Identifying mental health profiles among adolescents who experienced a recent parental deployment or military-related family separation

Lucier-Greer, M., O’Neal, C. W., & Mancini, J. A. (2023). Identifying mental health profiles among adolescents who experienced a recent parental deployment or military-related family separation. Journal of Family Nursing, 29(3), 301-312. https://doi.org/10.1177/10748407231163588

This study aimed to identify mental health profiles of military-affiliated adolescents who recently experienced a military-related parental separation (e.g., deployment). A sample of 573 militaryconnected adolescents was used first to explore whether distinct mental health profiles emerged based on adolescents’ self-efficacy, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and interpersonal problems. Next, a separate sample of 186 military-connected adolescents was used to confirm the previously identified mental health profiles, as well as to examine related covariates (i.e., family cohesion, interparental conflict, marital adjustment) and adolescent outcomes (i.e., physical health, school enjoyment). Data for the exploratory sample were collected from adolescents only. Data for the confirmatory sample were collected from adolescents and both their Service member and civilian parents. Results revealed 3 distinct mental health profiles among military adolescents: lowest, moderate, and highest risk. Most adolescents were in the lowest risk profile, demonstrating resilience despite parental separation.

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