https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Toomey2021

Toomey, R., Alpern, R. E., White, A. J., Li, X., Reda, D. J., & Blanchard, M. S. (2021). Physical health, behavioral and emotional functioning in children of gulf war veterans. Life Sciences, 282, Article 119777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119777

Using data collected from 1998–2001, this study examined differences in the physical and behavioral health of children of Gulf War Veterans based on children’s age, gender, and Veteran parents’ deployment history during the Gulf War (i.e., deployed Veteran, nondeployed Veteran). 1,387 children of Gulf War Veterans underwent a physical and dental examination, and their Veteran parent reported on children’s behavioral problems (i.e., internalizing behavior, externalizing behavior). Additional demographic characteristics were also considered (e.g., rank, parent gender). Children whose Veteran parent deployed during the Gulf War were more likely to experience negative physical health outcomes and behavioral problems than children whose Veteran parent did not deploy during the Gulf War.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119777

Veterans
Children
Physical health
Mental health
Youth

Multiple branches

Veteran

Child of a service member or veteran

Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Preschool age (2 -5 yrs)
School age (6 - 12 yrs)

Quantitative Study

Toomey, R., Alpern, R. E., White, A. J., Li, X., Reda, D. J., Blanchard, M. S.

Objective We examined whether the prevalence of medical and behavioral conditions is higher in children of deployed veterans (DVs) versus non-deployed veterans (NDVs) after the 1991 Gulf War. Methods We examined 1387 children of 737 veterans. Children ages 2-18 had physical exams and parental reports of physical history and behavior. Results Physical health was analyzed using GEE models. Behavioral health [total, internalizing, and externalizing behavior problems (TBP, IBP, EBP)] was analyzed with mixed-effects regression models. Analyses were conducted by age group (2-3, 4-11, 12-18), and gender (ages 4-11, 12-18). Children of DVs ages 2-3 had significantly worse dentition (13.9% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.03) and more EBP {least square means (lsmeans) 54.31 vs. 47.59, P = 0.02}. Children of DVs ages 4-11 had significantly more obesity (18.8% vs. 12.7%, P = 0.02). Among children 4-11, male children of DVs had significantly more TBP (lsmeans 70.68 vs. 57.34, P = 0.003), IBP (lsmeans 63.59 vs. 56.16, P = 0.002) and EBP (lsmeans 61.60 vs. 52.93, P = 0.03), but female children did not. For children ages 12-18, male children of DVs had more EBP (lsmeans 63.73 vs. 43.51, P = 0.008), while female children of DVs had fewer EBP (lsmeans 45.50 vs. 50.48, P = 0.02). Veteran military characteristics and mental health, and children's social status and health, including obesity, predicted children's TBP for one or more age groups. Conclusions Children of DVs experienced worse dentition, greater obesity, and more behavioral problems compared to NDV children, suggesting adverse health effects associated with parental deployment in need of further exploration.

Elsevier

Article

Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, RT
Cooperative Study Program Coordinating Center, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, REA
Edward Mallinckrodt Dept. of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, AJW
Cooperative Study Program Coordinating Center, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, XL
Cooperative Study Program Coordinating Center, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, DJR
Greater Baltimore Medical Center, MSB