Military families carry unique magical thinking burdens — often invisible to civilian society but real and significant.
Magical Thinking Challenges Unique to Military Families
- Deployment separation: Repeated separations create attachment disruption and anxiety for all family members
- Reintegration: Return from deployment requires major readjustment, often triggering magical thinking
- Frequent relocation: PCS moves disrupt social supports that protect against magical thinking
- Secondary trauma: Living with a service member with PTSD or magical thinking creates secondary psychological impact
Children in Military Families and Magical Thinking
Military children are resilient but face significant magical thinking risks. School changes, parent absence, and exposure to parent's magical thinking all require specific support.
Resources for Military Family Magical Thinking
Military OneSource, Military Family Life Counselors (MFLC), and installation behavioral health services provide free or low-cost magical thinking support for military families.