Reference:
Military Family Research Institute. (2005). Adjustment among adolescents in military families when a parent is deployed. West Lafayette, IN: Huebner, A., & Mancini, J.
Summary:
This qualitative study explores the many dimensions of the deployment experiences of 107 adolescents (54 percent male) in military families in order to better inform program professionals in developing support programs for young people. The focus is on adolescent resilience—their ability to respond to changes in family life related to the demands of military service. Key themes emerging from predeployment, deployment, post-deployment/reunion, stress, changes in routines and responsibilities, behaviors, and at-home parent are discussed along with findings on adolescent support networks. Implications for program professionals re provision of services and curriculum development as well as implications related to deployment phases are put forth.