A University of Georgia study examined how relationships affect the mental health of adolescents in military families. Researchers surveyed more than 1,000 young people ages 11 to 18 who had at least one active-duty military parent. Participants named supportive relationships and rated their school engagement, confidence and any feelings of depression or anxiety. The study appears in Children and Youth Services Review.
Findings show a clear link between supportive relationships, adaptive coping and mental health. Support from parents and peers is associated with adolescents’ use of adaptive coping skills—such as problem-solving and self-reliance—that promote well-being. Supportive adults and peers offer repeated, meaningful examples of healthy ways to handle stress and emotions and provide safe spaces where young people can build self-sufficiency and stay optimistic despite external challenges.
Of non-family connections, nearly 65% of participants said peers were the main source of personal support. Over half of adolescents identified their mother as their primary family support; the researchers note this may reflect parent gender or military status because most fathers in the sample were service members and mothers were typically civilians.
Catherine Walker O’Neal, a coauthor, recommends modeling behaviours such as compromising, working hard and talking things out. The study finds that youth with stronger coping skills were more engaged in school, had greater confidence managing life’s hurdles and showed fewer depression symptoms. Researchers suggest encouraging extracurricular activities on and off bases and parents spending time in the local community to help young people build supportive networks.
- Mechanism: relationships teach healthy stress management.
- Result: better coping leads to more school engagement.
- Recommendation: encourage local and base activities.
Difficult words
- adaptive — able to change behaviour to fit situations
- cope — manage or deal with problems and stresscoping
- engagement — active participation or interest in an activity
- self-sufficiency — ability to take care of oneself independently
- extracurricular — activities outside the regular school program
- primary — main or most important in a group or list
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can schools help students from military families develop adaptive coping skills? Give two examples.
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of getting most personal support from peers rather than from family?
- Do you think parents spending time in the local community would change adolescents' support networks? Why or why not?
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