Global Perspectives on the Mental Health of Children of Military Service Members

Psychiatry. 2025 Fall;88(3):273-287. doi: 10.1080/00332747.2025.2530804. Epub 2025 Sep 12.

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveThis article reviews international research on the mental health of children of military service members, with a focus on the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It highlights the unique service-related stressors these children experience and presents Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory as a framework for understanding how various risk and protective factors interact to influence mental health outcomes. The article also explores prevention and intervention strategies that support resilience and psychological well-being in this population. Method: A comprehensive review of empirical studies was conducted using peer-reviewed journal articles, governmental reports, and institutional research databases. The review examined key variables including rates of mental health concerns, contributing risk and protective factors linked to military service, and best practice prevention and intervention approaches. Country-specific trends and gaps in research were also analyzed. Results: In addition to extensive research from the United States, a smaller but growing body of work from Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom was identified. Findings consistently show that children of military service members face increased risks of depression, anxiety, and behavioral challenges. However, protective factors such as strong family cohesion, supportive parental mental health, and access to structured services can buffer these risks. Ecological frameworks help capture how personal, family, and societal systems intersect in shaping outcomes. Conclusions: Continued research is needed to develop and evaluate scalable, evidence-based interventions tailored to military families. A family-centered and ecologically informed approach is essential to fostering resilience and improving long-term psychological outcomes for children of military service members.

PMID:40939067 | DOI:10.1080/00332747.2025.2530804