Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Kinesiology and Physical Education

Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

First Advisor

Dr. Jill Tracey

Advisor Role

Supervisor

Abstract

Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) families are a population who provide relentless and unwavering support to their associated members and face a multitude of role-specific challenges and experiences. This dissertation aimed to provide a holistic understanding of the types of support existing for CAF families, specifically as they pertain to the use and application of mental skills, and to uncover the needs and desires of these families from various perspectives. Additionally, the purpose of this research was to highlight and address any differences in perspectives between what is currently being sought out by families and what is being actioned by policy makers and stakeholders. The data for this research was collected through four separate studies: a scoping review to understand the current breadth of research; a mixed methods survey and focus group study with CAF families to address their understanding, needs, and desires; an interview study with professionals working with CAF families to gather insight into the present workings and difficulties of the system; and an interview study with individuals working within the areas of resource and program development and implementation to understand their perspective and challenges of providing support. Overall, this dissertation identified key areas of difficulty for CAF families stemming from their experiences with relocations, deployments, and transitions. CAF families are faced with unique challenges because of their roles within the CAF environment and are not always best equipped to handle these challenges. Mental skills were recognized by all participants as a fruitful potential avenue for providing support to CAF families, indicating the importance of these skills for preparatory purposes as opposed to only applying them in response to a specific challenge or issue. The findings of this work identify the need for continued, or initial, evaluation of current support offerings for CAF families and the implementation of evidence-based research for the future design and application of resources and programs within this context. Current programming appears to be catering to some of this population’s specific needs, but there is still work to be done to address all of the challenges of CAF families, all while navigating the complexities of working within an institution governed by many rules and regulations that must be adhered to. This dissertation offers suggestion for policymakers to improve the support of a group claimed to be invaluable within the CAF.

Convocation Year

2024

Convocation Season

Fall

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Available for download on Thursday, August 19, 2027

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