Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Vol. 14, No. 2, 1985
A Survey of Adolescent Military Family Members' Self-Image 1 Henry K. Watanabe 2 Received November 1, 1984; accepted April 26, 1985 The Offer Self-Image Questionnaire was administered to 135 adolescent military f a m i l y members, ages 13 through 18. The data suggest that the usual demands placed on the military f a m i l y do not deter the adolescent f r o m developing a healthy self-image.
INTRODUCTION The normal adolescent has remained an enigma for most adults. The relatively untroubled adolescent has been regarded as an anomaly, an unexpected pleasure, or a suspect of perhaps impending psychological disaster since turmoil has been considered normal to this stage (Blos, 1962; Freud, 1958). Offer (1969; Offer et al., 198Ib), during the past 20 years, has challenged the "storm and stress" view that adolescence is a time of turmoil. This study attempts to point up the relevance of Offer's studies to a military adolescent population. Studies in Military Communities Children in the military community experience the same general developmental and motivational processes as other children. They also experience a unique social and facilitating environment. O f the m a n y characterizations made o f the child o f military parents, generally, the remarks have been 'The contents herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center or the Department of Defense. 2Department of Psychiatry, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. Receivedhis M.D. from Tulane University. Research interests are adolescence and substance abuse. 99 (XI47.289118510400.0099504.5010© 1985 Plenum Publishing Corporation
100
Watanabe
negative-the military child suffers from too much or too little authority, or the father is absent too often so that his influence is limited. Also, the frequent moves and the lack of stability have been blamed for upsetting the child, who has been called a poor student, undisciplined, or a "military brat" (Kenny, 1967). The military child's reaction to the various stresses inherent in this unique setting has been the subject of many studies. Kenny (1967), in his study of 206 military children (ages 10-15) in Germany in 1963, noted that military children functioned better than their civilian counterparts; the former group had (1) a higher median intelligence quotient and a better school achievement record, (2) fewer emotionally disturbed children in the community, and (3) a lower incidence of juvenile delinquency. Darnauer (1976) focused on what it is like to be an adolescent in a career Army family. In 1970, he studied 60 military adolescent male dependents (ages 16-18) from a major West Coast Army post. His findings indicated that neither youths nor parents appeared to view adolescent life in the Army family as dissimilar from adolescent life in civilian communities. Studies of children in military families have consistently failed to find any predictable relationship between emotional and behavioral problems and the frequency of family moves (Shaw, 1982). Thus, studies of military children have, with some reservations, failed to reveal significant developmental difficulties in spite of the fact that the children are members of military families and as such are subject to certain unique requirements.
THE STUDY Objective of the Study
The objective of the study was to compare the self-image profile of military adolescents with established norms for the nonmilitary adolescents to determine whether the resultant profile would be indicative of psychological differences because he/she is a member of a military family. It was hypothesized that the psychological profile of the normal military adolescent is very similar to that of the nonmilitary adolescent (i.e., military adolescents basically are able to develop a healthy self-image in spite of the experience of having been reared in an environment in which options are determined by military necessities). Instrument
The Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ; Offer et al., 1981a) was considered best suited for such an investigation because it was originally
Military Adolescents' Self-Image
I01
designed and validated for use with adolescents and had the advantage of obviating observer bias by requiring self-ratings. The OSIQ measures 11 content areas believed to be important to the psychological life of an adolescent. Offer and associates felt that an assessment of each o f the I 1 areas was considered important, since adolescents who can master one aspect of their environment may fail to adjust in other areas. Reliability and validity of the OSIQ had been previously established (Offer et al., 1981a). This is the first report using the OSIQ with military adolescents.
Subject Population The military adolescent sample consisted o f military family members between the ages o f 13 and 18 who were seen in adolescent medicine clinics at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.; Andrew Rader Clinic, Ft. Myer, Virginia; and Dewitt Army Community Hospital, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. The subjects were routine ambulatory care adolescents in the Washington, D.C., area who approximated Offer's reference group.
