Effect of Deployment on the Occurrence of Child Maltreatment in Military and Nonmilitary Families

Abstract

War has a profound emotional impact on military personnel and their families, but little is known about how deployment-related stress impacts the occurrence of child maltreatment in military families. This time-series analysis of Texas child maltreatment data from 2000 to 2003 examined changes in the occurrence of child maltreatment in military and nonmilitary families over time and the impact of recent deployment increases. The rate of occurrence of substantiated maltreatment in military families was twice as high in the period after October 2002 (the 1-year anniversary of the September 11th attacks) compared with the period prior to that date (rate ratio = 2.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.85, 2.50). Among military personnel with at least one dependent, the rate of child maltreatment in military families increased by approximately 30% for each 1% increase in the percentage of active duty personnel departing to (rate ratio = 1.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.20, 1.37) or returning from (rate ratio = 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.16, 1.48) operation-related deployment. These findings indicate that both departures to and returns from operational deployment impose stresses on military families and likely increase the rate of child maltreatment. Intervention programs should be implemented to mitigate family dysfunction in times of potential stress.

Long-Term Trajectories and Service Needs for Military Families

“…Domestic violence has also generally been shown to be associated with deployment (MacDermid Wadsworth 2010). Rates of substantiated child maltreatment among military families in Texas were higher after October 2002 than they had been prior to this date (Rentz et al 2007); rates increased specifically during periods of deployment and reintegration. Similarly, among families of enlisted soldiers who had one or more substantiated reports of child maltreatment, child maltreatment was higher during periods of deployment ).…”

Protective Factors in Families: Themes From a Socioecological Study of Australian Defence Force Families Experiencing Parental Deployment

“…For nondeployed spouses, Spera (2009) found that military "unit relationship quality, leadership effectiveness, and tangible social support from community members" were the most important protective factors to well-being (p. 286). For returned personnel, Rentz et al (2007) outlined that protective factors such as disciplinary measures particular to the military may help decrease the prevalence of family violence and addictions, but unfortunately these measures may increase the likelihood of nondisclosure due to stigma and fear of curtailed career progression. For children experiencing difficulties during deployment, Saltzman et al (2011) explained that nurturing and adaptive parenting are the most important protective factors.…”

Evaluating the Epidemiology of Inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury in Infants of U.S. Military Families

“…Recent prolonged deployments in support of the global war on terrorism have been associated with increased risk for child maltreatment. 15,16 Additionally, as many as 30%-60% of military service members have histories of being victims of childhood maltreatment, and some studies have associated such victimization with an increased risk for perpetrating abuse in adulthood. [17][18][19][20] Studies comparing child maltreatment between military and civilian families both support and refute the notion that children in military families are at increased risk for abuse, 16,[21][22][23][24][25][26] but all demonstrate that abuse is an important issue in the military.…”