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Award Winning Publications
1.Educational performance of military-connected children in SC 2022 report
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2.The need for clinicians to recognize military-connected children
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3.The effect of COVID-19 on the mental health of military connected children and adolescents
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4.Youth offending in military-connected children
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5.Forgotten conscripts: Understanding the needs of military-connected adolescents
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6.Mental health of Canadian military-connected children: A qualitative study exploring the perspectives of service providers
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7.A phenomenological study of the educational needs of military-connected students transitioning from military connected schools to non-military connected schools
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8.The application of a self-labeling approach among military-connected adolescents in a public school setting
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9.Military-connected children with special health care needs and their families: A literature review
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10.Mental health of Canadian children growing up in military families: The child perspective
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11.Culturally responsive trauma informed care: Understanding the lived experiences of Black young adult military connected dependents with the military's child and adolescent behavioral health service
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12.Treating military-connected children in the civilian sector: Information and resources for health care providers
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13.“Us” as the United States: Sparking community-based solutions for supporting military-connected children and their families
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14.Beyond the frontlines: The importance of trauma-informed care for military children in the K-4 setting
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15.Capturing school mobility experiences of military-connected high school students: A qualitative study
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16.North Carolina’s Reserve component-connected children: Are our schools prepared to meet their needs?
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17.On the move: Helping military-connected gifted students navigate non-promotional school transitions
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18.Northwestern Florida teachers' perceptions of the academic success of military-connected English-language-learners
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19.Education for children and youth living in Canadian military families: Lessons from the past and future considerations
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20.Are teachers prepared for the challenges of military children?
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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.
Theory Series: Social Organization Theory of Action and Change
Theory Series: Social Organization Theory of Action and Change By: Emily Hanson This month, Military REACH continues the Theory Series, by diving into the social organization theory of action and change (Mancini & Bowen, 2013). We will provide an overview of the model and provide context for how military families and communities can benefit from its implementation. Overview: Social Organization Theory of Action and Change The social organization theory of action and change (Mancini & Bowen, 2009, 2013; Mancini et al., 2018) is a framework used to identify the processes (i.e., creating shared responsibility and trust to support communities) and antecedents (i.e., networks and resources that are available and currently established in the community) required to promote community capacity. Community capacity is the extent to which community resources are leveraged to solve problems, maintain well-being, and foster resilience, and is composed of two essential elements: collective competence and shared responsibility. When a community is collectively competent, it demonstrates the ability to mobilize resources and embrace opportunities to address families’ needs. Likewise, communities must also exhibit a shared responsibility; that is, a genuine care for one another and willingness to offer help. To achieve collective competence and shared responsibility, certain structures must be in place to facilitate social connection and achieve resilience. Social Organization and Change Model (Mancini & Bowen, 2009) Community conditions and characteristics, or the physical and social infrastructure are important antecedents to adequately address community needs. It is not simply the existence of these structures, though, that build community capacity; ideally, these structures are created intentionally with the community in mind. The physical infrastructure (e.g., safe roads for travel, places to gather) should serve to facilitate social processes which, in turn, create support networks (e.g., relationships with friends, social service programs) for individuals and families. Implications for Military Families and Communities Approximately 70% of military families live in civilian communities (Sonethavilay, 2019) and move, on average, every 2-3 years (Office of People Analytics, 2023). This transitional nature can disrupt social connection (O’Neal et al., 2016; O’Neal et al., 2020); however, when families can establish a sense of community in both a military and civilian context, there are greater opportunities for support. Communities can best support military families when they are collectively competent; that is, communities have infrastructure and resources that are sensitive to military family needs. This means creating partnerships and programs with military families in mind. Communities: Building culturally sensitive resources Establish multidisciplinary partnerships. Military families can benefit from connections with both the military and civilian community (Akin et al., 2020). Multidisciplinary and collaborative partnerships are beneficial to community