Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 2015

Abstract

There have been2.2 million service members deployed to combat since 2001 and 44% report difficulties readjusting to post-deployment life. There are many recreational and therapeutic interventions that are used to help service members and their families adjust to post-deployment life. Interventions that are directed towards the family as a whole can help reduce their stress. Family adaptability, cohesion, satisfaction, communication, and positive and negative affect of service members and their families post - deployment were measured during three recreation-based therapeutic family camps. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Camp Twin Lakes' Family Warrior Weekend. Results from independent sample tests indicated that family communication, satisfaction, flexibility, total family functioning, and negative affect saw no significant change at the post-test, but increased at the two week follow-up. There was a decrease in positive affect, the opposite of what was hypothesized. However, no changes in scores were statistically significant. The study shows that the Family Warrior Weekend may improve family functioning after the camp; however, additional study is needed to draw further conclusions.

Comments

Poster presentation at Clemson University 10th Annual Focus on Creative Inquiry Forum, Clemson, SC.

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