Administration and Scoring of the OSIQ Each participant was asked to complete the 130-question OSIQ while in the clinic, after consent to participate was obtained and for the adolescents who were under the age of 18, parental consent was also obtained. A worksheet was maintained to record demographic data including the number of family moves; rank, status, branch of the service member; and other information that might prove useful in the final analyses. A coding scheme was devised to provide anonymity and confidentiality of the subject and responses. The final sample consisted of 135 subjects divided into four subgroups: young males from 13-15 years of age (N = 33), young females from 13-15 years o f age (N = 34), older males from 16-18 years of age (N = 35); and older females from 16-18 years of age (N = 33). Two-thirds of the sample group were from families in which the service member was on active duty, while the remaining one-third were from families where the service member had retired from military service. Eighty percent of the adolescents had moved four or more times since birth. In this sample, officer families made up 80%.
RESULTS The means and standard deviations for the military adolescent subgroups, together with their totals, are presented in Table I. The standard
(15) (15) (I 3) (14) (17) (13) (15) (14) (16) (15) (17)
53 (17)
54 50 50 55 54 50 52 54 52 48 52
(14) ~ (13) (12) (13) h (17) (12) (13) (12) (14) b (14) h (12) h
57 (12)
57 53 55 57 55 49 54 53 56 57 56
Older 16-18 (N = 35) (14) (14) (13) (14) (17) (12) (14) (13) (15) (15) (15)
55 (15)
56 52 53 56 55 49 53 53 54 52 54
Total (N = 68) (15) c (13) c (15) c (13) c (21) (17) (16) (15) c (15) c (16) c (17) ¢
62 (18)
57 58 62 59 54 46 53 60 58 59 59
Young Females 13-15 (N = 34) (12) c (19) (14) n (16) (17) (14) (14) (17) (14) c (16) (16) 57 (17)
59 53 56 53 55 49 51 54 57 54 58
Older Females 16-18 (N = 33)
Females
(14) (16) (15) (15) (19) (16) (15) (16) (14) (16) (17) 59 (17)
58 56 59 56 55 48 52 59 58 56 58
(14) (15) (14) (14) (18) (14) (14) (15) (15) (16) (16) 57 (16)
57 54 56 56 55 49 53 55 56 54 56
Total Total sample (N = 67) (N = 135)
"Standard deviations are given in parentheses. J'p < 0.05, when this score is compared to the standard score of 50 of the normal reference group of the same age and sex. "p < 0.01, when this score is compared to the standard score of 50 of the normal reference group of the same age and sex.
Impulse control Emotional tone Body/self-image Social relations Morals Sexual attitudes Family relations External mastery Vocational-educational goals Psychopathology Superior adjustment Sum of scales (total) excluding sexual attitudes
Scale
Young 13-15 (N = 33)
Males
Table 1. Mean Scores on OSIQ Scales for Adolescent Dependents of Military Families"
e~
g
Military Adolescents' Self-Image
103
scores on all scales are near 50, with the majority of the scores over 50, implying that the military adolescents did as well as, and in some cases even better than, the nonmilitary adolescents on each scale and in the total adjustment. An analysis of the individual "selves" reveals the following: 1. In the Psychological Self (Impulse Control, Emotional Tone, Body/Self-Image), the military adolescent scores were exceptional. The older males and younger and older females showed significantly greater impulse control (p < 0.01) than their nonmilitary counterparts. The younger females scored exceptionally higher in emotional tone (p < 0.01) as well. Both the younger and o|der females scored significantly higher on the body and selfimage scale (young females' p < 0.01, older females' p < 0.05). Overall, the body/self-image of the military adolescent was strongly positive, with females reporting a better image than males. 2. The Social Self (Social Relations, Morals, Vocational-Educational Goals) was exceptional when compared to the nonmilitary group. The older military maIes and younger military females scored higher than the comparative group in social relations (older males' p < 0.05, younger females' p < 0.01). On the vocational and educational scale, the older males, younger females, and older females scored significantly higher (older males' p < 0.05; younger and older females' p < 0.01) than the nonmilitary adolescent group. 3. The Sexual Self reports of the military adolescents tended to be conservative, as indicated by a total sample standard score of 49. 4. The scores of the Familial Self are comparable to the nonmilitary groups. This indicates that the military adolescent perceives his family as generally harmonious and well functioning. 5. The Coping Self (External Mastery, Psychopathology, Superior Adjustment) draws on the strengths o f the adolescent. The young females were again noted to score exceptionally well in this area. Scores of the older males were significant on psychopathology and the superior adjustment scales (p < 0.05), but the younger females scored significantly higher on all three scales of the Coping Self (p < 0.01) than did their nonmilitary counterparts. This finding indicates that the military adolescents were well-functioning adolescents who are able to deal adequately with their environment. The most striking finding in the analysis of the data of our military adolescent sample was the higher scoring of the younger females, whose scores were statistically significant at the p < 0.01 level on 8 of the 11 scales. Figures 1-4 display the standard score profiles on all 11 scales for each of the military adolescent subgroups. In our sample, the females scored better than the males.