capacity because they combine respective strengths to achieve a shared vision. For example, • The Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Partnership connects military spouses with corporate and non-profit organizations that have committed to hire, promote, and retain military spouses. • The 4-H Military Partnership is a collaboration between the military and land grant universities to provide military families with learning opportunities, mentorship, and other activities. Incorporate military cultural competence into service delivery. While not all families are the same, military families do have common shared experiences such as deployment, spouse unemployment, and school transitions after relocation. Helping professionals may not know they are serving military families, so it is important to identify them in order to provide tailored solutions and in turn, develop more trust and participation. For example, • The Star Behavioral Health Providers program connects military families with therapists who have completed training on military culture. • The Military Child Education Coalition provides a two-day professional development course for individuals working with military-connected children (e.g., guidance counselors, school nurses, social workers). This course teaches participants how to best support military-connected children and bolster resilience in response to military-specific stressors. Military Families: Achieving a sense of community Take advantage of community resources to cultivate social support, connection, and integration. Military families should feel like they can turn to civilian social networks, programs, and organizations for support. When these resources are made with military families in mind, social connections are more easily developed and can help bolster families’ resilience. By building a sense of community, Service members and their families can achieve not only a sense of meaning and purpose (Jetten et al., 2017), but also long-term psychological well-being (O’Neal et al., 2016). • Seek out events that connect military families to one another as well as the larger community. Help new families navigate community resources once you’re settled. When military families can fully participate in their community, they develop a sense of community and shared responsibility, which can lead to a reciprocal relationship in which they help to further these support networks and help future families. Although it is important to integrate into the civilian community, the shared culture among military families is powerful and can help protect against stressors and challenges (Conforte et al., 2017). • Apply to be a sponsor for incoming families to help them adjust to the community. The social organization theory of action and change serves as a useful guide to identifying community strengths as well as gaps in services. Communities can use this framework to create or enhance partnerships that address military families’ needs and establish opportunities for social connection. When opportunities for connection exist, families can take advantage of them, feel a sense of belonging within the community, and reciprocate this benefit to others. References Conforte, A. M., Bakalar, J. L., Shank, L. M., Quinlan, J., Stephens, M. B., Sbrocco, T., & Tanofsky-Kraff, M. (2017). Assessing military community support: Relations among perceived military community support, child psychosocial adjustment, and parent psychosocial adjustment. Military Medicine, 182(9–10), 1871–1878. https://doi.org/10.7205/MILMED-D-17-00016 Jetten, J., Haslam, S. A., Cruwys, T., Greenaway, K. H., Haslam, C., & Steffens, N. K. (2017). Advancing the social identity approach to health and well-being: Progressing the social cure research agenda. European Journal of Social Psychology, 47(7), 789–802. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2333 Mancini, J. A. & Bowen, G. L. (2009). Community resilience: A social organization theory of action and change. In J. A. Mancini & K. A. Roberto (Eds.), Pathways of human development: Explorations of change (pp. 245–265). Lexington Books. Mancini, J. A., & Bowen, G. L. (2013). Families and communities: A social organization theory of action and change. In G. W. Peterson & K. R. Bush (Eds.), Handbook of marriage and the family (pp. 781–813). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3987-5_32 Mancini, J. A., O’Neal, C. W., Martin, J. A., & Bowen, G. L. (2018). Community social organization and military families: Theoretical perspectives on transitions, contexts, and resilience. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 10(3), 550–565. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12271 Office of People Analytics. (2023). Results from the 2021 Active Duty Spouse Survey (ADSS). Department of Defense. https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Presentations/2021-active-duty-spouse-overview-briefing.pdf O’Neal, C. W., Mancini, J. A., & DeGraff, A. (2016). Contextualizing the psychosocial well-being of military members and their partners: The importance of community and relationship provisions. American Journal of Community Psychology, 58(3–4), 477–487. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12097 O’Neal, C. W., Richardson, E. W., & Mancini, J. A. (2020). Community, context, and coping: How social connections influence coping and well-being for military members and their spouses. Family Process, 59(1), 158–172. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12395 Sonethavilay, H., Akin, J. L., Strong, J. D., Maury, R. V., Linsner Uveges, R., Hunt, K., Preston Page, A., & Pierce, L. (2019). Blue Star Families 2019 military family lifestyle survey: Comprehensive report. Blue Star Families. https://bluestarfam.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BSF-2019-Survey-Comprehensive-Report-Digital-rev200305.pdf
BRAT TO COMBAT: MILITARY CHILDREN TURNED SERVICE MEMBERS
