Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Parenting and Children's Resilience in Military Families pp 195–212Cite as

Interventions to Support and Strengthen Parenting in Military Families: State of the Evidence

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 703 Accesses

Part of the book series: Risk and Resilience in Military and Veteran Families ((RRMV))

Abstract

Parenting can be challenging in today’s society; however, parenting while one or both caregivers are actively involved in U.S. military service can be especially demanding. Since September 11, 2001, the country’s reliance on the U.S. military has reached an all time high, and this increase reflects the need to understand and meet the demands of military families, such as the need for parenting support. Military family readiness is a term that has become more prominent over the past couple of decades. This chapter provides an overview of parenting interventions that have been developed for and are currently working to strengthen and support military families. To better understand how parenting interventions are utilized among military families, this chapter will review the history of parenting education, acknowledge changes and trends in the field, and explore popular theoretical frameworks. In addition, this chapter will review selected parenting programs developed for military families. Finally, this chapter summarizes the essential next steps in parenting programs, including an evaluation component in order to better understand what works and where resources should be invested.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aarons, G. A., & Sawitzky, A. C. (2006). Organizational culture and climate and mental health provider attitudes toward evidence-based practice. Psychological Services, 3, 61–72. doi:10.1037/1541-1559.3.1.61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ailincai, R., & Weil-Barais, A. (2013). Parenting education: Which intervention model to use? Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 106, 2008–2021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • August, G. J., Piehler, T. F., & Bloomquist, M. L. (2014). Being “SMART” about adolescent conduct problems prevention: Executing a SMART pilot study in a juvenile diversion agency. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 53, 1–15. doi:10.1080/15374416.2014.945212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barker, L. H., & Berry, K. D. (2009). Developmental issues impacting military families with young children during single and multiple deployments. Military Medicine, 174(10), 1033–1040.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barth, R. P., Lee, B. R., Lindsey, M. A., Collins, K. S., Strieder, F., Chorpita, B. F., & Sparks, J. A. (2012). Evidence-based practice at a crossroads: The timely emergence of common elements and common factors. Research on Social Work Practice, 22, 108–119. doi:10.1177/1049731511408440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beardslee, W. R., Gladstone, T. R. G., Wright, E. J., & Cooper, A. B. (2003). A family-based approach to the prevention of depressive symptoms in children at risk: Evidence of parental and child change. Pediatrics, 112(2), 119–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beardslee, W., Lester, P., Klosinski, L., Saltzman, W., Woodward, K., Nash, W., … Leskin, G. (2011). Family-centered preventive intervention for military families: Implications for implementation science. Prevention Science, 12, 339–348.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beardslee, W. R., Wright, E. J., Salt, P., Drezner, K., Gladstone, T. R. G., Versage, E. M., & Rothberg, P. C. (1997). Examination of children’s responses to two preventive intervention strategies over time. Journal of American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, 36(2), 196–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, R. H., & Corwyn, R. F. (2007). Externalizing problems in fifth grade: Relations with productive activity, maternal sensitivity, and harsh parenting from infancy through middle childhood. Developmental Psychology, 43, 1390–1401. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.43.6.1390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1994). Ecological models of human development. In T. Husen & T. N. Postlewaite (Eds.), International encyclopedia of education (2nd ed., Vol. 3). Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brownson, R. C., Baker, E. A., Leet, T. L., Gillespie, K. N., & True, W. R. (2010). Evidence-based public health (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Bumbarger, B., & Perkins, D. F. (2008). After randomized trials: Issues related to dissemination of evidence-based interventions. Journal of Children’s Services, 3, 53–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Callahan, C. W., & Zimring, C. (2011). Finally “deliberate by design”: Milestones in the delivery of health care for U.S. military family members. Military Medicine, 176(8), 858–864.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, N., & Kahn, L. (1996). See how we grow: A report on the status of parenting education in the U.S. Retrieved from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/parenting.html.

  • Castro, F. G., Barerra, M., & Martinez, C. R. (2004). The cultural adaptation of preventive interventions: Resolving tensions between fidelity and fit. Prevention Science, 5, 41–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chandra, A., Lara-Cinisomo, S., Jaycox, L. H., Tanielian, T., Burns, R. M., Ruder, T., & Han, B. (2010). Children on the homefront: The experience of children from military families. Pediatrics, 125(1), 16–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chartrand, M. M., Frank, D. A., White, L. F., & Shope, T. R. (2008). Effect of parents’ wartime deployment on the behavior of young children in military families. Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, 162(11), 1009–1014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chorpita, B. F., & Starace, N. K. (2010). Evidence-based practice in the broader context: How can we really use evidence to inform decisions? Journal of Evidence-Based Practices for Schools, 11(1), 47–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clever, M., & Segal, D. R. (2013). The demographics of military families and children. Future of Children, 23(2), 13–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coie, J. D., Watt, N. F., West, S. G., Hawkins, J. D., Asarnow, J. R., Howard, J. M., … Long, B. (1993). The science of prevention: A conceptual framework and some directions for a national research program. American Psychologist, 48(10), 1013–1022.