104
Watanabe
PS-I
Impulse Control
(571
PS-Z
Emotional
(5~g (~Zt
Tone Body/Self Imacje
PS-3
SS-I Social Relations SS-Z Morals $5-3 Vocal. ~Educ. Gotls SxS
Sexual Attitudes
rS
Family Relations
(591 (541 (58~ 146) (53i
CS-I Mastery Ext. World CS-Z Psychol~holow CS-3 Superior Adjuslment l
|
?5
3O
_
i
(60) (59i (59|
I
i
!
35
4O
45
1 55
50
I 60
l 65
l 70
l 75
Standard Scores PS SS SxS FS CS
-
Psychological Self Social Sell Sexual Self Familial Self Coping Self
Fig. 1. Offer Self-lmage Questionnaire (OSIQ) standard score profile for young female military adolescents, ages 13-15 (N = 34).
PS-| Impulse Cortrol PS-2 Emotional To~e PS-3 Body/Self Irnage
I~) 1531 (561
SS-I Social Relations SS-Z Morals SS-3 Voc~.lEduc. Goals
i531 (SS) lSII
SxS
Sexual Attitudes
149) t
FS
Family Relations
(5[)
CS-I Mastery Ext. World CS-2 Psycho~holotjy CS-3 Superior Adjustment
f \
(MI (54) (58)
i
I
I
I
J
25
30
35
4O
45
l
50
55
I, 60
J 65
1 70
_1 75
Standard Scores PS - Psycho~ogEal Self SS - Social Sell SxS - Sexual Self FS - Familial Sell CS - Coping Self
Fig. 2. Offer Self-lmage Questionnaire (OSIQ) standard score profile for older female military adolescents, ages 16-18 (N = 33).
Military Adolescents' Self-Image
105 /
PS-I Impulc, e Control PS-2 Ernolional Tone PS-] B~y!Self Image
(54) 150) 1501
SS-I Social Relations SS-? Morals SS-3 Vocat. Educ. Goals
155~ (541 1521
SxS
Sexual Atlitudes
I ~,,,4)
1501
FS CS-I Mastery EXt. World CS-2 Psychopathology CS -3 Superior AdltJslmenl
(541 148) 152)
!
I
I
i
~
k~
30
35
4O
45
PS SS SxS FS CS
11 l
1
....
50 55 Standard Sc,')res
1
l
t
~0
65
1(1
__j
t~:
- Psychological Sell - Social Self - Sexual Self Far~lliel Self - Coping Self
Fig. 3. Offer Self-lmage Questionnaire (OSIQ) standard score profile for young male military adolescents, ages 13-15 (N = 33).
PS-I Impulse Control PS-2 EmaUonal Tone PS-3 Body/Self Image
1571 1531 (551
SS-] Social Relations SS-2 Morals SS-3 Vocal. fEduc. Goals
(55) (56l
SxS
Sexual Attitudes
1491 i
FS
family Relations
1541 (53l (57l 1561
CS-I Mastery Ext. World CS-2 Psychopathology CS-3 Superior Adjustment t~
1. . . . . . .
)0
,
]5
i
J
40
45
i
50
55
.......
