Diana Pineda

Substance Use Among Military-Connected Youth The California Healthy Kids Survey

BACKGROUND Young people in military-connected families may be exposed to deleterious stressors, related to family member deployment, that have been associated with externalizing behaviors such as substance use. Substance use predisposes youth to myriad health and social problems across the life span. PURPOSE This study examined the prevalence and correlates of lifetime and recent substance use in a normative sample of youth who were either connected or not connected to the military. METHODS Data are from a subsample of the 2011 California Healthy Kids Survey (N=14,149). Items in the present analyses included present familial military affiliation (no one, parent, sibling); number of deployments (none, one, two or more); gender; grade; and race/ethnicity. Substance use items assessed whether the youth reported lifetime use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, other drugs, or prescription drugs; and recent (past 30 days) use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs. RESULTS Multivariate analysis conducted in 2012 revealed that an increase in the number of deployments was associated with a higher likelihood of lifetime and recent use, with the exception of lifetime smoking. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that experiences associated with deployment of a family member may increase the likelihood of substance use.

Well-being and suicidal ideation of secondary school students from military families.

BACKGROUND The mental health of children is a primary public health concern; adolescents of military personnel may be at increased risk of experiencing poorer well-being overall and depressive symptoms specifically. These adolescents experience individual and intrafamilial stressors of parental deployment and reintegration, which are directly and indirectly associated with internalizing behaviors. PURPOSE The present study sought to better understand the influence of parental military connectedness and parental deployment on adolescent mental health. METHODS Data from the 2011 California Healthy Kids Survey examined feeling sad or hopeless, suicidal ideation, well-being, and depressive symptoms by military connectedness in a subsample (n = 14,299) of seventh-, ninth-, and 11th-grade California adolescents. Cross-classification tables and multiple logistic regression analyses were used. RESULTS More than 13% of the sample had a parent or sibling in the military. Those with military connections were more likely to report depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Controlling for grade, gender, and race/ethnicity, reporting any familial deployment compared with no deployments was associated with increasing odds of experiencing sadness or hopelessness, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS Findings emphasize the increased risk of mental health issues among youth with parents (and siblings) in the military. Although deployment-related mental health stressors are less likely during peace, during times of war there is a need for increased screening in primary care and school settings. Systematic referral systems and collaboration with community-based mental health centers will bolster screening and services.

Integrating mental health screening and abnormal cancer screening follow-up: An intervention to reach low-income women

The results of implementing mental health screening within cancer screening and diagnostic programs serving low-income ethnic minority women are reported. Multi-phased screening for anxiety and depression was provided as part of structured health education and intensive case management services to improve abnormal mammogram or Pap test follow-up. Seven hundred fifty-three women were enrolled in the Screening Adherence Follow-up Program. Ten percent (n = 74) met criteria for depressive or anxiety disorder. Women with depressive or anxiety disorders were more likely to have cancer, significant psychosocial stress, fair or poor health status, a comorbid medical problem, and limitation in functional status. Forty-seven women with disorders were receiving no depression care.

Perceived Discriminatory Bullying Among Military-Connected Students Attending Public Schools

This study explored discriminatory bullying among military-connected students (n = 14,512) attending secondary public schools. Compared to respondents with no military connection, participants with a parent in the military reported higher rates of discrimination based on race/ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and physical/mental disability. Increasing number of deployments in the past 10 years was associated with increased likelihood of discrimination in all the models. The findings provide evidence that military-connected students feel bullied and discriminated against for a variety of reasons and that as the number of deployments increased, military-connected students’ reports of discriminatory bullying experiences increased as well.

Parental Involvement and Perceptions of School Climate in California

Parental involvement plays a significant role in students’ social and academic outcomes. Nevertheless, systemic ways of gathering parental views have not been used or highlighted in the policy aren...

Partners at Learning: A Service-Learning Approach to Serving Public School Students from Military Families

ABSTRACT The majority of 4 million United States military-connected students attend public schools, and many face various challenges that stem from factors related to military service. Schools can support these students through a positive school climate and attention to their needs. University service-learning programs can enhance the experiences of military-connected students. This study presents an evaluation of the Partners at Learning program, where undergraduate university students provided tutoring to underserved students, including military-connected students. Results show that Partners at Learning tutors reported greater awareness of the unique experiences of these military-connected students, increased understanding of diverse groups, and increased interest in social justice advocacy.

School Staff Perceptions of Military-Connected Students in Civilian Public Schools: Implications for Teachers, Counselors, and School Staff

ABSTRACT Nearly all public school districts serve some of the 4 million military-connected students in the United States. Little is known about the perceptions of school staff and their understanding of the challenges facing these students in their schools. Results from 4,616 California school staff in 2011 and 2013 indicate that many believe in their capacity to respond to the needs of these students. However, in many cases, they do not know whether particular challenges or assets exist. These results emphasize the importance of efforts to highlight the needs of this population and that school staff are integral sources of support.

An Evaluation of the Use of Educational Resource Guides for Military Students in Public Schools

ABSTRACT Most public school staff are unaware of the presence of military-connected students in their schools. The Building Capacity Consortium aimed to increase awareness of military-connected students and meet their needs in schools. The Consortium developed a series of guidebooks to share evidence-based and homegrown strategies to support military-connected students and their families. Educational guidebooks are frequently used for training, but few are evaluated for their usefulness. This evaluation included a survey of 649 recipients of resource guides and presents their feedback. Results indicate that the resource guides were well received. Recommendations for further dissemination of these guides are discussed.