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