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Family Advocacy Program offers study for deployed families

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman William Banton
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Hurlburt Field's Family Advocacy Program is participating in an ongoing study through Kansas State University this month to highlight resiliency in Air Force families following a deployment.

The study, which coincides with Military Family Month, is intended to help increase understanding the factors that contribute to success in a military family relationship and how to adapt to the deployment process.

"To me the biggest problem is couples that haven't been married long and lack and understanding of the military lifestyle" said 1st Lt. Lykia Lorenz, 1st Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron chief advocacy officer. "If we can identify things that are working in families, then we can provide better services."

The study explores the resiliency of couples that have at least one partner in the Air Force and have completed at least one deployment in relation to Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom within six months of participating in the study.

As many as 25 couples who identify themselves as having successful marriages and stable families will be asked to participate. The interviews, which will last up to two hours, will be recorded for future study.

"The hope is that families will be able to use the study to compare their daily lives with others and see that they face the same struggles," said Capt. Corey Carnes, 1st SOMDOS psychological resiliency chief.

Participants will be required to complete questionnaires separate from their partners. They will then partake in interviews with their partners designed to address demographic information and relationship history. The information will include pre-deployment, deployment, and reintegration history.

"The study will help find solutions for deployed families and help lessen any negative effects deployments cause on military families' daily lives," Captain Carnes said.

To help bring interest and participation, civilian partners will be able to select a $25 gift card to a local restaurant for their contribution to the study.

President Barack Obama proclaimed November as Military Family Month to celebrate military families' contributions and resiliency. By recognizing education programs and events the month helps focus attention on the challenges military families face and overcome while supporting the services of their loved ones.

"During Military Family Month, we celebrate the exceptional contributions of our military families, and we reaffirm our commitments to these selfless individuals who exemplify the highest principles of our nation," stated President Obama in his proclamation.

For more information, contact the Family Advocacy Program at (850) 881-5061.