Only 1% of the United States’ population serves in its military (Ferdinando, 2018). Of that 1%, a quarter have at least one parent who served before them (Joint Advertising Market Research & Studies [JAMRS], 2013). Furthermore, according to a study by the National Military Family Association (NMFA, 2022), 44% of the over 2,000 military-connected teens surveyed intended to enlist in the future, and 18% of them intended to do so upon their high school graduation. Given that this population makes up such a significant percentage of our military, and that so many military-connected children intend to serve, it is essential that we understand their experiences, as well as the factors that inspire them to join. Our military-connected children’s lives and experiences are unique. According to the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC, 2017), military-connected children are 3 times more likely to move than their civilian peers and may do so 6 to 9 times before their high school graduation. In addition, they are likely to experience their parent(s) deploying at least once during childhood (Department of Defense, 2010). Despite all of this, military-connected children are still 2 times more likely to serve in the Armed Forces as their civilian counterparts (MCEC, 2017). So, given these seemingly taxing experiences, why do so many children of Service members go on to join the military? To gain some insight, we created a brief survey and connected with about 10 military-brats-turned-Service-members to learn more about their experiences and opinions on both their time in the service and their upbringing as military-connected children. Our respondents were active-duty Service members as well as Veterans affiliated with the Army or Marine Corps. Upon reviewing their responses, we found a common theme – their families were their inspiration to join the service. “My family had a sense of patriotic duty and patriotic sacrifice.” “I was always inspired by the military and was very proud of my father and his accomplishments. My father took me to flight line a lot and I got to see the fighters that came through, as well as being able to climb around on tankers and command and control airplanes.” “My dad/curiosity inspired me to join. Most of my closest childhood friends had joined, too, and that really pushed me to join, just because I saw how many unbelievable memories they were able to make.” “It was a combination of my father and the Corps itself. My father served with the Marines for a time and I got to see him attached to that…in a small way. The family and camaraderie that the Corps displayed while growing up around it was more than enough to draw me close.” “My family inspired me to join the military. The desire to serve has always run through the family, but I joined the Marine Corps to kind of deviate from the familial norm. That, and that made me the first Marine in my family, which is kind of cool.” Another common theme for our respondents was their appreciation of their positive experiences as military-connected children. Given their unique upbringing and the frequent relocations that came with it, they had the opportunity to encounter far more different cultures and foods than the average children, and to meet incredible people along their journey. "I got to live in different places every three years, so it was kind of like starting a new adventure every time we moved. I never got the opportunity to make life-long friends from when I was younger, but, through that, I also learned the qualities that make a real friend.” "I enjoyed being exposed to many different people and places through frequent moves. Changing schools didn't bother me. I was good at meeting new friends and [moving] let me start over and forget anything embarrassing from my old school.” “We traveled a lot when I was young. It was great to see so many different places. I have friends who I went to grade school with and then later went to college with.” “I had access to a lot of things and learned to ski in the Black Hills. We [also] did a lot of things as a family and were our own self-sufficient unit.” Of course, given the nature of the Service, growing up in a military-connected family has its own unique stressors and our respondents were not immune to them. Our respondents remembered some of their childhood hardships due to life in the service very well. “It was hard on my mom when my dad deployed without us. I did not realize the impact until much later in life. 13 months in SE Asia was almost more than she could take and it led to his eventual retirement when the Army was going to send him back a second time." “The most negative aspect for me was [that] once I got used to a location it was time to leave. Adjusting to different areas really sucked for me.” “As [for] the moving and school changing, I know that as a kid it was difficult. But at some point you just expect the loss/change, depending on your perspective.” “[Moving 5 times in a short span] was rough, as I had to make new friends and deal with bullying from the established people after each move (including on the sports teams). Moving for my senior year in high school was especially rough, as I basically had to start over in terms of making friends.” Now that we have a better understanding of both the positive and negative experiences associated with growing up in a military family, we can also appreciate why so many military-connected children choose to join the service themselves. One other reason appears to be that their background in and knowledge of the military’s culture and lifestyle serve as an advantage to their military own careers. “...I had some knowledge of the culture and environment going in. I understood the rank structure, social environment, and the social issues related to service. I was not taken aback by the need to often move. While I got homesick, it was also an adventure to see new things and places. It also gave me insights into issues that my soldiers were going through (as I had at an earlier stage of life). I also had a better understanding of the services available to soldiers, which allowed me to more effectively help them.” “I definitely knew what to expect – more so than my peers.” “I knew what life was on post and understood the Officer-NCO-Soldier relationship. [It] made adjustments easier.” “I knew before I started I would be separated from my family, and it seemed natural. I saw others who were debilitated by it, and they left the service. I also think my upbringing encouraged me to accept challenges and try my best. That always served me well in the Army.” Even though military life comes with many stressors, military-connected children today are likely to become tomorrow’s Service members. As more and more military-connected children continue following in their parents’ path, it’s crucial for us to consider their perspectives so we can better understand the military and our Service members.
