Exploring the Behavioral and Mental Health Needs of Children and Youth in Military Families

Affectionate military reunion between father and daughter

Given the present socio-political climate in the United States – marked by heightened discourse and visibility concerning military service and in observance of Veteran’s Day in November – it is especially pertinent to examine and address the distinct behavioral health and psychosocial needs of children and youth in military families. This period of increased public attention and intensified national tension provides an opportunity for us to convey the challenges faced by children and youth in military families and to advocate for evidence-based supports that foster their well-being and resilience.

Children and youth in military families face unique behavioral and mental health challenges, as well as distinct influences on their general well-being. Numerous studies document an increased risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties compared to their civilian peers, driven largely by the demands of the military lifestyle – frequent relocations, parental deployments, family separations, and the persistent worry and instability these factors introduce into the lives of children and youth in military families.¹

Military families experience cyclical disruptions due to deployments, with phases including pre-deployment, deployment, and reintegration. Each phase can generate different stressors:

Pre-deployment brings anticipatory anxiety and fear of change.
During deployment, children often feel the absence of the deployed parent, leading to behavioral changes and emotional struggles.
Reintegration, while joyous, can also bring renewed stress as families adjust to the return and sometimes the altered state of the parent due to combat-related injuries or mental health issues.²

These cycles increase the risk of behavioral and emotional problems in children and youth, including anxiety, depression, aggression, and adjustment disorders.³

Military children and youth often exhibit higher rates of emotional and behavioral issues than their civilian peers. Younger children may show attachment difficulties, sleep disturbances, nightmares, and excessive clinginess. While middle childhood and adolescence can bring about academic decline, increased anxiety and depression, substance use, and suicidal ideation. Studies show both internalizing symptoms (withdrawal, sadness) and externalizing symptoms (aggression, attention difficulties) are more common in military-connected children and youth regardless of age.⁴

The prevalence of these issues tends to be higher during parental deployment, particularly for children and youth with a less emotionally stable non-deployed caregiver. The mental health of the at-home parent strongly predicts how well children adjust during and after deployment.⁵ Significantly, the emotional health of the remaining caregiver is one of the most important factors in a child’s adjustment. Elevated stress, anxiety, or depression in the non-deployed parent often transfers to the child, magnifying emotional or behavioral symptoms. Strong family cohesion, positive family narratives, and support from the non-deployed parent are protective factors. Adjustment difficulties are generally reduced in families that maintain stable routines and open communication during the deployment cycle.⁶

Child maltreatment rates, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, are higher in military families during times of deployment, especially combat deployments. Stressful transitions – both departures and returns – correspond to increased risk for maltreatment:

The rate of maltreatment in families of enlisted U.S. Army personnel was found to be 42% higher during deployment than non-deployment periods.
For every 1% increase in deployments, maltreatment rates in military families rise by approximately 30%.⁷

Disruptions from deployments and relocations can also interfere with the development of healthy attachment styles in children. Research indicates a higher incidence of anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment in children raised in military families where deployment is frequent or prolonged. Attachment disruptions can have long-reaching consequences, potentially affecting relationship-building and emotional regulation in adulthood. The lack of a consistent parental presence may also require children to assume adult responsibilities sooner, which can be developmentally inappropriate and stressful.⁸

Frequent moves are another hallmark of military life, disrupting the social networks, educational continuity, and sense of stability for children and youth. These relocations can increase feelings of isolation and disrupt friendships that might otherwise serve as support systems, particularly for adolescents. Children and youth may struggle academically and have difficulty accessing consistent behavioral health services due to changes in location and health care coverage. Peer support, when available, serves as an essential protective factor; strong peer relations can help buffer the negative mental health impacts of military stressors.⁹

Military youth are more likely to require and utilize behavioral health services, particularly during and after significant deployments. As noted above, some of the most common reasons children and youth in military families require care include:

Anxiety and mood disorders.
Sleep problems and psychosomatic complaints.
Behavioral or discipline problems (particularly in boys), increased tearfulness and sadness (particularly in girls).¹⁰

Mental health service access can be complicated by relocation and limited continuity of care, making coordinated behavioral health interventions and accessible services especially important for this population.¹¹

Despite the challenges, many military children and youth exhibit strong resilience and adaptability. Factors that foster resilience include:

Strong social support networks (peers, extended family, school counselors).
Access to military and community-based mental health services.
Family routines, rituals, and effective communication during times of change.
Participation in supportive organizations or youth programs designed for military-connected children.
Peer support is particularly powerful; studies show it can help close the mental health gap between military and non-military youth, allowing children to process stress and develop coping strategies.¹²

Recognizing the elevated risk and unique needs of military-connected children and youth, school districts and community partners can work together to:

Ensure that schools are aware when children and youth in military families enroll.
Provide systematic screening for emotional and behavioral issues in children and youth during key phases of the deployment cycle.
Offer school- and community-based interventions that foster peer support and emotional resilience.
Deliver evidence-based prevention and treatment programs tailored for different developmental stages and family circumstances.
Extend enhanced support for caregivers, particularly those struggling with their own mental health during deployments.
Help ease transitions between schools, ensure continuity of mental health care, and support stable family routines.¹³

Children and youth in military families carry a heightened risk for emotional and behavioral health issues due to the chronic stressors of deployment and relocation, the psychological impact of parental absence, and the flow of trauma and resilience through the family system. However, with robust support networks, stable family environments, and accessible behavioral health services, many can adapt and thrive. Continued advocacy for culturally informed interventions remains crucial to supporting this uniquely vulnerable yet resilient population.

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Exploring the Behavioral and Mental Health Needs of Children and Youth in Military Families

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