Emotional Stress On Military Families Research Paper
Lorena Garcia
November 22, 2013
Y. Isaac Hinojosa
Composition 1
Emotional Stress on Military Service Families
The deployment of a loved one in the militry service leads to emotional stress to the family left behind with hope to hold on to. Kendra N. Lowe talks about development of stress on the families caused by deployments. Lowe says, "Military life can also be extremely stressful on families and children due to prolonged absence of the active duty member during deployments, TDYs, and frequent trainings"(3). Deployments can be a very big transition on a military family. The family begins to face different obstacles, having to adapt to the change of not having their mother or father there anymore. Everyone in the family picks up new …show more content…
duties around the house helping each other in different ways. When my father was deployed I would make my little sisters lunch, wash the dishes, and separate the clothes for my mom. Doing those little things in the house I hoped it took off some stress from my mom. William R. Saltzman talks talks about the increase in deployment ater the falling of the twin towers, and children left behind on this tragic event. Saltzman says, "Since September 11, 2001, approximately 900000 children have had a parent who deployed multiple times as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom"(2). Many spouses, and children were forced to say good bye to their mother or father after this tragic event. Operation Iraq freedom seperated many families, causing emotional stress throughout the military families. After 9/11 my dad was deployed quickly to Irap for several months. The deployent was so sudden and the adjustment was extreamly difficult on my family and I. We were unsure where my father was at times because of the lack of communication we had with him. A deployment on a military family can be very stressful adjusting, adapting and overcoming during this hard time may seem impossible at times.
The sudden change of not seeing a loved one everyday begins to take an emotional toll. Patricia Lesture, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Flake emphasize that children fear not knowing if their parent will return the same or at all. Lesture, Flake says, "Children have said goodbye with the perspective worry that their mother or father might return injured, or might not return at all"(26). Children may not know exactly what is going on, but what they do know is their mother or father that left them may or may not come home. That fear may turn into a want, the child wants nothing more but to be with their mother or father. That want turns into a need, they need their mother or father by their side just like they were before they left them. I have been saying goodbye to my dad since I was a little girl, and it has never been an easy thing for me. The difficulty adapting to not having my dad by side when I needed him, was never an easy thing to get used to. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs talks about the challenges military families come across through deployment. U.S. Department of Veterans Affair say, "While frequent moves, absence of the military parent, and other stresses are common for military families, the deployment of a parent to a combat zone represents a challenge of a different magnitude"(3). After several days, weeks, or months being away from a loved one, missing them is of course expected. One might experience different emotions, not knowing how to express, while trying to be strong. A wife or husband wants their spouse by their side to comfort them. Children desire attention to fill that gap that is missing, because of their mommy or daddy being away. When my dad would leave I closed myself off from everyone, especially my family. I had hoped by doing this, I could receive the attention I so deeply desired. Deprivation of my loved one has instilled strength in me.
When someone is deployed in the military service for a long period of time it is due to missions that must be made, help on a base, or thir needed in combat.
Committee on the Initial Assesment of Reajustment Needs of Military Personnel describe what exactly deployment is, and the affects its come with toward the family left behind. Committee on the Initial Assesment of Initial Assement of Reajustment Needs of Military personnel Describe deployment as, “The relocation of forces and material to desired operational areas"(1). Being in an area unaccustomed with may be difficult. Surrounded by unfamiliar things, and people one may need some time to adjust . At home not having a loved one there anymore may impact everyday life into something you are unaware of. It took a lot of time for me and my family to adjust to my dad being gone. He played a big role in our everyday life and when he suddenly was not there anymore we had to fill the role he played. National Military Family Association describes the meaning of what deployment is. National Military Family Association says, "A deployment is moving a person or a military unit from the United States to an overseas location to accomplish a task or mission. This can mean anything from six months on a ship to a year in combat"(2). Deployment may be a few days, a week, a month, several month to even a year or more. A soilder gets sent away on a duty that must be completed in the time period they are given. They become distant from …show more content…
their family left back home, and must adjust to a lifestyle they are not use to. I have learned to not worry about the little things, because there are far more bigger things going on. Not only myself but my family had to improvise, adapt, and overcome a change we had no choice. This is one of the many dilemmas military families, and soldiers face throughout deployment.
Deployment of a loved one may cause a great deal of emotional stress on the family back home concerned for their soldier.
Barbara G. Melamed, and Carl Castro talks about how children develop behavioral and stress disorders while their mother or father is away. Melamed, Castro stress "…services for behavioral disorders grew by 19% and services for stress disorders grew by 18%"(Par 36). Children go through many different types of emotions while their soldier is away. They may not have the courage to say what they are feeling, because they are trying to stay strong for their family. Or, they are unsure of the feelings they are feeling and do not have someone to comfort them in their time of need. Children go through a big change, and they have no say or control over the situation. The emotional build up can turn into anger, rebellion, keeping to themselves, or taking things out on others. The first time my dad got deployed to Irap I was in the second grade, and I was an angry second grader. My teacher made me go to a counsler everyday to talk about things, and I didn’t even understand why I was so angry. I would go home and pretend like I was perfectly fine so my mom and siblings would be happy. Trenton James and Jacqueline Countryman talk about a change in behavior with children dealing with the deployment of a parent. James, Countryman says, "A survey showed 20 percent of military spouses reported increases in problem behavior exhibited by their children at home in response
to parental deployment, and 21 percent reported increased levels of fear and anxiety with their children"(7) The fear of losing a parent, or spouse in anyway is a fear everyone undoubtedly has. Losing a parent, or spouse because they 're doing their job can bring up so many unexpected emotions. The waiting game plays out for the family, while the haunting worrying of two men showing up at the doorstep with the heart breaking news that their solider has been killed in battle. There were several incidences when I knew my dad would not call for a couple weeks. During those times I felt vulnerable, there was nothing I could do to comfort my mom or siblings, and as much as I wanted to break down and cry, I knew I couldn’t. The stress and depression unravels on a family as days, weeks and even months go by with their loved one away at battle.
Once the what seems like never ending wait for the solider to return from deployment happens, the struggles have not ended. The adjustment back to a normal lifestyle for everyone in the family can be difficult. Helping the soldier adjust back to feeling safe in their home and comfortable with their family. Debrah A. Gibbs talks about the struggles the family and soldier face after the deployment. "…emerging research suggests that a significant proportion experience substanfial challenges during and after deployment. These impacts include marital and family stress, family violence, and adjustment difficulties for both parents and children"(3). After the deployment comes the adjustment back to normal for everyone begins. No more stressing over their deployed soldier, although now worried of their condition upon returning. Being there for your loved one and helping them feel like they are safe now being back home and with their family. When my dad comes home we greet him with big loving open arms. We are not allowed to ask him what went on while he was gone, because he gets very upset which leads to him drinking. We have stayed strong and helped my dad through his struggles when he is back home with us. Patricia Lestures and Lieutenant Colonel Eric Flake share how the deployment strengthens the soldier, spouse, and the children. Giving them the upmost pride in the family staying strong and serving the country. Lesture, Flake say, "When a military father or mother volunteers to serve our country, their children do so as well"(53). Although there are countless positive upon the arrival of the beloved soilder, there are also negative problems that arise. The positive in the coming home of a soldier is the pride. Knowing that not only the soldier who was away, but also the family, had the strength to overcome the emotional stress of the deployment gives a sense of pride. I am a very proud daughter to say that my father has served his country for twenty-eight years, and he has returned home safely from every deployment. Military services comes with many concerns throughout the deployment of a loved one, but as a strong military family we adjusted, adapted, and have overcame every deployment that came our way.
Work Cited berkowitz, S.. N.p.. Web. 27 Nov 2013. . Committee on the Initial Assessment of Veterans, and their Families (2010). Washington, D.C.:http:// www.nap.edu/catalog/12812.html
Coutryman, J., and T. James. 24 Nov 2013. .
Gibbs, Deborah A. “Military Medicine”. Oct2012, Vol. 177 Issue 10, p1178-1183. 6p Lowe, Kendra “Journal of Family Studies.” Jun2012, Vol. 18 Issue 1, p17-27. 11p.
National Military Family Association, 2013. All Rights Reserved. 2500 North Van Dorn St., Suite 102, Alexandria, VA 22302-1601
Melamed, Barbara, Castro, Carl “Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings”. Jun2011, Vol. 18 Issue 2, p210-223. 14p. 1 Color Photograph.
Saltzman, William R. “American Journal of Public Health”. Mar2012 Supplement 1, Vol. 102 Issue S1, pS48-S54. 7p. 2 Charts.
Zeber, John E. “Mental Health in Family Medicine”. 2010, Vol. 7 Issue 3, p135-143. 9p. 3 Charts.