[
i
i,
I
60
65
?0
7S
Standard Scores PS SS SxS FS CS
- Psychological Self - Social Self • Sexual Serf - Familial Self - Coping Self
Fig. 4. OfferSelf-lmage Questionnaire (OSIQ) standard score profile for older male military adolescents, ages 16-18 (N = 35).
106
Watanabe
DISCUSSION When the total scores are examined, the findings tend to confirm the original hypothesis of this study--the psychological profile of the military adolescent is very similar to that of the nonmilitary adolescent. Actually, in three of the military subgroups (older males, young females, and older females), the scores exceed those of the reference group. The results of the study suggest that the self-image of the military adolescent is as good as that of the nonmilitary adolescent and in some areas, the military youngsters exceed the established norms of their nonmilitary counterparts. This indicates that the military adolescent is able to develop a healthy self-image, even with the experience of having to grow up in an environment where frequent adjustments must be made because of military necessities and demands. The frequency of moves and other military experiences do not seem to deter the military adolescent from developing a healthy self-image. Considering the opportunities and experiences, as well as the supportive network in the military, the adolescents seem to be able to gain something. When one views adolescence as a critical period for seeing the impact of community type on self-image, the military community and sociocultural milieu seem to impact in a favorable manner on the military adolescent dependent. In this study, two findings were considered significant and worthy of comment. First, in the area of impulse control, the military adolescent group exceeded their nonmilitary counterparts. This is considered to reflect the attitude toward discipline in the military. Second, the military adolescents scored well on the vocational and educational goals scale. This may be a reflection of the value placed on education by their parents, since advancements, duty classifications, and assignments in the military are highly dependent on one's level of training and education. It must also be recognized that the military is a select community whose members have been screened intellectually and emotionally. This selection process could very well account for the superior showing of the military adolescents compared to their nonmilitary counterparts. Furthermore, the military adolescents are considered to reflect and share more closely their parents' value systems, attitudes, pride, and accomplishments. As indicated by Pedersen and Sullivan (1964) in comparing normal and emotionally disturbed military children, "mothers of normal children appeared significantly more accepting of frequent relocation, and both mothers and fathers of normal children showed a stronger identification with the military community." The basic parent-child relatinship impacts significantly in the development of a healthy self-image. Gabower (1960), in her studies of children in
Military Adolescents' Self-Image
107
Navy families, suggested that the environmental and social situations that a child experienced were considered only superficial to the parent-child relationship. Our study tends to deemphasize the military environment and lifestyle as a negative experience on the child. In evaluating this study, it is recognized that the sampling of the subjects might have been biased by the selection of adolescents who came to the adolescent medicine clinics at military facilities. The population selected may be biased toward health and well-being, since a majority of the youngsters had come for school and/or sports physicals. It is also recognized that the subjects were largely from officer families. Drawing upon a school population as Offer had done would have been more ideal in seeking out a comparative group. Such a research study in the future to further validate our findings is being planned.
REFERENCES Btos, P. (1962). On Adolescence. Free Press, New York. Darnauer, P. F. (1976). The adolescent experience in career army families. In McCubbin, H., Dahl, B., and Hunter, E. (eds.), Families in the Mililary System, Sage, Beverly Hills, Calif., pp. 42-66. Freud, A. (1958). Adolescence. Psychoanal. Stud. Child 16: 255-278. Gabower, G. (1960). Behavior problems of children in Navy officer families. Soc. Casework 41: 177-184. Kenny, J. A. (1967). The child in the military community. J. Am. Acad. Child Psychiaz. 6:51-63. Offer, D. (1969). The Psychological World o f the Teenager, Basic Books, New York. Offer, D., Ostrov, E., and Howard, K. (1981a). The Offer Self-Image Questionnaire f o r A dolescelt{s: A Manual, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago. Offer, D., Ostrov, E., and Howard, K. (1981b). The Adolescent: A Psychological Self-Portrait, Basic Books, New York. Pedersen, F. A., and Sullivan, E. J. (1964). Relationship among geographic mobility, parental attitudes and emotional disturbances in children, Am. J. Orthopsychiat. 34: 575-580. Shaw, J. (1982). Geographic mobility and the military child. Milit. Med. 140(6): 416-440.
