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Teens of military parents more likely to engage in dangerous behaviors
Teenage children with parents or caregivers in the military are more likely to experience adverse events and engage in dangerous behavior during times of war than their peers, according to research published in JAMA Pediatrics.
“Our results demonstrated that there is a higher prevalence of substance use, violence, harassment, and weapon carrying among military connected adolescents during wartime compared with their nonmilitary peers,” Kathrine Sullivan, MSW, of the School of Social Work at the University of Southern California, and colleagues wrote. “Elevated rates of negative behaviors among military connected youth reflect a larger concern regarding the well-being of military families during this extended period of war.”
The researchers gathered data from a previous study that surveyed students from nearly all the secondary school districts in California. To compare the behaviors and outcomes of military connected students to their nonmilitary connected peers, the researchers divided the overall cohort into 54,679 military connected children and 634,034 nonmilitary peers.
Study results showed that military connected teens were more likely than their nonmilitary peers to engage in various dangerous behaviors. Of all the military teens surveyed, 45.22% reported alcohol use vs. 39.23% of nonmilitary teens. Other substance abuse issues were also higher, including smoking within the last 30 days, with 12.18% of military teens vs. 8.39% of nonmilitary teens; recent marijuana use, with 19.77% of military teens vs. 15.6% of nonmilitary teens; and recent use of stronger drugs, with 11.91% of military teens vs. 7.3% of nonmilitary teens.
Study results also showed that violent behaviors were also more prevalent among military teens, with 62.51% reporting physical violence compared to 51.62% of nonmilitary teens. Military connected teens were also more likely to bring a weapon to school, with 17.68% compared to 9.88% of nonmilitary students.
“Further efforts are needed to promote resilience among military children who are struggling,” Sullivan and colleagues wrote. “More efforts in social contexts, including civilian schools and communities, to support military families during times of war are likely needed.” – by David Costill
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
