| Abstract |
Military families are placed under a great deal of stress while serving in the Armed Forces. Marines deploy regularly at 3-month intervals throughout the year leaving behind 7,924 dependents in a single parent home environment. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that improve health care of families in an overseas location during periods of deployment and non-deployment. Risk levels for health care can be assessed when information regarding health care visits, family strengths, extended family support, family well being, caretaker coping, and caretaker and child anxiety is studied. Families seen in Okinawa Japan will be evaluated for their health care visits during periods of separation and non-separation from deployed spouses. Deployed and non-deployed families will be studied over a 3-month period for self-reliance, coherence, social support, well-being, adaptation, coping, anxiety and health care visits. The Family Index of Regenerativity and Adaptation-Military tool (FIRA-M), the Family Attachment and Changeability Index (FAC18), the Family Coping Inventory (FCI) and the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI) will be used. Newly identified health problems or social service needs in participating subjects will prompt referral to appropriate providers. |
