Written by: Hannah Bradford, M.A.Ed
Military youth face many stressors related to their military family status, as well as facing normative stressors that non-military youth also experience. Some common stressors that military-connected youth face can include relocations, parental/caregiver separation, and worry for parent/caregiver safety due to the nature of their job (Kaeppler & Lucier-Greer, 2020). When combined with the normal stressors associated with growing up, youth can get overwhelmed easily.
When youth experience overwhelm from an accumulation of stressors, it can negatively affect development, including increased risk for experiencing negative mental health symptoms like depression (Kaeppler & Lucier-Greer, 2020). As stressors continue to build, young people need support and strategies to cope with those stressors (Kaeppler & Lucier-Greer, 2020).
Understanding the Importance of Social Support for Military Teens
The increased risk for mental health effects associated with increased stressors often cannot be avoided due to the inevitable nature of the military-related stressors (deployments, PCS, etc.), compounded with general stressors. However, protective factors can help youth offset the risk of developing mental health concerns (Kaeppler & Lucier-Greer, 2020). Social connectedness and support are significant protective factors for youth. Particularly for military youth, connections with other military youth and families within the school environment can serve as a buffer for military-related stressors (D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, 2016). Military youth and parents who exhibit better social relationships within the family, community, and among peers, appear to be more likely to make healthy adjustments during challenging times (D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, 2016).
Unlike most civilian families, military families usually relocate every few years due to permanent change of station (PCS) orders. Because of this frequent moving, it can become very difficult for military youth to form consistent, supportive peer groups as they often change schools, move states, and sometimes even relocate outside of the country (Kaeppler & Lucier-Greer, 2020). Families who move outside of the continental United States (OCONUS) are usually far from many supportive resources, can experience language barriers, and must navigate cultural differences within the community (Kaeppler & Lucier-Greer, 2020).
For military youth who experience frequent relocations, it is important that they are able to lean on trusted loved ones for support. Research demonstrates that during times of transition and change, a consistent social support system can be the family unit itself (Kaeppler & Lucier-Greer, 2020). Having stable, healthy social networks within the family can foster smoother transitions, allowing military youth to feel supported and form peer connections outside of the family more easily (Kaeppler & Lucier-Greer, 2020). Military youth who feel comfortable turning to their family members for support are less likely to experience adverse outcomes such as depressive symptoms and overall feel more capable of handling the stressors (Kaeppler & Lucier-Greer, 2020). The social connectedness of the family unit therefore, impacts the social well-being of military teens.
So what can we do as providers to help foster social connectedness in military youth, inside and outside of the family unit? Learn more in our upcoming part 2 blog post.
Dr. Mallory Lucier-Greer joined us to moderate this year’s Military Family Readiness Academy panel event, Unified Support for Military-Connected Teens’ Well-Being. This kick-off to the 2025 Academy brings together experts to discuss positive youth development and the importance of social connection in supporting youth well-being. Registration is open at https://oneop.org/series/2025academy/.
References:
- D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. (2016, June 2). Exploring the role of social connectedness among military youth: Perceptions from youth, parents, and school personnel – D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/article/exploring-the-role-of-social-connectedness-among-military-youth-perceptions-from-youth-parents-and-school-personnel/
- Kaeppler, C., & Lucier-Greer, M. (2020). Examining impacts of cumulative risk on Military-Connected youth and the role of family in coping. Child & Youth Care Forum, 49(4), 581–602. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-020-09544-7
Blog Image: Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels
