Week 9: Transition and Integration

Transition and integration are two elements of military life that are experienced frequently by military families. How does a military family cope with leaving the service? How do they repeatedly change locations?

This week, you revisit military families coping with transitions in and out of the military, as well as the integration into civilian life. You also explore strategies to help with this stage of military life.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze the impact of transition and integration on military families
• Assess coping strategies
• Apply knowledge to role as a helping professional

Learning Resources

Required Readings

DeCarvalho, L. T., & Whealin, J. A. (2012). Healing stress in military families: Eight steps to wellness. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.Step 7, “Challenge” (pp. 103–125)Curry, J. F., Kiser, L. J., Fernandez, P. E., Elliott, A. V., & Dowling, L. M. (2018). Development and initial piloting of a measure of post-deployment parenting reintegration experiences. Professional Psychology: Research And Practice, 49(2), 159-166.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2014g). Transition and integration [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 4 minutes.

Discussion: Transition and Integration

Transition and reintegration can be difficult for military personnel and for veterans. But it can also be difficult for military families. How does a family transition to another military installation or post? How do they acclimate to a new culture if stationed overseas? Can a spouse have a full career? How do children manage the frequent transitions of new schools, new friends, or new environments? How do military families in general transition to civilian life post military careers?

For this Discussion, review the media, Transition and Integration, provided in this week’s resources. Consider how the families adapted to transitions and managed reintegration into civilian life.

By Day 3

Post what resonated most with you about either family’s transition or integration experience. Describe the coping strategies you observed. How did resiliency play a role in their experiences? How does this information aid you as a helping professional working with these families?

Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts.

By Day 5

Respond to two or more colleagues with additional ways observations from this Discussion may aid you in working with military families.