The Relationship Between Parent–Soldier Communication and Postdeployment Soldier Mental Health

Abstract

National Guard members experience significant challenges surrounding deployment and reintegration. The supportive role of the relationship with a parent through the deployment cycle merits exploration. This longitudinal study of National Guard soldiers examined the relationship between soldier communication with one or more of their parents predeployment and mental health outcomes at reintegration and one year postdeployment. A stronger predeployment parent–soldier relationship is associated with good mental health outcomes at reintegration, and one year later. Additionally, communicating more frequently with a parent predeployment is indirectly associated with improved mental health outcomes, as long as the parent–soldier relationship is positive.