BACK TO SCHOOL: MINIMIZING PCS STRESSORS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES SETTLING INTO A NEW SCHOOL
Going back to school can be a stressful yet exciting time for both parents and children. Whether you’ve just moved to a new city, or your child is transitioning from elementary school to junior high, each new school year comes with its own joys and challenges. However, some factors are unique to military families, like experiencing a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), and can cause added stress to this period of transition. It’s important for parents, children, and school personnel to be mindful of these potential stressors and understand how to buffer their effects. Potential stressors for military-connected children: According to Cramm et al. (2018), military-connected children experience, on average, 6-9 school changes before they graduate. These researchers also found that military-connected children who have relocated may experience difficulties with school engagement, academic performance, forming social connections, participating in extracurriculars, and, when applicable, maintaining special education services (Cramm et al., 2018). During a PCS, military-connected children may also experience inconsistencies in curricula between states, which can make adjusting to a new school district even more complicated. Tips for mitigating transition-related stressors for military families Although military-connected children are more likely to experience the above stressors, families and schools can also employ strategies to mitigate associated challenges. Mmari et al. (2010) found that social connection is the most important coping skill for both military children and parents during a PCS. Military families demonstrated social connections by spending time on base, identifying with military culture, and building relationships with other military families. This does not necessarily mean that military families must form new social connections – maintaining friendships can also protect parents and children from the negative effects of PCSing. Researchers found that one way students can build and maintain friendships, as well as build their sense of purpose, is through electronic communication (e.g., texting, email, video game chatting, YouTube) (Landers-Potts et al, 2017). Another study showed that greater relationship provisions (i.e., the social and emotional resources provided by close connections) resulted in lower anxiety/depression, higher levels of well-being, and better academic performance (Mancini et al., 2015). School environment and family support are also key for mitigating these military-specific stressors. Parents can support their children’s self-efficacy by reassuring them of their self-worth. This, in turn, can contribute to positive mental health, stronger well-being, and better academic performance (Mancini et al., 2015). Below are a few suggestions for bolstering military-connected children’s academic performance, along with resources for easing the transition to a new school and ways to enhance children’s social connections through extracurricular activities. Academic performance Take advantage of tutors who offer free services for military children. Learn about resources such as the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission to address common transition difficulties (e.g., meeting requirements for graduation, differences in school curriculums). Connect with a school liaison in your area who understands the common education challenges of military families. If you have a child with special needs, consider using the Individualized Education Program to ensure their educational needs are met consistently. Extracurriculars and social connection Search for military-sponsored youth programs in your area so your child can form relationships with other military-connected children. Find out if your city participates in Operation Hero, an after-school program designed to help military children cope with the frequent moves and separation of deployment. Explore websites like Bloom, a blog for empowering and connecting military teens through videos, art, and stories. Military families are resilient and have so much to offer their new communities. When things can feel inconsistent or unpredictable, staying connected with friends and family is a great way to find comfort and support. By reminding yourself and your family members of your value and self-worth, you can boost your mental health, enhance your well-being, and feel excited for another great school year!
