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Supporting military family resilience at the transition to parenthood: A randomized pilot trial of an online version of family foundations

APA Citation:

Feinberg, M. E., Boring, J., Le, Y., Hostetler, M. L., Karre, J., Irvin, J., & Jones, D. E. (2020). Supporting military family resilience at the transition to parenthood: A randomized pilot trial of an online version of family foundations. Family Relations, 69, 109-124. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12415

Abstract Created by REACH:

Supporting military families through transitions and stressors is crucial for protecting family well-being and mission readiness. The transition to parenthood is especially important due to the impact that becoming a parent can have on individual and couple well-being. As such, several programs have been developed to assist families through this transition. However, busy military families and those geographically removed from military bases and resources (e.g., National Guard families) may have difficulty accessing these programs. Therefore, Family Foundations, a program designed to support couples during the transition to parenthood that includes both prenatal (i.e., prior to the birth of the child) and postnatal (i.e., after the birth of the child) modules, was adapted to an online format to improve accessibility. This study conducted a randomized control trial to pilot the efficacy of this online program to improve parent (e.g., depression) and infant (e.g., soothability) outcomes with a sample of 56 couples. The results indicated that the program may bolster parent and child well-being, but more research is needed.

Focus:

Children
Couples
Mental health
Parents
Programming

Branch of Service:

Air Force
Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Multiple branches

Military Affiliation:

Active Duty
Guard
Reserve

Subject Affiliation:

Active duty service member
Guard/Reserve member
Spouse of service member or veteran

Population:

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)

Methodology:

Longitudinal Study
Quantitative Study
Primary Data Analysis
Randomized Control Trial

Authors:

Feinberg, Mark E., Boring, Jesse, Le, Yunying, Hostetler, Michelle L., Karre, Jennifer, Irvin, Jamie, Jones, Damon E.

Abstract:

Objective This article examines whether family resilience can be enhanced among military families via an online prevention program for military couples at the transition to parenthood. Background Military families experience normative stressors similar to those of civilian families, as well as military-specific stressors, such as deployment, frequent moves, and uncertainty. Method Participants were 56 heterosexual couples who, at the time of recruitment, were expecting their first child and were living together (regardless of marital status). Mothers and fathers completed measures online: Pretest was administered upon recruitment during pregnancy, and posttest was administered at 6 months postpartum. After pretest, couples were randomized to control and intervention conditions; intervention couples were provided access to the online version of Family Foundations. Results Although outcomes require replication given the sample size and issues with attrition, results indicated significant program impact, with moderate to strong effect sizes, on parent depression, mothers' report of coparenting support, and infant mood and soothability. Conclusion These results suggest online delivery of prevention programming is a potentially effective means of enhancing military family well-being—and thus resilience. Implications Low-cost and effective support for military families is possible via online modalities.

Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:

John Wiley & Sons

Publication Type:

Article
REACH Publication

Author Affiliation:

Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, MEF
SUNY Broome Community College, JB
Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, YL
Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, MLH
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Pennsylvania State University, JK
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, Pennsylvania State University, JI
Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, DEJ

Keywords:

military families, prevention, family systems, coparenting, infant well-being

View Research Summary:

REACH Publication Type:

Research Summary

Sponsors:

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Grant Number: HD072394

REACH Newsletter:

  April 2020

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DEPLOYMENTS AND PREGNANCY

Abstract Created by REACH:

