Reference:
Walker, D. I., Cardin, J. F., Chawla, N., Topp, D., Burton, T., & MacDermid Wadsworth, S. M. (2014). Effectiveness of a multimedia outreach kit for families of wounded veterans. Disability and Health Journal 7(2), 216–25. doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2013.11.004
Summary:
Young children in military families with a member who has a life changing injury can experience emotional difficulties and behavior changes. This study evaluated a Sesame Workshop multimedia kit which included video and print materials, aimed to help caregivers assist young children as they adjusted to their parent’s injury. The authors hypothesized that use of the materials would produce improvements in caregiver and child outcomes as well as reductions in perceptions of disruption in the home. The authors also predicted that kit-use would have a positive impact on the family. The research found that all materials were well used and highly rated. All caregivers reported less social isolation, less child aggression, and significantly less disruptive home environments after kit use. Test group caregivers reported significantly greater reductions in depressive symptoms and significant increases in children’s social competence over time in comparison to the control group. These results signal important improvements among families as a consequence of using either test or control materials.