MILITARY CHILDREN: BRAVE, COURAGEOUS, AND RESILIENT
When you think of military children, you probably think about how tough their lives must be. And sure, things such as deployments and frequent relocations are difficult. However, would you be surprised to learn that recent research showed that 95% of children with a deployed parent were able to maintain a stable household routine? Would you also be surprised to learn that more than 60% of these children stayed well-connected with their deployed Service-member parent and that they had an easy reconnection once their parent returned from deployment? A key takeaway from these findings is that being a military child requires strength, courage, and sacrifice. So, this month we honor military children for the important role they play in the armed forces community and their resiliency. To do this, we connected with six children who grew up in military families to learn about what military life was like for them. Some common themes emerged like the joy of meeting and making new friends, the pain of leaving close friends, and all military families do not share the same experiences and challenges. Once you read this piece, our hope is you are inspired to have thoughtful conversations with military-connected children and families that help them feel welcome and supported in your communities. What are some of the pros and cons of growing up in a military family? I grew up as part of a National Guard/Reserve family. One pro was that I got to tag along with my parents to work when I was younger just to see what they did. My parents always had time off around major holidays and could usually take the day off for my birthday. The main con of military life was dealing with parental separations such as when my parent was deployed. Another disadvantage, particularly related to being part of a National Guard/Reserve family, was that I didn’t have a lot of other military kids to interact with or relate to. – Killian, Army Guard & Reserve The pros were getting to move and live different places! It forced me to step out of my comfort zone and learn how to interact with people I’d never met before. The cons were also moving because of the constant changing schools where the kids had already grown up together and had their set friend groups. – Natalia, Air Force Pros of being a military child were making new friends all the time and the unique life experiences. The cons were that sometimes life is not certain; there can be a lot of worrying about the state of political affairs, wars, etc. – Moira, Navy The pros were being able to travel the world, having good health insurance, and the sense of pride that your father/mother serves their country. The primary con was that because we were a military family, my parents worked odd hours. – Hannah, Air Force A pro would be the people you meet, and a con would be having a parent that is absent at times. I was around 6 years old when my dad first deployed to Iraq, and around 9 years old when he went again. – Kinsey, Marines How many times did you move growing up? What were some of the highs and lows of moving around? I moved four times. I was born at Tyndall AFB, FL then moved to Colorado, Wisconsin, Oregon, and back to Florida. The highs were living in a new house in a new neighborhood and hoping the neighborhood had a lot of kids! The low was every time I finally felt like I had made friends, I had to move and start over. – Natalia, Air Force I only moved four times across the country. The highs of moving were always getting to make new friends and getting to redecorate a room. However, the lows were the inevitable loss of long-established friends, teachers, Girl Scout troop leaders, etc. Also, your stuff gets lost in the move! – Moira, Navy I moved 7 times. The highs were seeing new places and getting to meet new friends, whereas the lows were being either behind or ahead in school because things are taught in different orders in different states/areas. For instance, I never learned capital letters in cursive because in Virginia we learned lower case first, then we moved, my new school did upper case first. So, I learned lower case twice...This is part of the reason why I decided to homeschool my children who are being raised in the military. – Heather, Marines Our family lived in Jacksonville, North Carolina for twelve years because I had medical problems at a young age and was part of the EFMP program (special needs program now). While growing up, my dad would hop from all the bases in the area and did two 1-year tours to Japan. We did not make a major family move until I was in high school. Since I was a unique military child who didn’t move around multiple times before high school, moving in high school was a hard adjustment. But I’m so glad I experienced it! – Kinsey, Marines What were your family’s special traditions when your Service member parent returned from a deployment? My family’s thing would be a big trip to Disney World! It was always nice to celebrate being reunited in the most magical place on earth. – Killian, Army Guard & Reserves We loved getting to have dinner all together again, that was the main tradition, just a big meal. – Natalia, Air Force I remember big celebrations in air hangars in preparation for arrivals and getting to stay up late with other squadron kids. I also remember one time my best friend’s family came with us to Disney World when her dad was deployed and mine had just gotten back. – Moira, Navy What advice would you give to other military children who may be struggling to adapt to the military lifestyle? I would say to focus on the positives and try not to get too caught up in worrying about the situations your parent(s) may be in. It was always comforting to me when I thought of the good times and about what we were going to do when my parent(s) returned from deployment. – Killian, Army Guard & Reserve My advice is that it is in your best interest to be personable and outgoing (even if you have to fake it a little) for the first couple of weeks when you move somewhere new because things are so much easier once you find new friends and your niche! – Natalia, Air Force I would say always be open to new experiences. The flower of military children is the dandelion because of its ability to put roots down anywhere and thrive. People will always be interested in you and your unique perspective, and you should cherish those who support you when times are tough. Also, read a lot— it provides a convenient escape when times get tough and literary friends you’ll never lose. – Moira, Navy Although moving around a lot is tough, the bright side is that you can make friends all over the world and be introduced to so many different cultures and experiences you would’ve never had if you stayed in one area your whole childhood. My advice is to be thankful that your parent(s) is willing to sacrifice their life in service to their country. Hopefully, they can teach you the same values that have been instilled in them by being in the military. – Hannah, Air Force Be flexible and go with the flow; it’s actually a good lesson to learn for the adult world. Adjusting to change makes military children well-adjusted adults. – Heather, Marines I would tell them that it seems hard now, but it only helps you to grow, and, in the future, you will view those hard times as life-changing moments. Another thing is that it’s okay to miss your old friends and it takes time to get used to new people and a new area, but you don’t have to change who you are to do that. – Kinsey, Marines Military REACH would like to give special thanks to Killian, Natalia, Moira, Hannah, Heather, and Kinsey for sharing their stories and experiences growing up in military families.
