Families transition, too! Military families transition out of service: a scoping review of research from the Five Eyes nations
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Dodge, J., Kale, C., Keeling, M., Gribble, R., Taylor-Beirne, S., Maher, S.,…Sullivan, K. (2022). Families transition, too! Military families transition out of service: A scoping review of research from the Five Eyes nations. Journal of Family Social Work, 25(4-5), 128-152. https://doi.org/10.1080/10522158.2023.2167896
Abstract Created by REACH:
This study examined the current state of the literature on families who have transitioned out of the military into civilian life in one of the Five Eyes nations (i.e., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States). A scoping review method was used to identify the 26 sources included in this study. 4 themes were identified: mental health, barriers to care, financial needs, and targeted transition support. Specific needs and resources apparent within each theme were also noted.
Focus:
Mental health
Programming
Other
Branch of Service:
International Military
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Military families
Active duty service member
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Review of Literature
Authors:
Dodge, Jessica, Kale, Caroline, Keeling, Mary, Gribble, Rachael, Taylor-Beirne, Sean, Maher, Stephen, Castro, Carl, Fear, Nicola T., Sullivan, Kathrine
Abstract:
There is minimal research about the military-to-civilian transition (MCT) from the perspective of the family. The goal of this scoping review was to identify what is known about military families across the Five Eyes Nations (FVEY) (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States) during this phase as well as identify gaps in the evidence base. Scoping review methods were employed with a narrative review process to conceptualize and organize results. The initial search returned 2,219 sources. From these, 27 sources about military family experiences during MCT were identified. Overall, there was limited research on this topic with the majority of sources being from gray literature. A contributing factor to this lack of literature could be the conflation of the MCT with other military transitions (i.e. deployments). Sources highlighted four major themes that influenced identified needs and current services for military families during MCT: (1) mental health; (2) barriers to care; (3) financial needs; and (4) targeted transition support. The limited literature documents promising family skills-based interventions during MCT. However, there is a need for more empirical research on existing family-based interventions and experiences and needs of the family as a unit during MCT.
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
family interventions, five eyes nations, high risk families, military families, military-to civilian transition
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
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