Parents of Veterans and Deployed Service Members

Deployed Troops  Single: 41%  Single with Children: 7%  Under the age of 24: 35%  Under the age of 27: 47% DOD (10/01 – 5/08)

Common Reintegration Issues  Changed view of self and others  Feeling “different” or “lost”  Impatience with perceived incompetence  Impatience with seemingly trivial complaints  Underemployment/ lack of direction  Difficulty finding meaning

Most Common Problems  Sleep disturbance  Anxiety in crowds or driving  Anger, irritability, and rage  Hypervigilence  Social withdrawal  Grief and guilt  Increased alcohol use

Mental Health Issues (10/01 – 1/08)  440,000 (28%) have probable PTSD or Major Depression  Only 53% have sought treatment  Only half have received better than “minimally adequate treatment” (RAND, 2008)

Most Common Diagnoses  PTSD  Depression  Anxiety  Substance Use Disorders  Adjustment Disorders  27% met 3 or more diagnoses (Seal et al., 2007)

WHEN a CHILD DEPLOYS

The Impact of Deployment on Parents “I knew what I was doing when I married a soldier. But sending my little girl off to war was a whole new ball game.” (Domenici, Best & Armstrong, 2013)

“Besides watching him leave on a dingy gray bus to go to war, the hardest thing I have ever had to do is sign a Power of Attorney document for my 18-year old son.” (Domenici, Best, & Armstrong, 2013)

The Impact of Deployment on Parents ‘‘We were both so stressed out that we rarely felt like being intimate. My wife was going through the same trauma, so I just tried not to make it worse for her and I tried (unsuccessfully) to hide my own worries’’ (Crow & Myers-Bowman, 2011)

Parents and Deployment Coping Strategies ‘‘I had none, there were no other parents around that I was aware of in my area. I cried a lot and had nightmares. I spoke to my ‘boyfriend’ but he did not understand’’ (Crow & Myers-Bowman, 2011)

WHEN a VETERAN RETURNS

Parents and Reintegration “It’s been a tough transition. He’s trying to find work and having a difficult time readjusting to life here.” “He’s so confused about what to do- should he get a job or go to school.” (Domenici, Best, & Armstrong, 2013)

Why Veterans Go to School Male veterans between the ages of 18 and 24 have an unemployment rate of 29.1%, while a comparable group of young male non-veterans have an unemployment rate of 17.1% (Economic News Release, 2012)

PARENTS OF VETERANS SURVEY

Respondents Twice as many mothers as fathers responded. Two fathers had also served in the military Most were in their late 40’s or early 50’s Variety of occupations including –homemakers/stay at home moms –and retirees Most were married (1 divorced one widowed) Most been married for 20 years or more Both parents involved in raising their children

Respondent’s Sons Most were Active Duty, but one was in the Reserve –All major branches –Both officers and enlisted 63% deployed twice –Deployed in both Iraq and Afghanistan –62% in 20’s 80% served 3 – 8 years 50% still in military (active duty or reserve)

Respondent’s Sons Age: 62% in 20’s Relationships –40% single –30% married/partnered –10% divorced –30% have their own children 60% are employed; 10% in school

Concerns Parents Have General Worries about Son’s Concerns about son’s relationships Concerns about financial stress of going to school Concerns about Anger and Substance Abuse

Concerns Parents Have

Ways of Taking Care of Self

What Respondents Are Not Doing

RESOURCES

Resources Needed for Parents “To be honest, parents like us who are involved in our military kid’s life don’t get much help from the military or VA unless our daughter’s children and husband are part of the picture.” (Domenici, Best & Armstrong, 2013)

Resources Needed for Parents (from Survey) Sources to Help Financially with School Closer military medical services

Caregiver Support Program Caregiver Support Line:

Resources for Parents Books Courage After Fire: Coping Strategies for Troops Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and Their Families. Armstrong, Best & Domenici, When Someone you Love Suffers from Posttraumatic Stress, Zayfert, Courage After Fire for Parents of Service Members: Strategies for Coping When your Son or Daughter Returns from Deployment, Domenici, Best & Armstrong, 2013.

Online Parent Resources