Family Communication Across the Military Deployment Experience: Child and Spouse Report of Communication Frequency and Quality and Associated Emotions, Behaviors, and Reactions

Frequency and quality of family deployment communication was assessed and examined in conjunction with emotions and behaviors reported by military children and spouses (N = 26) before, during, and after deployment. Child deployment communication with siblings was associated with positive child outcomes. Conversely, before and during deployment child communication with a deployed parent was related to more child emotional reactions and behavioral problems. For spouses, more and better communication with children and the deployed partner was related to the spouse's having less negative temper or stress reactions. Use of newer communication technology during deployment was related to negative child outcomes.