“Out of Sight” But Not “Out of Mind”: Parent Contact and Worry Among Senior Ranking Male Officers in the Military Who Live Long Distances From Parents

Abstract

This study explores variables that influence worry and parent contact among senior military officers who face frequent moves, restricted housing, and overseas assignments, and who have been geographically separated from their parents most of their adult lives. Data on predictors of officer worry and parent contacts were collected from 277 senior ranking male officers (40 to 49 years old). A structural equation model of worry and parent contact among male officers showed that previous parental illness, parent’s age, and the tendency among officers to have an angry temperament increased their worry. Conversely, number of siblings and satisfaction with a “parent care plan” decreased worry about parents. Number of siblings also decreased contact with parents. Quality of interpersonal relationships and branch of service (Army and Marine Corps) increased contacts with parents. This research underscores the importance of examining the invisible “anguish” of adult sons who are precluded from visiting their parents by distance or employment situations, lends quantitative support to previous qualitative findings, and indicates that satisfaction with a realistic parent care plan reduces worries about elderly parents.