A qualitative examination of the reintegration experiences of Australian Defense Force families
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Risi, A., Bird, A. L., Jackson, J., & Pickard, J. A. (2023). A qualitative examination of the reintegration experiences of Australian Defense Force families. Military Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2023.2192637
Abstract Created by REACH:
This qualitative study examined the reintegration experiences of Australian Defense Force (ADF) families with young children. Current ADF members (n = 9) and ADF spouses (n = 38) were asked to reflect on their reintegration experiences, specifically their own and their child’s adaptation. 6 themes emerged; 4 reflected the experiences of ADF members and spouses, while 2 reflected spouses’ experiences only. Relationship and parenting challenges were apparent across all themes.
Focus:
Children
Parents
Deployment
Branch of Service:
Army
Air Force
Multiple branches
International Military
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Active duty service member
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Qualitative Study
Authors:
Risi, Alixandra, Bird, Amy L., Jackson, Jocelyn, Pickard, Judy A.
Abstract:
The profound development that occurs during the first five years of a child’s life may contribute to military families with young children facing unique challenges during reintegration. Yet, little is known about the reintegration experiences of military families with young children, and less so from the perspectives of non-deployed parents and families outside of the US. In this qualitative study, we explored the reintegration experiences of Australian Defense Force (ADF) families with young children (five years and younger). Through written responses to open-ended prompts, ADF service members (n = 9) and their non-deployed spouses (n = 38) reflected on periods of reintegration and discussed their family’s adaption during this time. Using thematic analysis, six themes representing the reintegration experiences of these families were generated from the data. Four themes were generated from the combined experiences of service members and non-deployed parents, while a further two themes were generated from the experiences of non-deployed parents only. Relational and parenting challenges were at the forefront of reintegration experiences. These findings offer meaningful implications for practice and research to improve the quality of parent-child relationships and enhance outcomes for military families with young children during reintegration.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Taylor & Francis
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Early Start, University of Wollongong, AR
School of Psychology and Early Start, University of Wollongong, ALB
School of Psychology, University of Auckland, ALB
School of Psychology and Early Start, University of Wollongong, JJ
School of Psychology and Early Start, University of Wollongong, JAP
Keywords:
reintegration, military families
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
Sponsors:
This project was conducted as part of a PhD at the University of Wollongong (New South Wales, Australia) that was funded through an Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) Scholarship.
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