Families Coping with Military-Related PTSD: A Grounded Theory Approach

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dc.contributor.advisorTam, Dora
dc.contributor.authorCollins, Tara
dc.contributor.committeememberBadry, Dorothy
dc.contributor.committeememberEste, David
dc.contributor.committeememberKawalilak, Colleen
dc.contributor.committeememberCarter, Irene
dc.contributor.committeememberEnns, Richard
dc.date2022-06
dc.date.accessioned2022-03-02T21:12:34Z
dc.date.available2022-03-02T21:12:34Z
dc.date.issued2022-03-01
dc.description.abstractSocial workers perceive life as being intertwined with multiple systems, which is relevant for military families given the strong connection to peers, the nature of work, military culture, and policies. Most veterans (65.6%) are married, and two-thirds have children. Family systems theory explains how PTSD in the family affects family members who must cope with disturbing behaviours from the military member. Although military-related PTSD has been studied in the U.S. for a decade, Canadian research is in its infancy. While family members have the potential to provide ongoing support and are integral to healing, family coping is understudied. In response to the gaps, I answered the research question “How do families cope when residing with a military parent experiencing military-related PTSD?” I used Corbin and Strauss’ (2015) grounded theory research to guide this study. Following theoretical sampling, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 nonmilitary parents and four adult children in Alberta. Grounded theory provided direction for structured coding procedures, including open, axial, and selective coding. The theory of Family Evolving was constructed, which involved six oscillating states of functioning: stability/healthy; instability/wavering; crisis/emergency; re-balancing/rebuilding; recurring instability/deflated hope; and refocusing/evolving functioning. Based on the levels of stress and available resources, families oscillated between these states, shifting behaviours in response to military parents’ symptoms. Challenges that families face intersect with presenting concerns, family dynamics, and coping. Family responses formed a feedback loop. The Family Evolving theory corroborates family systems theory, ecological systems theory, and theories of coping. The findings have important implications for military families, social work practice, theory, education, policy, and research. Social workers play an important role in working with military families and need to incorporate a family friendly approach by including them in the healing process. With ongoing knowledge and targeted family and macro interventions, military families will be better able adapt to the challenges of military-related PTSD. Further research could explore expand the sample to include military members/veterans and families across Canada. This would involve conducting more research with children and look at other diverse military families.en_US
dc.identifier.citationCollins, T. (2022). Families Coping with Military-Related PTSD: A Grounded Theory Approach (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/39619
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/114442
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisher.facultySocial Worken_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjectcopingen_US
dc.subjectmilitary familesen_US
dc.subjectoscillating states of functioningen_US
dc.subjectmilitary-related PTSDen_US
dc.subject.classificationHistory--Militaryen_US
dc.subject.classificationIndividual and Family Studiesen_US
dc.subject.classificationMental Healthen_US
dc.titleFamilies Coping with Military-Related PTSD: A Grounded Theory Approachen_US
dc.typedoctoral thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineSocial Worken_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrueen_US
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