graduate school. I am hoping to attend graduate school for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I know that I will need to be familiar with research for graduate school and as a mental health counselor. Being part of the REACH team has taught me a lot about research. I have learned about what makes research reliable, how to understand what data is conveying, and I have learned research terms that I would not otherwise know. Military REACH’s outreach efforts have also provided valuable experience. As a mental health counselor, I will provide people resources and be a part of prevention efforts. To do this, I will need to have skills in reaching out to people who need the information that I have. Military REACH has been a great example for effective outreach efforts. ### Recent Featured News [](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=db78ad34-93d7-4db3-8245-02dc11fa190a) ### [HALEY SHERMAN: CINDY WINTER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=db78ad34-93d7-4db3-8245-02dc11fa190a) Posted onAugust 16, 2023 [](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=46b39bc8-d62b-4884-9025-b2389b6dd3e4) ### [COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=46b39bc8-d62b-4884-9025-b2389b6dd3e4) Posted onMarch 17, 2023 [](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=6d785126-8271-4608-8e5c-7f26c5f243cd) ### [ALLISON TIDWELL SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS HER THESIS](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=6d785126-8271-4608-8e5c-7f26c5f243cd) Posted onNovember 15, 2022 [](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=4ae2411e-9629-4ed9-b3a4-88a39de64b50) ### [DR. DAVINA QUICHOCHO DEFENDS HER DISSERTATION](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=4ae2411e-9629-4ed9-b3a4-88a39de64b50) Posted onJuly 19, 2022
STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS: BIBHAV BHATTARAI, WEB DEV TEAM
 16 July 2020 / Written By [Kate Abbate](kate.jsp "Posts by Kate Abbate") / Military REACH Project Manager Bibhav Bhattarai Military REACH Web Developer, is a graduate student in Computer Science and Software Engineering at Auburn University. He began working with Military REACH soon after he started his master’s program in 2019, and his team members describe him as funny, easy to get along with, and helpful. He has been an asset to the team since he started, and some of his accomplishments include designing the functionalities for the REACH Dictionary and incorporating Cascade, a content management tool, into our website. Continue reading to learn more about Bibhav, his responsibilities with the team, and more! ### 1\. What are your responsibilities as a web developer for Military REACH? > As a web developer for Military REACH, I serve as a full stack developer (working on the front- and back-end) for the team. My role is to bridge the thin line between front-end (user experience) and back-end development (website services/functionalities). ### 2\. What tasks have you enjoyed most while working on the Military REACH project? > I’ve enjoyed working with the other members on the Web Development team, along with members from the full team. Regarding assignments, most have been joyful, but in particular, I loved when Allison Tidwell, REACH Undergraduate Researcher, proposed the idea of the [REACH Dictionary](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DictionaryResult) . Dustin Elston, REACH Graphic Designer, designed the blueprint of the Dictionary, and Kate Abbate, REACH Project Manager, seamlessly conveyed everything to me. Once the Dictionary was ready for web development, we managed to add the wonderful newborn feature to the website within roughly a week! ### 3\. Where are you originally from, and what surprised you when you first moved to Auburn, Alabama? > I am from Nepal, the country with Mount Everest, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, and of the brave “Gurkha” warriors. It was an easy adjustment moving to Auburn. The climate here is similar to Kathmandu, Nepal and the people here are very helpful. > What surprised me when moving to the States, was that even when commercial businesses are closed, they leave the lights on in the building. I had never seen something like that before moving to the States, and that surprised me the most! It’s probably due to security concerns, but there must be an alternative way to go about it while conserving energy. ### 4\. What are you most proud of about your culture? > We have a festival in my culture called Tihar, also known as the festival of light, in which we worship for five straight days, each day being dedicated to a particular cause. Amongst those days three are dedicated to animals - crow (it signifies the messenger of death), dog (it signifies the guards of heaven/hell), cow (it signifies prosperity and wealth). This part of the culture in which we have celebrations for other forms of life is a refreshing reminder of the significance-of-self. ### 5\. You are expected to graduate soon (one to two semesters!). What skills have you gained from the Military REACH project that have prepared you for the workforce? > Besides improving my coding skills (particularly of [JAVA](https://www.w3schools.com/java/java_intro.asp) and [JavaScript](https://javascript.info/intro) ), I have had the opportunity to work with great team players in Military REACH, and, therefore, have had the opportunity to learn problem solving adeptness, readiness for adaptability, and the virtue of collective efforts. All of these skills will surely come in handy in the near future. ### Recent Featured News [](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=db78ad34-93d7-4db3-8245-02dc11fa190a) ### [HALEY SHERMAN: CINDY WINTER SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=db78ad34-93d7-4db3-8245-02dc11fa190a) Posted onAugust 16, 2023 [](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=46b39bc8-d62b-4884-9025-b2389b6dd3e4) ### [COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=46b39bc8-d62b-4884-9025-b2389b6dd3e4) Posted onMarch 17, 2023 [](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=6d785126-8271-4608-8e5c-7f26c5f243cd) ### [ALLISON TIDWELL SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS HER THESIS](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=6d785126-8271-4608-8e5c-7f26c5f243cd) Posted onNovember 15, 2022 [](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=4ae2411e-9629-4ed9-b3a4-88a39de64b50) ### [DR. DAVINA QUICHOCHO DEFENDS HER DISSERTATION](FeaturedNewsStoryDetails?resourceid=4ae2411e-9629-4ed9-b3a4-88a39de64b50) Posted on July 19, 2022