A Survey of Adolescent Military Family Members' Self-Image 1 Henry K. Watanabe 2 Received November 1, 1984; accepted April 26, 1985 The Offer Self-Image Questionnaire was administered to 135 adolescent military f a m i l y members, ages 13 through 18. The data suggest that the usual demands placed on the military f a m i l y do not deter the adolescent f r o m developing a healthy self-image.
INTRODUCTION The normal adolescent has remained an enigma for most adults. The relatively untroubled adolescent has been regarded as an anomaly, an unexpected pleasure, or a suspect of perhaps impending psychological disaster since turmoil has been considered normal to this stage (Blos, 1962; Freud, 1958). Offer (1969; Offer et al., 198Ib), during the past 20 years, has challenged the "storm and stress" view that adolescence is a time of turmoil. This study attempts to point up the relevance of Offer's studies to a military adolescent population. Studies in Military Communities Children in the military community experience the same general developmental and motivational processes as other children. They also experience a unique social and facilitating environment. O f the m a n y characterizations made o f the child o f military parents, generally, the remarks have been 'The contents herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center or the Department of Defense. 2Department of Psychiatry, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. Receivedhis M.D. from Tulane University. Research interests are adolescence and substance abuse. 99 (XI47.289118510400.0099504.5010© 1985 Plenum Publishing Corporation
100
Watanabe
negative-the military child suffers from too much or too little authority, or the father is absent too often so that his influence is limited. Also, the frequent moves and the lack of stability have been blamed for upsetting the child, who has been called a poor student, undisciplined, or a "military brat" (Kenny, 1967). The military child's reaction to the various stresses inherent in this unique setting has been the subject of many studies. Kenny (1967), in his study of 206 military children (ages 10-15) in Germany in 1963, noted that military children functioned better than their civilian counterparts; the former group had (1) a higher median intelligence quotient and a better school achievement record, (2) fewer emotionally disturbed children in the community, and (3) a lower incidence of juvenile delinquency. Darnauer (1976) focused on what it is like to be an adolescent in a career Army family. In 1970, he studied 60 military adolescent male dependents (ages 16-18) from a major West Coast Army post. His findings indicated that neither youths nor parents appeared to view adolescent life in the Army family as dissimilar from adolescent life in civilian communities. Studies of children in military families have consistently failed to find any predictable relationship between emotional and behavioral problems and the frequency of family moves (Shaw, 1982). Thus, studies of military children have, with some reservations, failed to reveal significant developmental difficulties in spite of the fact that the children are members of military families and as such are subject to certain unique requirements.
THE STUDY Objective of the Study
The objective of the study was to compare the self-image profile of military adolescents with established norms for the nonmilitary adolescents to determine whether the resultant profile would be indicative of psychological differences because he/she is a member of a military family. It was hypothesized that the psychological profile of the normal military adolescent is very similar to that of the nonmilitary adolescent (i.e., military adolescents basically are able to develop a healthy self-image in spite of the experience of having been reared in an environment in which options are determined by military necessities). Instrument
The Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ; Offer et al., 1981a) was considered best suited for such an investigation because it was originally
Military Adolescents' Self-Image
I01
designed and validated for use with adolescents and had the advantage of obviating observer bias by requiring self-ratings. The OSIQ measures 11 content areas believed to be important to the psychological life of an adolescent. Offer and associates felt that an assessment of each o f the I 1 areas was considered important, since adolescents who can master one aspect of their environment may fail to adjust in other areas. Reliability and validity of the OSIQ had been previously established (Offer et al., 1981a). This is the first report using the OSIQ with military adolescents.
Subject Population The military adolescent sample consisted o f military family members between the ages o f 13 and 18 who were seen in adolescent medicine clinics at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.; Andrew Rader Clinic, Ft. Myer, Virginia; and Dewitt Army Community Hospital, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. The subjects were routine ambulatory care adolescents in the Washington, D.C., area who approximated Offer's reference group.
Administration and Scoring of the OSIQ Each participant was asked to complete the 130-question OSIQ while in the clinic, after consent to participate was obtained and for the adolescents who were under the age of 18, parental consent was also obtained. A worksheet was maintained to record demographic data including the number of family moves; rank, status, branch of the service member; and other information that might prove useful in the final analyses. A coding scheme was devised to provide anonymity and confidentiality of the subject and responses. The final sample consisted of 135 subjects divided into four subgroups: young males from 13-15 years of age (N = 33), young females from 13-15 years o f age (N = 34), older males from 16-18 years of age (N = 35); and older females from 16-18 years of age (N = 33). Two-thirds of the sample group were from families in which the service member was on active duty, while the remaining one-third were from families where the service member had retired from military service. Eighty percent of the adolescents had moved four or more times since birth. In this sample, officer families made up 80%.
RESULTS The means and standard deviations for the military adolescent subgroups, together with their totals, are presented in Table I. The standard
(15) (15) (I 3) (14) (17) (13) (15) (14) (16) (15) (17)
53 (17)
54 50 50 55 54 50 52 54 52 48 52
(14) ~ (13) (12) (13) h (17) (12) (13) (12) (14) b (14) h (12) h
57 (12)
57 53 55 57 55 49 54 53 56 57 56
Older 16-18 (N = 35) (14) (14) (13) (14) (17) (12) (14) (13) (15) (15) (15)
55 (15)
56 52 53 56 55 49 53 53 54 52 54
Total (N = 68) (15) c (13) c (15) c (13) c (21) (17) (16) (15) c (15) c (16) c (17) ¢
62 (18)
57 58 62 59 54 46 53 60 58 59 59
Young Females 13-15 (N = 34) (12) c (19) (14) n (16) (17) (14) (14) (17) (14) c (16) (16) 57 (17)
59 53 56 53 55 49 51 54 57 54 58
Older Females 16-18 (N = 33)
Females
(14) (16) (15) (15) (19) (16) (15) (16) (14) (16) (17) 59 (17)
58 56 59 56 55 48 52 59 58 56 58
(14) (15) (14) (14) (18) (14) (14) (15) (15) (16) (16) 57 (16)
57 54 56 56 55 49 53 55 56 54 56
Total Total sample (N = 67) (N = 135)
"Standard deviations are given in parentheses. J'p < 0.05, when this score is compared to the standard score of 50 of the normal reference group of the same age and sex. "p < 0.01, when this score is compared to the standard score of 50 of the normal reference group of the same age and sex.
Impulse control Emotional tone Body/self-image Social relations Morals Sexual attitudes Family relations External mastery Vocational-educational goals Psychopathology Superior adjustment Sum of scales (total) excluding sexual attitudes
Scale
Young 13-15 (N = 33)
Males
Table 1. Mean Scores on OSIQ Scales for Adolescent Dependents of Military Families"
e~
g
Military Adolescents' Self-Image
103
scores on all scales are near 50, with the majority of the scores over 50, implying that the military adolescents did as well as, and in some cases even better than, the nonmilitary adolescents on each scale and in the total adjustment. An analysis of the individual "selves" reveals the following: 1. In the Psychological Self (Impulse Control, Emotional Tone, Body/Self-Image), the military adolescent scores were exceptional. The older males and younger and older females showed significantly greater impulse control (p < 0.01) than their nonmilitary counterparts. The younger females scored exceptionally higher in emotional tone (p < 0.01) as well. Both the younger and o|der females scored significantly higher on the body and selfimage scale (young females' p < 0.01, older females' p < 0.05). Overall, the body/self-image of the military adolescent was strongly positive, with females reporting a better image than males. 2. The Social Self (Social Relations, Morals, Vocational-Educational Goals) was exceptional when compared to the nonmilitary group. The older military maIes and younger military females scored higher than the comparative group in social relations (older males' p < 0.05, younger females' p < 0.01). On the vocational and educational scale, the older males, younger females, and older females scored significantly higher (older males' p < 0.05; younger and older females' p < 0.01) than the nonmilitary adolescent group. 3. The Sexual Self reports of the military adolescents tended to be conservative, as indicated by a total sample standard score of 49. 4. The scores of the Familial Self are comparable to the nonmilitary groups. This indicates that the military adolescent perceives his family as generally harmonious and well functioning. 5. The Coping Self (External Mastery, Psychopathology, Superior Adjustment) draws on the strengths o f the adolescent. The young females were again noted to score exceptionally well in this area. Scores of the older males were significant on psychopathology and the superior adjustment scales (p < 0.05), but the younger females scored significantly higher on all three scales of the Coping Self (p < 0.01) than did their nonmilitary counterparts. This finding indicates that the military adolescents were well-functioning adolescents who are able to deal adequately with their environment. The most striking finding in the analysis of the data of our military adolescent sample was the higher scoring of the younger females, whose scores were statistically significant at the p < 0.01 level on 8 of the 11 scales. Figures 1-4 display the standard score profiles on all 11 scales for each of the military adolescent subgroups. In our sample, the females scored better than the males.
