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When Parents Transition Out of Service: Impact on Teen Mental Health

Adam Moore
Published: 07/01/2025 | Updated: 07/01/2025
Authored by: Adam Moore, MPharm
Edited by: Emma Loker, BSc, PgDip
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When Parents Transition Out of Service

If you or a loved one has ever served in the military, you’ll probably know all too well the challenges involved. A career in the military comes with unique expectations; moving on short notice, periods of isolation from non-serving friends and family, and coping with the high-stress nature of the job. 

Likewise, it can be challenging to transition out of the military. Settling back into civilian life often requires a lot of adjustment. If you’re a parent, this adjustment can be especially tough, as it can have a considerable effect on the home life and family dynamic. 

The good news is that support is available to aid this transition. Mission Prep can help. This article can also serve as a guide, breaking down the following information: 

  • Why parents transition out of service impacts teen mental health 
  • The emotional effects of military transition on teens
  • Teen stress after military separation
  • Identity shift in military families
  • Parent discharge and teen mental health
  • Career change stress on teens
  • Support for transitioning military families
  • Coping with family lifestyle changes
  • Open communication during military transition
  • Resources for parenting during transition
  • Mission prep: supporting families during the transition out of service

Why Parents' Transition Out of Service Impacts Teen Mental Health

The transition from military to civilian life is an adjustment for a mom or dad, but if there are young kids and teenagers in the family, they can also be affected.

In general, life as a teenager can be tricky. It’s a time of emotional turbulence; dealing with hormonal shifts, creating a sense of identity, aiming for good grades, maintaining relationships, and so on. 

So, it’s understandable that the emotional effects of military transition can be highly intense for teens. For instance, research has shown that teen stress after military separation can appear as increased anxiety, behavioural issues, depression, or academic challenges.1

The following section takes a closer look at how parents’ transition out of military service can impact teens emotionally.

The Emotional Effects of Military Transition on Teens

Children and young people are undeniably influenced by their parents, ideally in a positive way. Teens who have grown up in a household where their parent(s) have served may feel inspired by and look up to their mom or dad. Their parents’ role often instills a sense of pride, becoming a part of the teen’s identity. 

However, if a parent leaves the military, teens may grapple with what it means for their household to no longer be a “military family.” Service in the military usually comes with a sense of routine and resilience – so when this is removed, a teen’s self-image and sense of social belonging can be negatively impacted. This may be especially the case for their relationships with peers who have a family background in service.2

Additionally, if the shift from the military to civilian life is bumpy or on short notice, this can create further impact on teens. One study that looked at the emotional effect of military transitions in children showed that a poorly managed shift could create more intense emotional disturbance. In other words, teens may become more prone to distress and irritability as a result.3

It’s important to know that transitioning out of the military isn’t all doom and gloom. The emotional effects of military transition can vary, and in fact, there can be some relief. For example, there may be reduced stress if a family unit is often affected by deployments. Or, to put it another way, the emotional impact of leaving the military can be changeable depending on the circumstances and the nature of the transition. 

Teen Stress After Military Separation

As mentioned, being a teenager comes with a great amount of pressure in academic and social life. Routine and predictability can help a young person feel safe and supported – but when a parent is deployed or the family is relocated, this transition can bring about uncertainty. This is particularly the case when teens have to leave friends, schools, and communities behind. 

Additionally, as routines change, familial roles often do too. Being away from anyone for a long time means that some effort is usually required to reconnect successfully. For example, long absences might mean missing out on some of a teen’s more formative experiences – creating a sense of emotional distance. 

Plus, after transition, a parent who was once frequently deployed may now be physically present but emotionally distant as they face reintegration challenges. In fact, research has shown that uncertainty around housing, employment, education, and new communities can result in a higher risk of mental health issues within the family.4

Military parents don’t want to lose connection with their child, so reestablishing a bond can feel “high stakes.” However, there are actions that can be taken, which we discuss later in this article. 

Identity Shift in Military Families

Military children can wear their association with service as a badge of honor, taking pride in their parents’ military background. However, once parents transition out of the military, teens might feel a loss of social status or question the identity they’ve formed. What’s more, adapting to civilian life brings its own challenges. Research shows that there are often strong values in military families – mainly patriotism, authority, and discipline.5 After transition, teens may need to adapt to new social norms, create less rigid routines, and establish friendships with those who may not have a military background. 

Therefore, it’s understandable that reintegrating into new communities, joining a new school, or forming relationships can be difficult when preexisting military values aren’t necessarily shared. 

Career Change Stress on Teens

Transitioning from military service to civilian employment is rarely seamless. There are important changes to consider: pay grade, health insurance, working hours, the nature of a day-to-day job, and so on. 

Changing jobs can be stressful for anyone. However, this anxiety can be amplified for someone who was in the military and became accustomed to a certain community and environment.   

Career change stress on teens can also provoke anxiety about the stability of the family’s future finances. Indeed, young people may experience the added pressure to contribute financially or feel the need to “step up” above what’s required for their age in terms of maturity.7 

Parenting During Transition: How to Balance Parent Discharge and Teen Mental Health

Leaving the military often marks the end of a chapter that was defined by structure, routine, and sacrifice. During this time, the mental health of teens can be especially fragile as there may be household tension, isolation from peers, or a feeling of being unable to share concerns.

