The impact of deployment and traumatic brain injury on the health and behavior of children of US military service members and veterans

Abstract

This study examined the impact of service member/veteran (SMV) combat deployment and traumatic brain injury (TBI) on the health and behavior of his or her children. Participants were 104 female spouse caregivers of US SMVs who had sustained a mild, severe, or penetrating TBI. Participants completed the Children’s Health and Behavior Questionnaire (CHBQ; r = .758 to .881) that evaluates school grades, behavior, medical health, emotional health, and social participation: (a) prior to the first combat deployment, (b) in the month prior to the TBI, (c) within 2 years after the TBI, and (d) 2 or more years after the TBI. A substantial number of children experienced a decline in health and behavior following the TBI (41.7%–79.1%). Of those who declined (a) 68.8%–75.5% declined within the first 2 years post-injury, followed by improvement or stabilization; (b) 6.7%–15.6% declined only after 2 or more years post-injury; (c) 15.6%–25.0% declined within the first 2 years post-injury and then again 2 or more years post-injury; and (d) 16.9%–26.5% experienced a decline as a result of deployment, followed by an additional decline after the SMV’s TBI. Services are required for children of SMVs following TBI and deployment, particularly children at risk for poor outcome.