DEPLOYMENTS AND PREGNANCY By: Caroline Hale and Kate Abbate Deployments are hard for families with or without children, and they can become even more difficult when pregnancy is an added factor (no matter how excited you may be!). Ideally during pregnancy, families can spend most of their time together. However, that’s not the reality for many military families due to the demands of the military lifestyle. In addition, pregnancy comes with its own challenges – hormonal changes, financial stressors, and more. When deployment is added on top of the pregnancy, challenges can quickly pileup and be difficult to manage. We will share information about these challenges and provide resources to assist you with navigating them. Effects of Deployment During Pregnancy When the expectant parent, or their partner, is deployed, it can lead to a challenging pregnancy. Two common outcomes related to prenatal deployment (i.e., when a spouse is pregnant during deployment) are stress and depression. Listed below are a set of facts that provide information about the links between military service, pregnancy, stress, and depression. Did you know: - Active Duty pregnant Service members experience more stress compared to their civilian counterparts? - Mothers with children already at home are likely to have increased stress during their current pregnancy? - Throughout the pregnancy, mothers are likely to experience elevated stress when their partners are deployed compared to mothers whose partners are not deployed? - Mothers are more likely of having a preterm delivery when their partners are deployed? - Mothers are 3x more likely to experience postpartum depression when their partners are deployed compared to mothers whose partners are not deployed? Helpful Resources The information mentioned above may seem daunting; however, there are several ways you can reduce the likelihood of these outcomes from occurring. The suggestions below range from in-person to online options. The goal is to provide you with a range of options that will best fit your lifestyle. You can: - Participate in classes or counseling services focused on stress and depression management, - Participate in parenting educational support programs like the Family Foundations Program whose goal/mission is to assist families with transitioning to parenthood, - Utilize specific resources targeted towards parents whose partners are deployed, - Explore and utilize the pregnancy-related resources offered through Military OneSource, a freely accessible website to Service members and their families, and - Use social media to find a supportive network of people who may be experiencing, or have experienced, a similar situation. You can start your search on social media with terms like “prenatal deployment” and “military families.” Each of these resources address a different challenge associated with pregnancy when an expectant parent or their partner are deployed. In addition to these resources, be sure to surround yourself with ample support from friends and family during your pregnancy, which can make a world of difference in the outcomes of your pregnancy!

Authors:

Hale, Caroline

Abstract:

DEPLOYMENTS AND PREGNANCY By: Caroline Hale and Kate Abbate Deployments are hard for families with or without children, and they can become even more difficult when pregnancy is an added factor (no matter how excited you may be!). Ideally during pregnancy, families can spend most of their time together. However, that’s not the reality for many military families due to the demands of the military lifestyle. In addition, pregnancy comes with its own challenges – hormonal changes, financial stressors, and more. When deployment is added on top of the pregnancy, challenges can quickly pileup and be difficult to manage. We will share information about these challenges and provide resources to assist you with navigating them. Effects of Deployment During Pregnancy When the expectant parent, or their partner, is deployed, it can lead to a challenging pregnancy. Two common outcomes related to prenatal deployment (i.e., when a spouse is pregnant during deployment) are stress and depression. Listed below are a set of facts that provide information about the links between military service, pregnancy, stress, and depression. Did you know: - Active Duty pregnant Service members experience more stress compared to their civilian counterparts? - Mothers with children already at home are likely to have increased stress during their current pregnancy? - Throughout the pregnancy, mothers are likely to experience elevated stress when their partners are deployed compared to mothers whose partners are not deployed? - Mothers are more likely of having a preterm delivery when their partners are deployed? - Mothers are 3x more likely to experience postpartum depression when their partners are deployed compared to mothers whose partners are not deployed? Helpful Resources The information mentioned above may seem daunting; however, there are several ways you can reduce the likelihood of these outcomes from occurring. The suggestions below range from in-person to online options. The goal is to provide you with a range of options that will best fit your lifestyle. You can: - Participate in classes or counseling services focused on stress and depression management, - Participate in parenting educational support programs like the Family Foundations Program whose goal/mission is to assist families with transitioning to parenthood, - Utilize specific resources targeted towards parents whose partners are deployed, - Explore and utilize the pregnancy-related resources offered through Military OneSource, a freely accessible website to Service members and their families, and - Use social media to find a supportive network of people who may be experiencing, or have experienced, a similar situation. You can start your search on social media with terms like “prenatal deployment” and “military families.” Each of these resources address a different challenge associated with pregnancy when an expectant parent or their partner are deployed. In addition to these resources, be sure to surround yourself with ample support from friends and family during your pregnancy, which can make a world of difference in the outcomes of your pregnancy!

Publication Type:

Family Story

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