Advocacy for Children in Military Deployed Families: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Outcomes
Overview
This paper examines the psychological and social impacts of military deployment on children whose parents serve in the armed forces. The author argues that military children face significant mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, and academic decline, and advocates for increased government support through enhanced financial, psychological, and social services for these vulnerable families.
What this essay covers
- Introduction with deployment statistics and overview of negative impacts on military children
- Detailed analysis of psychological and behavioral consequences including anxiety, depression, internalizing behaviors, and academic performance decline
- Discussion of family-level impacts including maltreatment risks, marital disruption, and broader social consequences affecting 75% of military personnel with dependent children
- Advocacy conclusion recommending government policy revision for enhanced military family support packages
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Advocacy for Children in Military Deployed Families
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Since the global war began, approximately more than 2 million members of the military service have been deployed (Department of Defense,2011). Statistical data shows that more than 4,500 deaths have been experienced among military members. Moreover, approximately more than 30,000 others have sustained serious injuries during operation. Deployment may hurt children and their mental health outcomes. Paternal absence is associated with more significant anxiety for some children. Children of deployed parents are associated with higher levels of internalizing behavior, such as feeling sad or over-controlled. The children have a decrement in academic performance, with most of them having low test scores. Increased risk taking behaviours and diminished opportunity for various social activities. During the period of separation most children show signs of increased depression and behavioral problems. Deployment related issues may manifest as child maltreatment which may be physical, emotional, sexual or child neglect. The rate of maltreatment of children with deployed parents calls for immediate intervention.
The deployed have children and spouses and hence the consequences of these catastrophies are felt beyond individual level. Roughly over 75% of the US military personnel have dependent children (Deputy under the Secretary of Defense,2009). These families are likely to develop mental health problems that are associated with post traumatic stress disorders. Moreover, advanced stages of stress could lead depression among families of the deployed. Furthermore, marriages are also disoriented due to regular relocations and disruption of family routines.