Without the proper support, teen mental health challenges such as an increased risk of depression and social withdrawal can arise. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Evidence suggests that the right support can improve well-being and reduce the likelihood of mental health-related issues in military teens.6 Mission Prep can assist you in accessing support systems and opening communication in ways that specifically support families leaving the military. The following information can also help. 

Support for Transitioning Military Families

There are a variety of support options available to families affected by transitioning out of service back into civilian society. These resources are specifically designed to help maintain well-being and prevent mental health-related issues in any family member as a result of service and include:

  • Military OneSource: Offers free, confidential therapy and resources for active, reserve, and recently discharged families. 
  • Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP): Mandated by the Department of Defence, YRRP provides workshops and community events for National Guard and Reserve members and their families. 
  • Cohen Veterans Network (CVN): Offers telehealth and in-person therapy tailored for military youth and teens. Their clinics host group sessions addressing deployment, reintegration, and emotional struggles faced during transitions.
  • Vet Center Readjustment Counseling: Provides free, community-based counseling and group therapy for veterans, service members, and family members—including teens. They focus on readjustment, PTSD, grief, and family reintegration issues 

Resources for Parenting During Transition

While the mental health of teens in military associated families is important, it’s also essential to remember that your mental health as a parent is equally important. Your well-being can have a knock-on effect on the rest of the family. Fortunately, there are resources for military parents who want more guidance on parenting during transition, including: 

  • Parenting & Children Resources (Military OneSource): Offers free support for transitioning families, including access to parenting consultants, workshops – both in person and online – and confidential therapy for teens and their parents. 
  • Military Parent Resource Center (Military OneSource): Here you’ll find resources that cover positive parenting, self-care tips and routines, and advice on communication between parents and their children. This information is specific to military families that are facing change. 
  • National Military Family Association (NMFA): Runs workshops, webinars, and scholarship programs to assist transitioning military parents.
  • Sesame Street for Military Families: Provides games, activities, and tips that focus on expressing emotions – with a focus on military to civilian transitions – to help parents connect with their children through change. 

Small Actions for Coping With Family Lifestyle Changes

Leaving the military means a big shift in routine. Even on a personal level, for a parent, it can be difficult to adjust. But teenagers can struggle even more so. For this reason, it’s important to be adaptable and provide healthy outlets for coping with change. 

In addition to the support options mentioned earlier, it’s good to encourage open discussions at home. Teens should also try to engage in healthy hobbies and interests to help alleviate the emotional baggage that can come with transitioning. 

Importantly, as military life is naturally regimented, teens from military families may seek the familiarity and structure they had before transitioning to civilian life. Research has shown that maintaining a predictable daily schedule helps reduce anxiety and depression in adolescents navigating significant life changes.8

So, introducing regular family activities like sitting down together for dinner, a weekend hike, or even watching TV together can help. While it’s good to focus on a teenager’s wellbeing while undergoing change, creating family rituals can also help to bring the family closer together during a potentially difficult time.8
mental health treatment after parents transition out of service

Mission Prep: Supporting Families During the Transition Out of Service

While returning to civilian life can take a toll on teens’ well-being, the experienced team at Mission Prep is on hand to offer support to military-connected families. 

Mission Prep understands the unique set of challenges that are often faced by military teens and their families. Our team endeavors to help you or a loved one navigate the journey of reintegration, as well as manage the stresses that can come with isolation and frequent transitions. We do so by offering a range of therapy options, as well as holistic approaches and lifestyle changes designed to fit your needs.

Mission Prep also offers telehealth services, which allow military teens who may be relocated or deployed and unable to access in-person resources to do so remotely. 

If you’re ready to explore Mission Prep’s treatment options or if you have any questions about how we can help, our team is here 24/7 to assist you. Reach out to us today or email info@missionprephealthcare.com.

References

  1. Creech, S. K., Hadley, W., & Borsari, B. (2014). The impact of military deployment and reintegration on children and parenting: A systematic review. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 45(6), 452-464. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035055
  2. Easterbrooks, M. A., Ginsburg, K., & Lerner, R. M. (2013). Resilience among military youth. The Future of Children, 23(2), 99-120. https://doi.org/10.1353/foc.2013.0014
  3. Osofsky, J. D., & Chartrand, M. M. (2013). Military children from birth to five years. The Future of Children, 23(2), 61-77. https://doi.org/10.1353/foc.2013.0011.
  4. Thomas, G. (2018). The stress effects of military families’ transition to civilian life. Mental Health Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.7748/mhp.2018.e1311
  5. Park, N. (2011). Military children and families: Strengths and challenges during peace and war. American Psychologist, 66(1), 65-72. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021249
  6. Paley, B., Lester, P., & Mogil, C. (2013). Family systems and ecological perspectives on the impact of deployment on military families. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 16(3), 245-265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-013-0138-y
  7. Huebner, A. J., & Mancini, J. A. (2014). Adjustments among adolescents in military families when a parent is deployed. Military Family Research Institute, 12(3), 86-101.
  8. Fiese, B. H., & Winter, M. A. (2010). Family routines and rituals: A context for development in the lives of young children. Zero to Three, 30(4), 12-20.