Impact of Stress on Families during Military Deployments - Research Paper Example

Impact of Stress on Families during Military Deployments Introduction It was in the last weeks of 2001 when President Bush and his administration decided that the attacks of 9/11 were a serious threat to their existence and the best possible way of self-defense is to declare a war. Soon the American military troops entered into Afghanistan. Moreover, on March 20, 2003, the same happened; however, this time, Iraq witnessed the deployment of American military troops. Since then, there has been a lot of debate, everywhere in the world, regarding these decisions of the Bush administration. Without any doubts, these decisions have only affected America, Iraq, and Afghanistan but in some way or the other the environment around all the nations is no more the same. The American troops are still there and the debate about the right and wrong is still going on. Surely, these wars have cost the United States in some serious manner. Moreover, this cost has not only been financial and economic but also they have incurred costs, in terms of human resources and time used. In addition, the opportunity costs of these decisions were considerably sky scraping. However, the problem does not end here. The lists of damages and costs are excessively long (Buddin, Gill, Zimmer, & Rand Corporation, 2001). In fact, they include many unseen and unnoticed costs as well. Out of these unseen, unnoticed and not widely discussed costs is the damage done to the military families during the deployments of their loved ones. Despite the fact, that this topic is getting some attention for the experts and media people lately, however, yet not to the extent, to which it should be discussed and understood. This paper focuses on the problem of understanding the impact and relation of military deployments and their effects on their families. The effects are multidimensional since they can be mental, physical, economic, financial, and emotional. However, this paper mainly focuses on problems related to stress levels and others that have their effects on the mental, psychological, emotional and relationships of those families. With widening the dimensions of the problem mentioned above, this paper would try to investigate both the current and future effects of these deployments and the difference between these effects on children and spouses in terms of well bring and emotional stability. In addition, the effects during periods of pre-deployment, deployment, sustainment, re-deployment and post deployment, differences in the results for a civilian wife and a civilian husband, relations of these effects to ethnicities of the civilian spouse and the length of military service and military rank. The criterion for the research is quite evident; Military families who have or who are witnessing the deployment of their loved ones, at least once and for minimum of 6 months. The term military includes army, navy, air force and national guards. All the findings presented below exclude non-married couples from their samples. This paper moves forward on the hypothesis that “Military deployments lead to considerable impact on stress levels, mental, emotional and psychological conditions of their families.” The rest of the paper is an attempt to prove, verify, and explore different dimensions of this hypothesis with a few previous researches. Despite the fact that all the information given below is from authorized sources and carefully researched but yet this data is not necessarily 100 percent accurate. The reason being that the overall population of the subjects of the hypothesis are in millions and the all the researches discussed below have their samples sizes of less than 1000 people therefore there is a substantial risk of error and misinterpretation (Peffer, 1996). Moreover, all the data discussed below is mainly focusing the military deployments of US soldiers and their affects on their families. Therefore, if there is any difference in the behaviors and attitudes of deployed people than this report is unable to highlight or cater that part. Discussion American Psychiatric Association made one of the significant moves for researching this topic in the year 2007 (Levine, 2009). This study concluded that the children of military soldiers of the United States are at a greater risk of maltreatment when their parents are at deployment or away from home. Researchers provided the readers with the figure of 42 percent increase for the percentage increase of children facing maltreatment when their parents are serving their motherland away from home as compared to when their parents are with them (Buckholtz, 2009). Data from the army database provided by the Army central registry from September 2001 to December 2004 was the basis of this study. According to the number revealed by them, the reported number of incidents of maltreatment or child abuse is 942 during the military deployment of their parents. The study showed that out of these 942 reported, confirmed incidents 67.7 percent incidents were of moderate to severe intensity, and the rest of the 32.3 percent were incidents of mild nature (Buckholtz, 2009). The research focused on mainly four types of maltreatment forms, namely “neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. As expected, 80.8 percent of these incidents were of child neglect, 10 percent parents physically abused their children, emotional abuse was around 3 percent, and a minor 1.9 percent parents sexually abused their child or children” (Buckholtz, 2009). This sample of 2968 children also comprised of children who had their mothers working for the military and their fathers staying back and taking care of them. A small 5.7 percent of the sample had civilian fathers and the rest had their fathers in military with civilian mothers. The researchers concluded that civilian mothers are four times more likely to abuse their children as compared to civilian fathers (Buckholtz, 2009). Despite the fact that this study was not focusing in this dimension but still it end up finding that white American Non-Hispanic wives of military soldiers are more likely to mistreat their children then females from any other ethnicity or race. The study also showed that children in the age bracket of 2-12 are the most likely to subject neglect and mistreatment than children from other age brackets (Levin, 2007). Surprisingly, more than one deployment of parents had no relation with increased rates of neglect or abuse, instead the rates showed little or no increase with increasing deployments except for constant deployment. However, the researchers (Levin, 2007) did not seem to be satisfied with this specific result. They thought that