Cycle of Deployment and Family Well Being Chapter 19 Cycle of Deployment and Family Well Being

Combat Stress Continuum of posttraumatic stress symptoms Family can be affected by subclinical thresholds; therefore, early intervention is needed, particularly in the context of the family. Typical individual and family-level interventions should include short-term brief therapy models, involving problem solving, behavioral modification techniques, and principles of cognitive and narrative therapies.

Deployment Stressors: Predeployment Stressful tasks need to be completed. Worries about deployment impact on spouses, children, and stability of marriage. Psychoeducational predeployment interventions offered by military installations for military members and their families on items such as: How to handle the deployment and subsequent family separation. Improving life skills. Finance, household responsibilities, parenting struggles, single parenthood and communication skill building (e.g., communicating with children about deployment). Additionally, information and referral follow-up services, and planting seeds for reintegration.

Deployment/Sustainment Stressors Sustainment can be taxing for the stay-behind parent and children for a number of different reasons:  Military spouses take on new responsibilities that were typically handled by the service member spouse.  These responsibilities range from household maintenance and managing the family finances to becoming the sole parent for the children.  This reorganization of responsibilities and routines can become particularly stressful for the remaining spouses and children.  Military support programs during deployment Respite care Psychoeducational boosters, such as life-skills classes, etc. Short-term counseling for persistent psychological symptoms for spouses and children Military OneSource: A 24/7 web-based and telephonic based referral service that offers service members and their spouses referrals for free short term confidential stabilization counseling services in the civilian sector; it also provide many other support resources. Support groups

Redeployment/Postdeployment Stressors The redeployment stage begins with a honeymoon period that can last from a few days to a number of weeks, which occurs when the military members return to their family after the deployment. Postdeployment occurs after the honeymoon period and can be the most stressful stage of the cycle of deployment. Developmental milestones have changed family members. Spouses have become more autonomous. Children have advanced through various life stages.   Repeat deployments exacerbate the challenge. Military programs to support redeployment and postdeployment. Family education and counseling services regarding: positive communication gaining an understanding of appropriate expectations taking time to become reacquainted with one another Helping families reconstitute Recognizing the multitude of emotions

Deployment Impact on Military Spouses and Marital Relationships Higher divorce rates Difficulty expressing emotion between partners Intimacy problems Caregiver burden Secondary trauma Intimate partner violence Victims may be afraid to report it (career implications)

Impact on Children Emotional distress of parent’s absence and worry about safe return Risk for depression, behavioral difficulties, irritability and impulsiveness Increased risk of child abuse

Family Advocacy Program Aim: prevention and treatment of family violence and abuse Two types of reporting options for domestic violence Restricted Victim reports domestic violence to one of the following professionals: a victim advocate, medical providers, or a chaplain. This avenue affords victims the opportunity to receive assistance without the notification of law enforcement or the chain of command. Unrestricted Report given to victim advocates, military police officials, or military chain of command. Victims continue to receive prompt assistance with safety and advocacy, while also engaging the processes that ensure offender accountability (e.g., police reports and commander notification). If a victim elects to conduct a restricted report, he or she may then determine to change the report to unrestricted at a later date. Abuse hotline numbers

Family Advocacy Program (Continued) Core aim: Assessing for the safety of potential child abuse or spousal abuse victims When a victim’s safety is in question Military commanders physically separate victims and offenders. Military protective orders issued to potential service member offenders. Services Couples counseling Psychoeducational classes Collaboration with local child protective service agencies Counseling services Offender accountability Group and individual Referral sources Self Command Collateral agencies Within the installation Nearby civilian communities

Family Advocacy Program (Continued) Victim advocacy services Available 24/7 Safety planning, system navigation, legal advocacy, and case management coordination Treatment components Helping professionals typically utilize cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapies, and support groups in their work with victims Offenders are typically mandated into an offender group where they learn: techniques that challenge their belief systems new skills aimed at behavior change Military family life consultants (MFLC’s) Assist communities during times of high deployment Short-term problem solving (community based, nonmedical) confidential counseling for service members and their spouses in distress. Reduce stigma attached to seeking help within a military environment Offered at military community counseling centers, in military units, at local schools, summer camps and child care facilities. The family life consultants are trained to help families deal with family separation and deployment stressors using a problem-solving model.