Brenda Everett

2 Million children in the US live in Military Families Since 9/11 700,000 children have had or have a parent in combat zones in Iraq or Afghanistan

19,000 of those children have had a parent WIA

2,200 children have had a parent KIA 22 Veterans commit suicide a day. Growing number of suicides impact children of these veterans.

INFANT AND YOUNG CHILDREN

Prolonged separations can cause difficulty in secure attachments which lead to maladaptions in social relations and emotion regulation Increase of maltreatment in young children

School- Age Express anger, anxiety, and externalize symptoms that may display as conduct problems. Affects ability to form positive relationships with peers, teachers, and adults Standardized scores are lower, and poorer academic outcomes Issues may occur for

Adolescents More likely to engage in binge drinking than youth with civilian parents. Exposed to media which parents may not control leading to significant stress. May have a role reversal, taking on adult responsibilities

Babies less than 1 yr.: may not know parent and cry Trust vs. Mistrust Toddlers (1-3): Hide and slow to come to parent Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Preschoolers (3-5): Guilty over separation and scared Initiative vs. Guilt School Age (6-12): May want extra attention and time Industry vs. Inferiority Teenagers (13-18): May be Moody and appear not to care Identity vs. Role Confusion

Unique Aspects of military deaths: military rituals, death notifications, return of remains, political protests, and changes in the military status.

Deaths may become complicated after a long separation leading to a childs maladaptive cognitions Suicides cause children to experience guilt, inadequacy, shame, and anger

TALK, LISTEN, CONNECT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI1AMomhO6A

Maholmes, V. (2012). Adjustment of Children and Youth in Military Families: Toward Developmental Understandings. Child Development Perspectives, 430435. Mannarino, J. A. (2011). Trauma-Focused CBT for Traumatic Grief in Military Children. J. Contemporary Psychotherapy, 219-227. Pivar, I. (2012). Homecoming After Deployment: Dealing with Changes and Expectations . National Center for PTSD. Sesame Workshop. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2013, from http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/t