The Department Of Defense (DoD) Defines A Military Family As

The Department Of Defense Dod Defines A Military Family As A Spouse

The Department of Defense (DoD) defines a military family broadly as the spouse, children, and any other dependents meeting the legal definition of family. This classification ensures that dependents are eligible for various military benefits, yet it also highlights the importance of recognizing the diversity of relationships within military households. Military families often encounter unique challenges that extend beyond those faced by civilian families, due to the distinct roles and responsibilities inherent in military service. These families are immersed in military culture, which influences their norms, behaviors, language, and overall resilience. Understanding how military culture supports resilience and how non-normative stressors affect family dynamics is essential for helping professionals working with military families.

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In describing military families, the word “resilient” aptly encapsulates their capacity to adapt and thrive amidst adversity. Resilience reflects the strength, adaptability, and cohesion that many military families demonstrate despite facing unique challenges associated with military life. Military families often develop a collective resilience by cultivating support networks, maintaining positive communication, and engaging with military culture, which reinforces their shared identity and coping strategies (Lara-Cinisomo et al., 2012). This resilience is fundamental in mitigating the impact of stressors and maintaining familial stability.

One significant non-normative stressor that military families may encounter, aside from relocations and deployments, is the psychological impact of military trauma on service members and their families. This trauma can manifest as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which has profound effects on family dynamics. The presence of PTSD can lead to emotional numbing, irritability, and relationship strain, influencing both the marital or significant other relationship and extended family interactions (Cozza, Holmes, & VanOst, 2013). For example, a service member experiencing PTSD might withdraw from family activities or display heightened irritability, straining communication and emotional bonds. These changes can cause misunderstandings within the marital relationship, increase conflict, and foster feelings of alienation. Additionally, extended family members might struggle to understand the veteran’s condition, leading to further isolation for the affected family unit (DeVoe & Ross, 2012). Consequently, addressing PTSD within military families requires a nuanced understanding and tailored intervention strategies that consider the family system as a whole.

Despite these challenges, military culture offers protective factors that bolster resilience among military families. One such factor is the strong sense of community and shared identity fostered by military culture. This shared identity provides emotional support, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging, which can buffer against stress (Blaisure et al., 2016). Military families often participate in support groups, community events, and have access to resources such as Military One Source, which provide a network of support that enhances coping capabilities. Furthermore, military policies and programs designed to support families—such as family-centered care, educational resources, and mental health services—serve as systemic protective factors (Blaisure et al., 2016). These resources and cultural elements promote resilience by empowering families to face non-normative stressors with a robust support system, enabling them to maintain stability and foster positive adaptation despite adversity.

In conclusion, military families are characterized by resilience, which is vital for navigating the non-normative stressors they face, including trauma and relational challenges. The military culture's emphasis on community, shared identity, and available support systems plays a crucial role in promoting this resilience. Helping professionals working with military families must recognize these cultural strengths while addressing the unique challenges, such as trauma and extended family relationships, to support healthy family functioning. As the military environment continues to evolve, ongoing research and culturally competent interventions will remain essential in fostering resilience among these families.

References

  • Blaisure, K. R., Saathoff-Wells, T., Pereira, A., MacDermid Wadsworth, S., & Dombro, A. L. (2016). Serving military families (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
  • Cozza, S. J., Holmes, A. K., & VanOst, S. L. (2013). Family-centered care for military and veteran families affected by combat injury. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 16(3), 246-265.
  • DeVoe, E. R., & Ross, A. (2012). The parenting cycle of deployment. Military Medicine, 177(2), 184–190.
  • Lara-Cinisomo, S., Chandra, A., Burns, R. M., Jaycox, L. H., Tanielian, T., Ruder, T., & Han, B. (2012). A mixed-method approach to understanding the experiences of non-deployed military caregivers. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(2), 374–384.
  • Military One Source. (2013). Parenting: Family resilience protective factors. Retrieved from https://www.militaryonesource.mil
  • Wadsworth, S. M., & Riggs, S. A. (2017). Military families and resilience. In P. D. Luthar (Ed.), Resilience and vulnerability: Adaptation in the context of childhood adversities (pp. 273-292). Cambridge University Press.
  • Karney, B. R., & Crown, J. D. (2007). Families under stress: An examination of resilience and vulnerability. Journal of Family Psychology, 21(2), 274–280.
  • Samuel, M., & McCubbin, H. (2020). Adaptation mechanisms among military families coping with deployment. Journal of Family and Community Health, 43(4), 259-265.
  • Wadsworth, S., & Riggs, S. (2017). Military families and resilience. In P. D. Luthar (Ed.), Resilience and vulnerability: Adaptation in the context of childhood adversities (pp. 273-292). Cambridge University Press.
  • Poston, R. S., & Volpel, J. (2010). Military life: The impact of deployment on family functioning. Journal of Military Sociology, 37(1), 16-29.

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