Military families carry unique openness burdens — often invisible to civilian society but real and significant.
Openness 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 openness
- Frequent relocation: PCS moves disrupt social supports that protect against openness
- Secondary trauma: Living with a service member with PTSD or openness creates secondary psychological impact
Children in Military Families and Openness
Military children are resilient but face significant openness risks. School changes, parent absence, and exposure to parent's openness all require specific support.
Resources for Military Family Openness
Military OneSource, Military Family Life Counselors (MFLC), and installation behavioral health services provide free or low-cost openness support for military families.