November 22, 2013
Y. Isaac Hinojosa
Composition 1
Emotional Stress on Military Service Families
The deployment of a loved one in the militry service leads to emotional stress to the family left behind with hope to hold on to. Kendra N. Lowe talks about development of stress on the families caused by deployments. Lowe says, "Military life can also be extremely stressful on families and children due to prolonged absence of the active duty member during deployments, TDYs, and frequent trainings"(3). Deployments can be a very big transition on a military family. The family begins to face different obstacles, having to adapt to the change of not having their mother or father there anymore. Everyone in the family picks up new …show more content…
duties around the house helping each other in different ways. When my father was deployed I would make my little sisters lunch, wash the dishes, and separate the clothes for my mom. Doing those little things in the house I hoped it took off some stress from my mom. William R. Saltzman talks talks about the increase in deployment ater the falling of the twin towers, and children left behind on this tragic event. Saltzman says, "Since September 11, 2001, approximately 900000 children have had a parent who deployed multiple times as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom"(2). Many spouses, and children were forced to say good bye to their mother or father after this tragic event. Operation Iraq freedom seperated many families, causing emotional stress throughout the military families. After 9/11 my dad was deployed quickly to Irap for several months. The deployent was so sudden and the adjustment was extreamly difficult on my family and I. We were unsure where my father was at times because of the lack of communication we had with him. A deployment on a military family can be very stressful adjusting, adapting and overcoming during this hard time may seem impossible at times.
The sudden change of not seeing a loved one everyday begins to take an emotional toll. Patricia Lesture, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Flake emphasize that children fear not knowing if their parent will return the same or at all. Lesture, Flake says, "Children have said goodbye with the perspective worry that their mother or father might return injured, or might not return at all"(26). Children may not know exactly what is going on, but what they do know is their mother or father that left them may or may not come home. That fear may turn into a want, the child wants nothing more but to be with their mother or father. That want turns into a need, they need their mother or father by their side just like they were before they left them. I have been saying goodbye to my dad since I was a little girl, and it has never been an easy thing for me. The difficulty adapting to not having my dad by side when I needed him, was never an easy thing to get used to. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs talks about the challenges military families come across through deployment. U.S. Department of Veterans Affair say, "While frequent moves, absence of the military parent, and other stresses are common for military families, the deployment of a parent to a combat zone represents a challenge of a different magnitude"(3). After several days, weeks, or months being away from a loved one, missing them is of course expected. One might experience different emotions, not knowing how to express, while trying to be strong. A wife or husband wants their spouse by their side to comfort them. Children desire attention to fill that gap that is missing, because of their mommy or daddy being away. When my dad would leave I closed myself off from everyone, especially my family. I had hoped by doing this, I could receive the attention I so deeply desired. Deprivation of my loved one has instilled strength in me.
When someone is deployed in the military service for a long period of time it is due to missions that must be made, help on a base, or thir needed in combat.
Committee on the Initial Assesment of Reajustment Needs of Military Personnel describe what exactly deployment is, and the affects its come with toward the family left behind. Committee on the Initial Assesment of Initial Assement of Reajustment Needs of Military personnel Describe deployment as, “The relocation of forces and material to desired operational areas"(1). Being in an area unaccustomed with may be difficult. Surrounded by unfamiliar things, and people one may need some time to adjust . At home not having a loved one there anymore may impact everyday life into something you are unaware of. It took a lot of time for me and my family to adjust to my dad being gone. He played a big role in our everyday life and when he suddenly was not there anymore we had to fill the role he played. National Military Family Association describes the meaning of what deployment is. National Military Family Association says, "A deployment is moving a person or a military unit from the United States to an overseas location to accomplish a task or mission. This can mean anything from six months on a ship to a year in combat"(2). Deployment may be a few days, a week, a month, several month to even a year or more. A soilder gets sent away on a duty that must be completed in the time period they are given. They become distant from …show more content…
their family left back home, and must adjust to a lifestyle they are not use to. I have learned to not worry about the little things, because there are far more bigger things going on. Not only myself but my family had to improvise, adapt, and overcome a change we had no choice. This is one of the many dilemmas military families, and soldiers face throughout deployment.
Deployment of a loved one may cause a great deal of emotional stress on the family back home concerned for their soldier.