    Google Scholar 

  • Correa, N., Quintal, L., Sanborn, R., Begley, C., Franzini, L., Giardino, A., & Tortolero, S. (2012). The state of parent education in Houston, Texas: An opportunity to strengthen family well being, prevent child maltreatment, and prepare children for a brighter future. Retrieved from http://childrenatrisk.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/The-State-of-Parent-Education-in-Houston-Report.pdf.

  • Cozza, S. J., Chun, R. S., & Polo, J. A. (2005). Military families and children during operation Iraqi Freedom. Psychiatric Quarterly, 76, 371–378. doi:10.1007/s11126-005-4973-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crews, S. D., Bender, H., Cook, C. R., Gersham, F. M., Kern, L., & Vanderwood, M. (2007). Risk and protective factors of emotional and/or behavioral disorders in children and adolescents: A mega-analytic synthesis. Behavioral Disorders, 32(2), 64–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davison, K. K., & Birch, L. L. (2001). Childhood overweight: A contextual model and recommendations for future research. Obesity Reviews, 2(3), 159–171. doi:10.1046/j.1467-789x.2001.00036.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dishion, T. J., Kavanagh, K., Schneiger, A., Nelson, S., Kaufman, N., & Spoth, R. L. (2002). Preventing early adolescent substance use: A family-centered strategy for public middle school. Universal family-centered prevention strategies: Current findings and critical issues for public health impact [Special Issue]. Prevention Science, 3(3), 191–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DMDC Active Duty Military Family File. (2012, September). http://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Reports/2012-Demographics-Report.pdf.

  • DMDC Active Duty Military Personnel Master File. (2013). http://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Reports/2013-Demographics-Report.pdf.

  • DoD Instruction 1342.22. (2012). “Military Family Readiness”. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134222p.pdf.

  • Domitrovich, C. E., & Greenberg, M. T. (2000). The study of implementation: Current findings from effective programs that prevent mental disorders in school-aged children. Journal of Educational & Psychological Consultation, 11(2), 193–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durlak, J. A., & Dupre, E. P. (2008). Implementation matters: A review of research on the influence of implementation on program outcomes affecting implementation. American Journal of Community Psychology, 41(3–4), 327–350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enebrink, P., Högström, J., Forster, M., & Ghaderi, A. (2012). Internet-based parent management training: A randomized controlled study. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50, 240–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • File, T. (2013). Computer and Internet use in the United States. Current Population Survey Reports (P20-568). Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p20-569.pdf.

  • Forgatch, M. S., Patterson, G. R., DeGarmo, D. S., & Beldavs, Z. (2009). Testing the Oregon delinquency model with 9-year follow-up of the Oregon Divorce Study. Development and Psychopathology, 21(5), 637–660.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forgatch, M. S., Patterson, G. R., & Gewirtz, A. H. (2013). Looking forward: The promise of widespread implementation of parent training programs. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8(6), 682–694.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gewirtz, A. H. (2014–2019). Comparing web, group, and telehealth formats of a military parenting program. (W81XWH-14-1-0143). Washington, DC: Department of Defense.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gewirtz, A. H., DeGarmo, D. S., Zamir, O., & Forgatch, M. S. (2014, May). Preliminary evaluation of after deployment, adaptive parenting tools: A web-enhanced parenting program for military families. Symposium presentation, Annual Meeting of the Society for Prevention Research, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gewirtz, A. H., Erbes, C. R., Polusny, M. A., Forgatch, M. S., & DeGarmo, D. S. (2011). Helping military families through the deployment process: Strategies to support parenting. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42(1), 56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gewirtz, A. H., Forgatch, M. S., & Wieling, E. (2008). Parenting practices as potential mechanisms for child adjustment following mass trauma. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 34(2), 177–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gewirtz, A. H., Pinna, K., Hanson, S. K., & Brockberg, D. (2014b). Promoting parenting to support reintegrating military families: After deployment, adaptive parenting tools. Psychological Services, 11, 31–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs, D. A., Martin, S. L., Clinton-Sherrod, M., Walters, J. L., & Johnson, R. E. (2011). Child maltreatment within military families. In S. M. Wadsworth & D. Riggs (Eds.), Risk and resilience in US military families. New York, NY: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser, E. M., & Backer, T. E. (1977). Innovation redefined: Durability and local adaptation. Evaluation, 4, 131–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, K. E., Compas, B. E., Thurm, A. E., McMahon, S. D., Gipson, P. Y., & Campbell, A. J. (2006). Stressors and child and adolescent psychopathology: Evidence of moderating and mediating effects. Clinical Psychology Reviews, 26, 257–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hannes, K., Pieters, G., Goedhuys, J., & Aertgeerts, B. (2010). Exploring barriers to the implementation of evidence-based practice in psychiatry to inform health policy: A focus group based study. Community Mental Health Journal, 46(5), 423–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He, Y., Gewirtz, A., Lee, S., Morrell, N., & August, G. (2016). A randomized preference trial to inform personalization of a parent training program implemented in community mental health clinics. Translational Behavioral Medicine, pp. 1–8. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13142-015-0366-4/fulltext.html

    Google Scholar 

  • Heath, H. (2004). Assessing and delivering parent support. In M. Hoghughi & N. Long (Eds.), Handbook of parenting: Theory and research for practice (pp. 312–334). London, United Kingdom: Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hogue, A., Johnson-Leckrone, J., & Liddle, H. A. (1999). Recruiting high-risk families into family-based prevention and prevention research. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 4, 337–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kratochwill, T. R., & Shernoff, E. S. (2003). Evidence-based practice: Promoting evidence-based interventions in school psychology. School Psychology Quarterly, 18(4), 389–408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krolokke, C., & Sorensen, A. S. (2005). Three waves of feminism: From suffragettes to grrls. In C. Krolokke & A. S. Sorensen (Eds.), Gender communication theories and analyses: From silence to performance (pp. 1–24). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumpfer, K. L., Alvarado, R., Smith, P., & Bellamy, N. (2002). Cultural sensitivity and adaptation in family-based prevention interventions. Prevention Science, 3, 241–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Long, N. (1997). Parent education/training in the USA: Current status and future trends. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2(4), 501–515.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Love, S. M., Sanders, M. R., Metzler, C., Prinz, R. J., & Kast, E. Z. (2013). Enhancing accessibility and engagement in evidence-based parenting programs to reduce maltreatment: Conversations with vulnerable parents. Journal of Child Public Welfare, 7, 20–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundahl, B., Risser, H. J., & Lovejoy, M. C. (2006). A meta-analysis of parent training: Moderators and follow-up effects. Clinical Psychology Review, 26(1), 86–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McHugh, R. K., Murray, H. W., & Barlow, D. H. (2009). Balancing fidelity and adaptation in the dissemination of empirically-supported treatments: The promise of transdiagnostic interventions. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47, 946–953.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meline, T., & Paradiso, T. (2003). Evidence-based practice in schools: Evaluating research and reducing barriers. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 34(4), 273–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metzler, C. W., Sanders, M. R., Rusby, J. C., & Crowley, R. (2012). Using consumer preference information to increase the reach and impact of media-based parenting interventions in a public health approach to parenting support. Behavior Therapy, 43(2), 257–270. doi:10.106/j.beth.2011.05.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, A. L., Krusky, A. M., Franzen, S., Cochran, S., & Zimmerman, M. A. (2012). Partnering to translate evidence-based programs to community settings: Bridging the gap between research and practice. Health Promotion Practice, 13(4), 559–566. doi:10.1177/1524839912438749.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morawska, A., & Sanders, M. R. (2006). Self-administered behavioral family intervention for parents of toddlers: Part I. Efficacy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(1), 10–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. (2009). Preventing mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders among young people: Progress and possibilities. Committee on the prevention of mental disorders and substance abuse among children, youth, and young adults: Research advances and promising interventions. In M. E. O’Connell, T. Boat, & K. E. Warner (Eds.), Board on children, youth, and families, division of behavioral and social sciences and education. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Office of Deputy under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy. (2010). The demographics 2009: Profile of the military community. Washington, DC: Washington Headquarters Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, C. (2008). A theory of risk and resilience factors in military families. Military Psychology, 20(3), 205–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Papp, L. M., Cummings, E. M., & Goeke-Morey, M. C. (2005). Parental psychological distress, parent-child relationship qualities, and child adjustment: direct, mediating, and reciprocal pathways. Parenting: Science and Practice, 5, 259–283. doi:10.1207/s15327922par0503.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, N. (2011). Military children and families: Strengths and challenges during peace and war. American Psychologist, 66(1), 65–72. doi:10.1037/a0021249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2008). Positive psychology and character strengths: Application to strengths-based school counseling. Professional School Counseling, 12(2), 85–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perkins, D. F., Feinberg, M. E., Greenberg, M. T., Johnson, L. E., Chilenski, S. M., Mincemoyer, C. C., & Spoth, R. L. (2011). Team factors that predict to sustainability indicators for community-based prevention teams. Evaluation and Program Planning, 34(3), 283–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prinz, R. T., & Sanders, M. R. (2007). Adopting a population-level approach to parenting and family support interventions. Clinical Psychology Review, 27, 739–749.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radey, M., & Randolph, K. A. (2009). Parenting sources: How do parents differ in their efforts to learn about parenting? Family Relations, 58, 536–538.