104
Watanabe
PS-I
Impulse Control
(571
PS-Z
Emotional
(5~g (~Zt
Tone Body/Self Imacje
PS-3
SS-I Social Relations SS-Z Morals $5-3 Vocal. ~Educ. Gotls SxS
Sexual Attitudes
rS
Family Relations
(591 (541 (58~ 146) (53i
CS-I Mastery Ext. World CS-Z Psychol~holow CS-3 Superior Adjuslment l
|
?5
3O
_
i
(60) (59i (59|
I
i
!
35
4O
45
1 55
50
I 60
l 65
l 70
l 75
Standard Scores PS SS SxS FS CS
-
Psychological Self Social Sell Sexual Self Familial Self Coping Self
Fig. 1. Offer Self-lmage Questionnaire (OSIQ) standard score profile for young female military adolescents, ages 13-15 (N = 34).
PS-| Impulse Cortrol PS-2 Emotional To~e PS-3 Body/Self Irnage
I~) 1531 (561
SS-I Social Relations SS-Z Morals SS-3 Voc~.lEduc. Goals
i531 (SS) lSII
SxS
Sexual Attitudes
149) t
FS
Family Relations
(5[)
CS-I Mastery Ext. World CS-2 Psycho~holotjy CS-3 Superior Adjustment
f \
(MI (54) (58)
i
I
I
I
J
25
30
35
4O
45
l
50
55
I, 60
J 65
1 70
_1 75
Standard Scores PS - Psycho~ogEal Self SS - Social Sell SxS - Sexual Self FS - Familial Sell CS - Coping Self
Fig. 2. Offer Self-lmage Questionnaire (OSIQ) standard score profile for older female military adolescents, ages 16-18 (N = 33).
Military Adolescents' Self-Image
105 /
PS-I Impulc, e Control PS-2 Ernolional Tone PS-] B~y!Self Image
(54) 150) 1501
SS-I Social Relations SS-? Morals SS-3 Vocat. Educ. Goals
155~ (541 1521
SxS
Sexual Atlitudes
I ~,,,4)
1501
FS CS-I Mastery EXt. World CS-2 Psychopathology CS -3 Superior AdltJslmenl
(541 148) 152)
!
I
I
i
~
k~
30
35
4O
45
PS SS SxS FS CS
11 l
1
....
50 55 Standard Sc,')res
1
l
t
~0
65
1(1
__j
t~:
- Psychological Sell - Social Self - Sexual Self Far~lliel Self - Coping Self
Fig. 3. Offer Self-lmage Questionnaire (OSIQ) standard score profile for young male military adolescents, ages 13-15 (N = 33).
PS-I Impulse Control PS-2 EmaUonal Tone PS-3 Body/Self Image
1571 1531 (551
SS-] Social Relations SS-2 Morals SS-3 Vocal. fEduc. Goals
(55) (56l
SxS
Sexual Attitudes
1491 i
FS
family Relations
1541 (53l (57l 1561
CS-I Mastery Ext. World CS-2 Psychopathology CS-3 Superior Adjustment t~
1. . . . . . .
