Intergenerational Transmission of Psychological and Behavioral Difficulties Among United States Air Force Parents and Their Offspring

The intergenerational transmission of psychological and behavioral difficulties (ITPBD) has been of research interest in the social sciences. Compared to non-military population research, ITPBD within military families has been studied to a far lesser degree. A systematic review of the relevant literature limited to veteran and military populations revealed that ITPBD does occur. However, most of the literature focused on non-active veteran samples and post-traumatic stress disorder. To better understand ITPBD among currently serving military families, this researcher utilized secondary data of United States Air Force (USAF) members and their offspring. A structural equation model (SEM) analysis resulted in a path coefficient estimate for the relationship between female parent difficulties and offspring difficulties of .232 with a standard error of .009, a critical ratio of 25.106, and a p < .001. The resultant standardized path coefficient estimate for the relationship was .472. The path coefficient estimate for the relationship between male parent difficulties and offspring difficulties was .226 with a standard error of .005, a critical ratio of 49.656, and a p < .001. The standardized path coefficient estimate for the relationship was .542. These results indicated a direct and positive path from the latent construct of parent difficulties to the latent construct of offspring difficulties. To better understand whether parental gender impacted this relationship, a second SEM analysis was conducted using the same secondary data. The analysis resulted in a path coefficient estimate for the relationship between parent difficulties and offspring difficulties of .227 with a standard error of .004, a critical ratio of 55.631, and a p < .001. A Chi-square difference test suggested this path coefficient was the same for male and female respondents, indicating that parental gender did not impact the relationship between parent difficulties and offspring difficulties. Future research should identify whether particular USAF sup-groups experience a greater degree of ITPBD to aid in targeted outreach and intervention services, as well as potential policy change