CONNECTING RESEARCH TO PRACTICE: WHAT TO KNOW
Many helping professionals work with military families in a variety of capacities, including education, prevention and intervention programming, and therapy services. As a helping professional, it can be difficult to know what the latest research recommends, as research can be difficult to access due to costs associated with it and the time it takes to interpret each study’s findings. Additionally, knowing what the general consensus is across the body of research on military family well-being may be hard to interpret by only reading a few studies. Recognizing these challenges, Drs. Lucier-Greer, O’Neal, and Mancini shared some insight on how military family science research could be and is currently being practically applied for helping professionals who work with military families. To read more about their research, explore this brief summary highlighting the key findings from their work. Families are continually changing Military families often experience similar stressors repeatedly, such as deployment and relocation. Although a family might experience the same stressor multiple times, they experience these at different points within family life. For example, a family might experience their first deployment when a child is very young, which might influence how they manage child care or parenting in that context. The same family might experience another deployment when their child is an adolescent, which might influence roles and responsibilities within the family that a much younger child would not be able to help with (such as household chores) and parenting may look very different at this age. This could change the experience of deployment for families and could make each deployment or relocation present new challenges. Helping professionals need to remember how families change over time even when events may seem similar. Military families are first and foremost families Although military families face unique challenges associated with military life, including relocations and separations, they also experience the typical challenges related to family life. For example, military families have to manage effective parenting and communication between family members. These typical family challenges often look similar across many types of families, including civilian and military families. When working with military families, helping professionals may get caught in overly-focusing on particular military challenges and forget to address core family issues. Helping professionals must remember that typical family challenges are important for military families, even in the face of unique military stressors. Incorporating all family members Many programs available to military families are designed for service members and/or their civilian partners to participate in, often with the intention of impacting the whole family system. Additionally, many programs are available for military-connected children to participate in to enhance their well-being. Although both of these programs are important to offer, there are fewer opportunities for families to participate together in education, programs, or therapy services. Including all family members can provide opportunities to address difficulties with everyone involved, such as communication. Offering education, programs, or therapy services that all family members can participate in together can enhance the overall well-being of the family in a comprehensive way. Using resources for learning about research Using resources designed to make learning research easier can help professionals take in necessary findings more efficiently to incorporate them into their practice. For example, Military REACH is a free resource that offers brief summaries that highlight key findings and implications for helping professionals. This can help directly connect research findings to everyday practice for working with military families. Although Military REACH provides many brief summaries for the most recent research, helping professionals may find a research article of interest that they would like to read, but do not have access to. Oftentimes, it is possible to request access to a research study by emailing the listed corresponding author. Although researchers cannot share the copyrighted, published version, many are allowed to share the original document of their article at no cost to you. A simple email could provide access to an article of interest, and many authors are excited for people to read their research and are happy to share their work. Serving military families through education, programming, and therapy services is an important avenue for families to feel prepared to manage the challenges associated with military life. Being aware of research-informed suggestions and finding ways to implement them in everyday practice may continue to enhance work with military families to improve their well-being.