)0
,
]5
i
J
40
45
i
50
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Standard Scores PS SS SxS FS CS
- Psychological Self - Social Self • Sexual Serf - Familial Self - Coping Self
Fig. 4. OfferSelf-lmage Questionnaire (OSIQ) standard score profile for older male military adolescents, ages 16-18 (N = 35).
106
Watanabe
DISCUSSION When the total scores are examined, the findings tend to confirm the original hypothesis of this study--the psychological profile of the military adolescent is very similar to that of the nonmilitary adolescent. Actually, in three of the military subgroups (older males, young females, and older females), the scores exceed those of the reference group. The results of the study suggest that the self-image of the military adolescent is as good as that of the nonmilitary adolescent and in some areas, the military youngsters exceed the established norms of their nonmilitary counterparts. This indicates that the military adolescent is able to develop a healthy self-image, even with the experience of having to grow up in an environment where frequent adjustments must be made because of military necessities and demands. The frequency of moves and other military experiences do not seem to deter the military adolescent from developing a healthy self-image. Considering the opportunities and experiences, as well as the supportive network in the military, the adolescents seem to be able to gain something. When one views adolescence as a critical period for seeing the impact of community type on self-image, the military community and sociocultural milieu seem to impact in a favorable manner on the military adolescent dependent. In this study, two findings were considered significant and worthy of comment. First, in the area of impulse control, the military adolescent group exceeded their nonmilitary counterparts. This is considered to reflect the attitude toward discipline in the military. Second, the military adolescents scored well on the vocational and educational goals scale. This may be a reflection of the value placed on education by their parents, since advancements, duty classifications, and assignments in the military are highly dependent on one's level of training and education. It must also be recognized that the military is a select community whose members have been screened intellectually and emotionally. This selection process could very well account for the superior showing of the military adolescents compared to their nonmilitary counterparts. Furthermore, the military adolescents are considered to reflect and share more closely their parents' value systems, attitudes, pride, and accomplishments. As indicated by Pedersen and Sullivan (1964) in comparing normal and emotionally disturbed military children, "mothers of normal children appeared significantly more accepting of frequent relocation, and both mothers and fathers of normal children showed a stronger identification with the military community." The basic parent-child relatinship impacts significantly in the development of a healthy self-image. Gabower (1960), in her studies of children in
Military Adolescents' Self-Image
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Navy families, suggested that the environmental and social situations that a child experienced were considered only superficial to the parent-child relationship. Our study tends to deemphasize the military environment and lifestyle as a negative experience on the child. In evaluating this study, it is recognized that the sampling of the subjects might have been biased by the selection of adolescents who came to the adolescent medicine clinics at military facilities. The population selected may be biased toward health and well-being, since a majority of the youngsters had come for school and/or sports physicals. It is also recognized that the subjects were largely from officer families. Drawing upon a school population as Offer had done would have been more ideal in seeking out a comparative group. Such a research study in the future to further validate our findings is being planned.
REFERENCES Btos, P. (1962). On Adolescence. Free Press, New York. Darnauer, P. F. (1976). The adolescent experience in career army families. In McCubbin, H., Dahl, B., and Hunter, E. (eds.), Families in the Mililary System, Sage, Beverly Hills, Calif., pp. 42-66. Freud, A. (1958). Adolescence. Psychoanal. Stud. Child 16: 255-278. Gabower, G. (1960). Behavior problems of children in Navy officer families. Soc. Casework 41: 177-184. Kenny, J. A. (1967). The child in the military community. J. Am. Acad. Child Psychiaz. 6:51-63. Offer, D. (1969). The Psychological World o f the Teenager, Basic Books, New York. Offer, D., Ostrov, E., and Howard, K. (1981a). The Offer Self-Image Questionnaire f o r A dolescelt{s: A Manual, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago. Offer, D., Ostrov, E., and Howard, K. (1981b). The Adolescent: A Psychological Self-Portrait, Basic Books, New York. Pedersen, F. A., and Sullivan, E. J. (1964). Relationship among geographic mobility, parental attitudes and emotional disturbances in children, Am. J. Orthopsychiat. 34: 575-580. Shaw, J. (1982). Geographic mobility and the military child. Milit. Med. 140(6): 416-440.
