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