there would be many other variables affecting these results that would come on the scene with further research. In addition, the total number of children alone in the United States who have their parents working in the military is more than 2 million (Boss & Mulligan, 2003). Since this is quite a huge figure, therefore, only more studies can let us conclude something rock solid. All these findings helped the experts to accept the result and conclusions of a study that happened earlier in this decade. Based on the data of state of “Texas from National Child Abuse and Neglect system” (Britt, Adler, Castro, 2006), Professor Rentz conducted this study. Professor Rentz is a Ph.D. and now serves as an Epidemic Intelligence Control Officer in Atlanta at the “Center for Disease Control and Prevention” (Britt, Adler, Castro, 2006). According to the study conducted by abovementioned expert and his colleagues, the rates of mistreatment of children have been traditionally low as compared to the civilian families. However, the trend started reversing by the end of the year 2002 when the Afghanistan war was touching its peak. The rates of child abuse doubled by the end of year 2003 in military families; however, the same in civilian families remained the same (Britt, Adler, Castro, 2006). These studies (Britt, Adler, Castro, 2006) helped the experts to conclude there is a significant increase in child abuse by the civilian mothers during the deployment of their spouses. It is obvious that this happens due to much stress related elements. During deployment, the spouse obviously faces an emotional trauma and the pain of separation causes significant disturbance. In addition, what makes the situation even worse is the fear of the spouse not coming back. Every now and then wives try them selves not to think that something would happen to their spouse. In fact, as period of deployment increases the risk of losing your spouse in the war also increases (Karney, & Crown, 2007). Problems of financial nature can also be a reason of increased stress. In addition, many other elements like increased responsibilities due to the absence of spouse, sexual needs, and emotional backing are potential causes of stress that lead to their child abuses. Another point that the researchers pointed was that despite the fact that it is difficult to measure the stress of these wives but it is obvious that the levels are touching the extreme heights (Leyva, 2009). The researchers concluded this on the obvious of the fact that mothers are usually the most loving and caring for their kids, and if there were so many cases of child abuses for young kids then definitely there would be something unusual, intolerable and very serious about the condition of those mothers. Another recent study published by the journal of behavioral and developmental pediatrics, one third of the families who have their loved ones deployed at war, is at a “high risk of psychological problems.” The study randomly surveyed 101 army families who fulfilled these criteria and used a questionnaire as tool for their research (Levin, 2007). This study opened new dimensions of research in this field. The results from this study showed that many children confessed that their worry, cry and find themselves anxious most of the times. In addition, the researchers said that high stress levels of spouses and high neglect and abuse rates of children are not a phenomenon that remains restricted to only the deployment, but it is the post deployment period where this phenomenon takes a severe and serious shape (Levin, 2007). Three fourth of the participants of this survey agreed to this point made above. On reunification, not only there is excitement, there are emotions, love, romance, relief but also there is also a fear of re-separation (Blanchard, 1992). In addition, military fathers at time find it difficult to get them resettled in the family again and the transition phase becomes a tough one. Not only is it the readjustment in the family but also when the father comes back, the family asks them for compensation of the previous time of his deployment. Moreover, financial pressures also could be a reason of high levels of stress. Experts also view the inability to the military men to come out of that brutal, ruthless, aggressive, and cold-blooded mindset of war, as the reason of fights amongst the families (Buddin, Gill, Zimmer, & Rand Corporation, 2001). Nevertheless, the complaining nature of women about the periods when their military spouse was not there also could be a reason of these fights and tension periods (McCubbin, Dahl, & Hunter, 1976). Another interesting find was the correlation of parent education and income with their chances of their families being at psychological risk. The study revealed that the mother having at least college education that lower chances of them and their children being at psychological risk then wives who are not that much educated. Even more interesting was the fact that educated and working women had the least chances of being at risk and their families’ showed the least levels of stress. Experts are of the view that their education would have made them able to cope with challenges with a higher degree of maturity and their working status gives them a chance to keep all the financial problems away from them (Hall, 2008). In addition, work place also gives friends with whom one can share there problems. Interestingly, working women also showed low percentages of child abuse since they are not at home all the time and they do not get this chance for all the day (Hosek, Kavanagh, Miller, & Miller, 2006). This study, like the previous one, showed that military rank and number of deployments had no significant effect on stress levels. At the end of this study, the researchers showed their concern by saying that “how far is the rubber band going to stretch” (Chandra, Burns, Tanielian, Jaycox, Scott, 2008). This shows that if something substantial does not happen then the bubble will blow up any time and then the consequences would be disastrous. Another study conducted by the center of military health policy research was further helpful in understanding and proving the hypothesis of this paper. The experts of this research were able to present a cycle for this process, which works in stages. They pointed that summing up all the affects and elements related to the subject, this process has five distinct stages. The first stage of pre-deployment ranges from the time when the family gets to know about the official orders of the deployment of their family members until the member leaves the place for the job. The second stage is of deployment, which experts tend to define as the first month of deployment. The