Poster #94 - Genders' Moderating Effects on Childhood Parentification in Military Connected Youth

• In Event: 3-106 - Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: PS 11 Section - Family Context & Processes

Integrative Statement

Since September 11th, 2001, over 1.2 million Service Members have been deployed to the US conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.  With 44% of Service Members married and with children, the number of military-connected children affected by deployment is significant.    These deployments have been characterized by greater frequency and length with shorter at-home periods in-between.  Home-based spouses take on numerous responsibilities in the context of Service Members’ deployments and their physical and mental health have a significant impact on their ability to meet these demands.  In both the civilian and military family literature, maternal depression has been associated with lower maternal sensitivity, warmth and support.  These feelings of helplessness and sometimes resulting abdication of care may in turn contribute to children assuming adult roles and responsibilities. Within civilian literature, child parentification has been associated with a host of adverse outcomes, including attachment difficulties, increased anxiety, sleep, and eating difficulties as well as decreased self-esteem. This study sets out to examine the role of child parentification in contributing to the well-being of military-connected children and the potential role of gender in moderating these effects. 

Data for this study was drawn from a larger examination investigating the impact of military deployment on children and families. Marine families with a soon to be deploying Marine, a child between the ages of 3 and 7, and intact married or partnered relationship were recruited to participate in a longitudinal study designed to follow families over the course of deployment. Children in this subsample were on average 5 years 9 months (SD=12 months) and 55 % female.  This current study examines the pre- and mid-deployment phase utilizing data collected 1 to 4 months prior to deployment and at mid-deployment (i.e. typically 3 months subsequent to deployment).  Parent report was used to measure children’s parentification (i.e. Child Helplessness Questionnaire), emotion regulation (Children’s Emotion Regulation Questionnaire), and internalizing and externalizing symptoms (i.e. Child Behavior Check List). 

Neither prior to, nor during deployment were there gender differences in child parentification t(38) = .50, n.s. and  t(20) = -.61, n.s.  Yet notably prior to deployment child parentification was associated with increased emotion regulation for girls, r = .60, p < .01, but not in boys and during deployment, child parentification was associated with lower internalizing symptoms, r = -.65, p < .05, for girls, but not for boys.

Contrary to expectations, higher levels of parentification contributed to more positive outcomes among military connected girls, including higher emotion regulation and lower internalizing symptoms.  These findings suggest that in the context of deployment, girls may well experience some short-term gains by taking on parentified roles in the face of father-absence.  Further analysis will examine the role of parentification across the deployment and the role of gender in moderating these associations. Further discussion will also consider the potential immediate adaptive functions of these parentified behaviors but the possible longer term consequences for adjustment and autonomy development among military-connected youth.

Authors

• Cynthia L Kalian, Wayne State University-Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute
  Presenting Author

• Julie Wargo Aikins, Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute
  Non-Presenting Author

• Deane Aikins, Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute
  Non-Presenting Author