This document summarizes a study on the impacts of military deployment on Australian military families. The study aims to determine any physical, mental, or social health impacts on families when a service member deploys, as well as identify risk and protective factors for family coping. The methodology includes focus groups with military spouses and a quantitative survey. Preliminary focus group findings revealed common experiences at different stages of the deployment cycle like anticipation pre-deployment, establishing new routines during sustainment, and mixed emotions at redeployment. The study aims to help support programs for military families.

1. Advancing knowledge about the health issues of Australia’s defence personnel and veterans
Dr Annabel McGuire, Elliroma Gardiner and
Catherine Runge
The University of Queensland
Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health (CMVH)
Understanding the impact ofUnderstanding the impact of
military deployment on families:military deployment on families:
An Australian studyAn Australian study
Tuesday 10th August 2010 – Presentation to the 13th Annual Force Health Protection Conference

2. Advancing knowledge about the health issues of Australia’s defence personnel and veterans
Background of
Family Studies
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Family Study
Program (launched 2007)
Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study
• To identify any intergenerational effects of Vietnam
service
Timor-Leste Family Study 2009-11
• To understand the effects of deployment on Australian
Defence Force (ADF) families from a recent
deployment
The Timor-Leste Family Study is part of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Family Study Program

3. Advancing knowledge about the health issues of Australia’s defence personnel and veterans
Current literature on
families & deployment
The Timor-Leste Family Study is part of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Family Study Program
• Studies in the current international literature
indicate that deployment has adverse effects
on families
• However, individual and social resources are
shown to intensify or ameliorate these effects
• Not a comprehensive literature
• Few Australian studies

4. Advancing knowledge about the health issues of Australia’s defence personnel and veterans
• To determine what, if any physical, mental
or social health impacts there are on a
service member’s family from the
member’s deployment to Timor-Leste
• To identify any risk and protective factors
that influence the ability of military families
to cope with deployments
The Timor-Leste Family Study is part of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Family Study
The Timor-Leste Family Study is part of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Family Study Program
Research Aims

5. Advancing knowledge about the health issues of Australia’s defence personnel and veterans
1. Timor-Leste Deployment
2. Physical Health
3. Mental Health
4. Family Health
5. Child Health
6. Social Health
7. Risk and Protective factors
The Timor-Leste Family Study is part of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Family Study Program
Measures of interest

6. Advancing knowledge about the health issues of Australia’s defence personnel and veterans
Methodology
The Timor-Leste Family Study is part of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Family Study Program

7. Advancing knowledge about the health issues of Australia’s defence personnel and veterans
Focus Group
participants
• 17 participants, female, aged 20-52 years
• 82% married to the ADF member
• 47% with children under 18 years of age
• 13 of 17 were partners of Army personnel
• Partner deployments to Timor-Leste,
Middle East, South Pacific & Africa
The Timor-Leste Family Study is part of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Family Study Program

8. Advancing knowledge about the health issues of Australia’s defence personnel and veterans
The Deployment
Cycle
The Timor-Leste Family Study is part of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Family Study Program
Pincus, SH, House, R,
Christenson, J & Adler, LE

9. cumplex Family
ystems Model

10. Pre-Deployment (several weeks to a year)
Characterised by denial and anticipation of loss
mmon experiences included: long training hours for
tary member, getting affairs in order, mental and
physical distance and arguments

11. eployment (1st month)
haracterised by a roller
er of emotions and may be
easant and disorganised.
mon experiences included:
mixed emotions/relief,
soriented/overwhelmed,

12. Sustainment (from 2nd month)
racterised by establishing new sources of support
and new routines.
Common experiences included: relying on new
urces of support, establishing new routines and
eling more in control, independent and confident.

13. Redeployment (Last month)
is the last month before return – characterised by
ntense anticipation, often with mixed emotions.
Common experiences included: anticipation of
ecoming, excitement, apprehension, energy bursts
and difficulty making decisions.

14. Post-Deployment (3-6 months after)
rts with homecoming and time frame varies from
family to family.
mmon experiences included: honeymoon period,
s of independence for the spouse, need for one’s
n space, renegotiating routines and reintegrating

15. sk & Protective
Factors
Social support
 friends, family, military unit, military
community, local community
Communication with deployed member
Age and stage of life
 pregnancy, children, ages of children
Personal circumstance

16. sitive outcomes
of deployment
creased Autonomy
sonal development
Strengthening of
relationships

17. Where to next
Complete qualitative analysis
ntegrate findings into quantitative survey
Conduct questionnaire
Final report to Department of Veterans’

18. ong term aim
To assist the Department of Veterans’
Affairs and other key stakeholders in
understanding any implications of the
research findings for their programs and
service delivery.

19. • www.cmvh.org.au
• www.dva.gov.au
• families@cmvh.org.au
• healthstudy@dva.gov.au
• 1800 708 335 (Australia)
Questions?