An evaluation of a military family support program: The case of Operation: Military Kids in Indiana
Abstract
This study utilized a mixed (quantitative and qualitative) methods research paradigm to evaluate the impact of deployment of National Guard and Reserves military personnel on their children and the supportive role of Operation: Military Kids (OMK) program in cushioning the parent-child separation stressors resulting from this deployment. Using a phenomenological approach, data for the qualitative analysis were provided by three children-centered focus group discussions, consisting of 17 children, with an age range of 8 to 18 years, and two adult-centered focus group discussions, consisting of 11 adults. A Zoomerang© web-based survey of 422 children provided data for the quantitative analysis. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the impact of deployment on children of National Guard and Reserves and the mediating role of support systems on the psychosocial adjustment of the children. Support systems were found as strong mediating mechanisms between deployment stressors, child coping and child psychosocial adjustment. The absence of a support system was found to increase child internal and external psychosocial adjustment. Poor coping skills were also found to lead to increased psychosocial adjustment. Results from the qualitative analysis revealed that family members were the most immediate and effective support system available to them. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis revealed that OMK was an important support system in coping and adjusting to deployment stressors. Children qualitatively recognized the role of the OMK Program in helping to alleviate their stress. The study also showed that in addition to social support programs that address children's needs, “suddenly military children” are in need of interventions that specifically address the development of effective coping skills. Their use of books, going to the mall, and listening to music were coping points that children mentioned in the qualitative result for which programs planned to address children's coping skills should incorporate. Results also showed that the OMK Program continued to provide the expected services to “suddenly military children” and the general public in Indiana in the areas that were considered the primary focus of the program. While the Hero Pack and the Speak Out for Military Kids were considered as very useful by the children in creating community awareness of their changed circumstances, the Mobile Technology Lab was singled out as the most successful in connecting the children with their loved ones deployed overseas. The OMK Program in general was found to be meeting its objectives and continued to be accessed by increasing numbers of children and the general public.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Talbert, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Academic guidance counseling|Curricula|Teaching|Armed forces
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