Accession Number:

ADA516563

Title:

Deployment Effects on Children and Adolescents: Designing and Deploying a Developmentally Appropriate Education and Screening Video Program for Military Families

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Jul 2008-Jul 2009

Corporate Author:

ARMY MEDICAL DEPT CENTER AND SCHOOL FORT SAM HOUSTON TX

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

2009-03-22

Pagination or Media Count:

150.0

Abstract:

Age-appropriate video intervention toolkits VIT were designed and piloted with military children ages 3 to 5, 6 to 11, and 12 to 19 dealing with military deployment separation to assess for resiliency, develop coping skills, and monitor for mental health risk. Adults were educated about available resources to address stress and dysfunctional reactions to separation as well. Questionnaires revealed that 63 of children N 86 were unaware of materials available to them. Short-term video efficacy was demonstrated by a 15 increase in knowledge of community resources after viewing the videos. 24 of children felt they could talk more easily about issues after seeing the program. Facilitators guides were provided to stimulate discussion afterwards. 18.2 N 14 of children screened positive for pre-deployment stress with the Pediatric Symptom Checklist PSC, comparable to national norms. An additional 9.1 N 7 asked for assistance, suggesting that potentially 24.1 of todays deploying families may require assistance, education, or counseling. The VIT encouraged parents and children to ask questions and seek out appropriate intervention before, during, andor after deployment leading to appropriate interventions that decrease adverse effects of deployment separation.

Subject Categories:

  • Personnel Management and Labor Relations
  • Medicine and Medical Research
  • Stress Physiology
  • Psychology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE