Researchers analyzed responses from more than 1,000 adolescents ages 11 to 18 who had at least one active-duty military parent. The survey asked young people to name supportive relationships and to rate school engagement, confidence and any feelings of depression or anxiety. The study highlights how relationships connect to well-being for military youth.
Supportive relationships from parents and peers were linked to adolescents’ use of adaptive coping skills, such as problem-solving and self-reliance. Adolescence can be especially hard for military youth because of parent deployments, frequent moves and other disruptions. Evin Richardson, the study's corresponding author, notes that relationships are important for all youth and for military youth in particular.
Of non-family connections, nearly 65% of participants said peers were the main source of personal support, and over half of adolescents identified their mother as their primary family support. The researchers say this pattern may reflect parent gender or military status, since most fathers in the sample were service members and mothers were typically civilians.
The study also found that youth with stronger coping skills were more engaged in school, had greater confidence in handling life’s hurdles and showed fewer symptoms of depression. The researchers suggest encouraging extracurricular activities and parents spending time in the local community to help young people build supportive networks.
Difficult words
- adolescent — Young person between childhood and adulthood.adolescents
- supportive — Showing care or help to someone.
- cope — To deal with problems or difficult situations.coping
- deployment — The act of sending military personnel away.deployments
- engagement — Active interest and participation in an activity.
- peer — A person of the same age or status.peers
- confidence — Belief in one’s own abilities and judgment.
- symptom — A sign that shows a problem or illness.symptoms
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What activities could schools or communities offer to help military youth build supportive networks?
- How can parents and peers help a young person cope during a parent’s deployment?
- Have you seen peers support someone during a difficult time? Describe what happened and why it helped.
Related articles
AI coach helps medical students learn suturing
Researchers at Johns Hopkins developed an explainable AI tool that gives immediate text feedback to medical students practicing suturing. A small randomized study found faster learning for students with prior experience; beginners showed less benefit.