Barbara G. Melamed, and Carl Castro talks about how children develop behavioral and stress disorders while their mother or father is away. Melamed, Castro stress "…services for behavioral disorders grew by 19% and services for stress disorders grew by 18%"(Par 36). Children go through many different types of emotions while their soldier is away. They may not have the courage to say what they are feeling, because they are trying to stay strong for their family. Or, they are unsure of the feelings they are feeling and do not have someone to comfort them in their time of need. Children go through a big change, and they have no say or control over the situation. The emotional build up can turn into anger, rebellion, keeping to themselves, or taking things out on others. The first time my dad got deployed to Irap I was in the second grade, and I was an angry second grader. My teacher made me go to a counsler everyday to talk about things, and I didn’t even understand why I was so angry. I would go home and pretend like I was perfectly fine so my mom and siblings would be happy. Trenton James and Jacqueline Countryman talk about a change in behavior with children dealing with the deployment of a parent. James, Countryman says, "A survey showed 20 percent of military spouses reported increases in problem behavior exhibited by their children at home in response
to parental deployment, and 21 percent reported increased levels of fear and anxiety with their children"(7) The fear of losing a parent, or spouse in anyway is a fear everyone undoubtedly has. Losing a parent, or spouse because they 're doing their job can bring up so many unexpected emotions. The waiting game plays out for the family, while the haunting worrying of two men showing up at the doorstep with the heart breaking news that their solider has been killed in battle. There were several incidences when I knew my dad would not call for a couple weeks. During those times I felt vulnerable, there was nothing I could do to comfort my mom or siblings, and as much as I wanted to break down and cry, I knew I couldn’t. The stress and depression unravels on a family as days, weeks and even months go by with their loved one away at battle.
Once the what seems like never ending wait for the solider to return from deployment happens, the struggles have not ended. The adjustment back to a normal lifestyle for everyone in the family can be difficult. Helping the soldier adjust back to feeling safe in their home and comfortable with their family. Debrah A. Gibbs talks about the struggles the family and soldier face after the deployment. "…emerging research suggests that a significant proportion experience substanfial challenges during and after deployment. These impacts include marital and family stress, family violence, and adjustment difficulties for both parents and children"(3). After the deployment comes the adjustment back to normal for everyone begins. No more stressing over their deployed soldier, although now worried of their condition upon returning. Being there for your loved one and helping them feel like they are safe now being back home and with their family. When my dad comes home we greet him with big loving open arms. We are not allowed to ask him what went on while he was gone, because he gets very upset which leads to him drinking. We have stayed strong and helped my dad through his struggles when he is back home with us. Patricia Lestures and Lieutenant Colonel Eric Flake share how the deployment strengthens the soldier, spouse, and the children. Giving them the upmost pride in the family staying strong and serving the country. Lesture, Flake say, "When a military father or mother volunteers to serve our country, their children do so as well"(53). Although there are countless positive upon the arrival of the beloved soilder, there are also negative problems that arise. The positive in the coming home of a soldier is the pride. Knowing that not only the soldier who was away, but also the family, had the strength to overcome the emotional stress of the deployment gives a sense of pride. I am a very proud daughter to say that my father has served his country for twenty-eight years, and he has returned home safely from every deployment. Military services comes with many concerns throughout the deployment of a loved one, but as a strong military family we adjusted, adapted, and have overcame every deployment that came our way.
Work Cited berkowitz, S.. N.p.. Web. 27 Nov 2013. . Committee on the Initial Assessment of Veterans, and their Families (2010). Washington, D.C.:http:// www.nap.edu/catalog/12812.html
Coutryman, J., and T. James. 24 Nov 2013. .
Gibbs, Deborah A. “Military Medicine”. Oct2012, Vol. 177 Issue 10, p1178-1183. 6p Lowe, Kendra “Journal of Family Studies.” Jun2012, Vol. 18 Issue 1, p17-27. 11p.
National Military Family Association, 2013. All Rights Reserved. 2500 North Van Dorn St., Suite 102, Alexandria, VA 22302-1601
Melamed, Barbara, Castro, Carl “Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings”. Jun2011, Vol. 18 Issue 2, p210-223. 14p. 1 Color Photograph.
Saltzman, William R. “American Journal of Public Health”. Mar2012 Supplement 1, Vol. 102 Issue S1, pS48-S54. 7p. 2 Charts.
Zeber, John E. “Mental Health in Family Medicine”. 2010, Vol. 7 Issue 3, p135-143. 9p. 3 Charts.