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Resnikow, K., Soler, R., Braithwait, R. L., Ahluwalia, J. S., & Butler, J. (2000). Cultural sensitivity in substance abuse prevention. Journal of Community Psychology, 28, 271–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rose, E. (2009). Poverty and parenting: Transforming early education’s legacy in the 1960s. History of Education Quarterly, 49(2), 222–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salem, P., Sandler, I., & Wolchik, S. (2013). Taking stock of parent education in the family courts: Envisioning a public health approach. Family Court Review, 51(1), 131–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Baker, S., & Turner, K. M. T. (2012). A randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of Triple P Online with parents of children with early-onset conduct problems. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50(11), 675–684. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2012.07.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, M. R., Dittman, C. K., Farruggia, S. P., & Keown, L. J. (2014). A comparison of online versus workbook delivery of a self-help positive parenting program. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 35(3), 125–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandler, I. N., Ma, Y., Tein, J. Y., Ayers, T. S., Wolchik, S., Kennedy, C., & Millsap, R. (2010). Long-term effects of the family bereavement program on multiple indicators of grief in parentally bereaved children and adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(2), 131–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sayer, N. A., Noorbaloochi, S., Frazier, P., Carlson, K., Gravely, A., & Murdoch, M. (2010). Reintegration problems and treatment interests among Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans receiving VA medical care. Psychiatric Services, 61(6), 589–597.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlossman, S. L. (1976). Before home start: Notes towards a history of parent education in America, 1897–1929. Harvard Educational Review, 46(3), 436–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schumm, W. R., Bell, D. B., & Resnick, G. (2001). Recent research on family factors and readiness: Implications for military leaders. Psychological Reports, 89, 153–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selective service system: History & records. (2005). Retrieved August 1, 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spoth, R. L., & Redmond, C. (2002). Project family prevention trials based in community-university partnerships: Toward scaled-up preventive interventions. Prevention Science, 3, 301–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spoth, R., Redmond, C., Hockaday, C., & Shin, C. Y. (1996). Barriers to participation in family skills preventive interventions and their evaluations: A replication and extension. Family Relations, 45(3), 247–254. doi:10.2307/585496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, T. K., Webster‐Stratton, C., Feil, E. G., Broadbent, B., Widdop, C. S., & Severson, H. H. (2008). Computer‐based intervention with coaching: An example using the incredible years program. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 37(4), 233–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2012). Statistical abstract of the United States. Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson-Thompson, J., Woods, N. K., Schober, D. J., & Schultz, J. A. (2013). Enhancing the capacity of substance abuse prevention coalitions through training and technical assistance. Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 41(3), 176–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, L., & Gerras, S. (2010). The effects of multiple deployments on army adolescents. Carlisle, PA: The Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Zigler, E., & Black, K. B. (1989). America’s family support movement: Strengths and limitations. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 59(1), 6–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, The Pennsylvania State University, 402 Marion Place, State College, PA, 16801, USA

    Jennifer DiNallo Ph.D.

  2. University of Minnesota, 104 Burton Hall, 178 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Michelle Kuhl Ph.D.

  3. University of Minnesota, Room 290D McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    Lynne M. Borden Ph.D. & Daniel Perkins Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Jennifer DiNallo Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michelle Kuhl Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lynne M. Borden Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Daniel Perkins Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer DiNallo Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Minnesota, Dept of Fam. Soc.Sci. Ins. of Child Dev, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    Abigail H. Gewirtz

  2. University of Minnesota, Inst.Transl.Res. in Child. Ment. Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    Adriana M. Youssef

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

DiNallo, J., Kuhl, M., Borden, L.M., Perkins, D. (2016). Interventions to Support and Strengthen Parenting in Military Families: State of the Evidence. In: Gewirtz, A., Youssef, A. (eds) Parenting and Children's Resilience in Military Families. Risk and Resilience in Military and Veteran Families. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12556-5_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12556-5_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-12555-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-12556-5

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation