Family Communication Across the Military Deployment Experience: Child and Spouse Report of Communication Frequency and Quality and Associated Emotions, Behaviors, and Reactions

Abstract

Frequency and quality of family deployment communication was assessed and examined in conjunction with emotions and behaviors reported by military children and spouses (N = 26) before, during, and after deployment. Child deployment communication with siblings was associated with positive child outcomes. Conversely, before and during deployment child communication with a deployed parent was related to more child emotional reactions and behavioral problems. For spouses, more and better communication with children and the deployed partner was related to the spouse's having less negative temper or stress reactions. Use of newer communication technology during deployment was related to negative child outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• communication
• deployment
• family
• military
• National Guard
• reintegration

Acknowledgments

This project was supported through funding from the South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Terrorism and Disaster Center (TDC) at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, a partner in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). We appreciate the assistance of the Oklahoma National Guard in recruiting the sample and for providing insight regarding the process of deployment.

Notes

Note. Deployment communication quality was assessed by asking children how well they communicated with family members. Child emotion and behavior was measured using BASC-2 scales with parent and child reports. Higher scores indicate better communication quality and more child emotion/behavior.

*p < .05; **p < .01.

Note. Deployment communication quality was assessed by asking spouses how well they communicated with family members. Emotional reactions were measured by asking spouses how often they experienced each emotional reaction. Higher scores indicate better communication quality and greater emotional reactions to deployment.

*p < .05; **p < .01.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J. Brian Houston

J. Brian Houston is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri. His research focuses on disasters, mental health, and communication.

Betty Pfefferbaum

Betty Pfefferbaum is the George Lynn Cross Research Professor, Paul and Ruth Jonas Chair, and a professor and chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Medicine. Her research interests include childhood trauma, disasters, and terrorism.

Michelle D. Sherman

Michelle D. Sherman is the director of the Family Mental Health Program at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center; research affiliate with the South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center; and clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Medicine. She investigates the development and evaluation of family interventions for PTSD/mental illness, stigma surrounding mental illness, and interpresonal violence.

Ashley G. Melson

Ashley G. Melson is a child and family counselor at Family Development & Intervention Services in Oklahoma City. Her research centers on childhood trauma.

Michael W. Brand

Michael W. Brand is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Medicine. His research interests include public health preparedness and mental health, substance abuse, psychological trauma and associated mood disorders.