Effects of Soldiers' Deployment on Children's Academic Performance and Behavioral Health

Abstract : Long and frequent deployments, with short dwell times in between, have placed stresses on Army children and families already challenged by frequent moves and parental absences. These stresses may present in the form of social, emotional, or behavioral problems among children at home and at school. With a better understanding of the issues that children face when a parent or guardian deploys, services for military families and children can be more effectively targeted to address those needs. RAND Arroyo Center was asked by the Army to conduct an analysis of the effects of soldiers' frequent and extended deployments on their children's academic performance as well as their emotional and behavioral outcomes in the school setting. This research included the following objectives: * To assess academic effects and behavioral health challenges associated with parental deployment; * To examine programs to support children's academic and school-related behavior during parental deployment and identify the gaps that currently exist; * To examine the current systems of behavioral health support for these children; and * Where indicated, make recommendations to support programs to ensure that children's academic and emotional needs are met. There are three interrelated research components to this study. For all research elements, we examine school-age children of soldiers in the Active force, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard, of all ranks.