third stage is of sustainment, which consists of the period other than the first month until the return of the service member (Martin, Rosen & Sparacino, 2000). The fourth stage is of re-deployment, which consists of the last month of deployment. The last and the final stage of this process of post deployment, which starts with the service member’s return to home, resettling, readjusting and sometimes going back to the first stages on cases of multiple deployments. This research mainly focused on finding out the stress levels, their reasons, and solutions for these specific stages of the process. This model talks about pre deployment in the sense of problem initiator. This particular phase brings along with itself the realization and the absorption of the shock that the military member is leaving. At times, the family members enter into a state of denial because they are unable to accept the reality (Levine, 2009). The service member himself experiences the stress since he or she has a little time to make sure that everything is in order for his leaving. Arguments with the spouse, inability of the family members to detach themselves, regressive attitudes of children and stress related to increased responsibilities of winding up jobs are the major activities that lead to stress reacted situations in this phase. These families also try to spend more and more time together so that they can earn some good memories and compensate for the upcoming distances. The next phase of deployment is one of the most stressful for the family. Feelings of “loneliness, isolation, fear, grief, sadness, panic, anguish, depression, despair, and pain” are the most common ones felt by the family members (Levine, 2009). Poor eating habits and sleeping problems are also some of the issues faced by the family members. The phase of sustainability is a tricky one. The stress levels show a U shaped pattern on a graph. They are initially high when the family members have not come over the trauma of leaving. However, as the time passes on they try to adjust in their lives. Surprisingly, the anxiety and stress levels start moving towards the peak levels when the deployment does not seem to be ending (Levine, 2009). Mixed feelings of anxiety, excitement, happiness, and tiredness mark the phase of redeployment. The research regarding the last phase of post deployment showed the same results as of the previous researches when the service members face problems during readjustment in the family. Results The literature review presented above proves the assumed hypothesis presented at the start of this paper. Not only military deployments have relations with the stress levels but also it leads to child abuse and maltreatment as well. In addition, some other factors also affect the overall scenario including the time of deployment, background of the parents, working status and others. Recommendations Despite the fact that it is not one of the most highlighted topics regarding the wars but it deserves some serious consideration before “the rubber band breaks.” First, the military institution with the help of government should play a very active role by making that these families are financially sound. There are social and support group responsible for taking care of these families during the difficult times; however, some more work is in need to enhance their role and effectiveness. The military may also try to shorten the deployment periods, if and only if, that would increase the costs of the military by too much. Service and military officials should also try to enhance, increase, and improve the communications between the soldiers and their families so that in some way or the other the families feel that their man is safe (McGrath, 2008). In addition, some “get togethers” for all military families would also play an effective role in removing the fear and pain of families by making them feel proud and good about the deployment of their loved one. Conclusion Conclusively, the paper has discussed some of the significant aspects of stress that cause confrontations for family members of individuals that have to go on different military deployments. These studies helped the experts to conclude there is a significant increase in child abuse by the civilian mothers during the deployment of their spouses. It is obvious that this happens due to much stress related elements. Another interesting find was the correlation of parent education and income with their chances of their families being at psychological risk. Moreover, financial pressures also could be a reason of high levels of stress. Poor eating habits and sleeping problems are also some of the issues faced by the family members. The paper has identified and analyzed different studies related to the topic; however, it is anticipation that future researches in this regard will allow a more comprehensive and updated understanding of the impact. It is an expectation that the paper will be beneficial for students, teachers, and professionals in better understanding of the topic. References Blanchard, Ralph. (1992). Protecting children in military families: a cooperative response. DIANE Publishing. Boss, Pauline, & Mulligan, Carol. (2003). Family stress: classic and contemporary readings. Sage Publications. Britt, Thomas W., Adler, Amy B., & Castro, Carl A. (2006). Military life: the psychology of serving in peace and combat, Volume 3. Greenwood Publishing Group. Buckholtz, Alison. (2009). Standing By: The Making of an American Military Family in a Time of War. Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin. Buddin, Richard J., Gill, Brian P., Zimmer, Ron W., Rand Corporation. (2001). Impact aid and the education of military children. Rand Corporation. Chandra, Anita, Burns, Rachel M., Tanielian, Terri, Jaycox, Lisa h., & Scott, Molly M. (2008). Understanding the impact of deployment on children and families findings from a pilot study of operation purple camp participants. Center for military health policy research. Rand publishers. Hall, Lynn K. (2008). Counseling Military Families: What Mental Health Professionals Need to Know. CRC Press. Hosek, James R., Kavanagh, Jennifer, Miller, Laura, & Miller, Laura L. (2006). How deployments affect service members. Rand Corporation. Karney, Benjamin R., & Crown, John S. (2007). Families under stress: an assessment of data, theory, and research on marriage and divorce in the military. RAND Corp. Levin, Aaron. (2007). Military Deployment Stress Tied to Child-Abuse Increase. American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved January 20, 2009, from http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/42/17/8.1.full Levine, Adam. (2009). 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