During the period from 2020 to 2023, the Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS) conducted the first major study on health and everyday life in the families of Norwegian veterans. That is, families in which one or both parents have participated in the Norwegian armed forces’ international operations. International research shows that families such as these may experience significant stress.
The Norwegian armed forces have a statutory duty of care towards veterans and their families. Research-based knowledge is important for strengthening the care provided to families of veterans and is also relevant when it comes to the Norwegian armed forces’ family and HR policies in general. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that civilian services and institutions have access to research-based knowledge relating to families of veterans. This is particularly important when it comes to safeguarding children in the best possible manner. Schools and health services that encounter the children of veterans require adequate knowledge regarding the possible needs of the children in order to ensure appropriate adaptations, follow-up and safeguarding.
Follow-up on families of veterans is an interdisciplinary responsibility that is carried out by the Norwegian armed forces and civilian institutions. This project was commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Family Affairs and the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Social Care. This report examines the following issues:
- How do veterans and their families perceive their own health and quality of life in light of their participation in international operations
- What conditions set the framework for the families’ everyday life in connection with deployments?
- How can veterans and their families best be followed up in connection with participation in international operations?
Method and selection
This report uses qualitative methods to shed light on the issues. The goal is not to arrive at representative data but to gain a deeper understanding of the complex experiences of families of veterans – for better or worse.
Furthermore, we aim to highlight the variation and different experiences of the families of veterans and individual family members. Our work has been based on a broad understanding of health and quality of life and we emphasise the subjective assessments of the participants.
The sample selection for the study was recruited from among veterans who participated in international operations during the 2012–2019 period and that had children aged 12–17 years at the time of the interviews being conducted.
79 respondents from 37 families participated in qualitative interviews: 33 veterans, 23 partners, 18 children and 5 friends of veterans. All branches of the Norwegian armed forces are represented in the data material, as well as veterans that are now working in the civilian sector. Some of these veterans have been recruited to serve in one or more international operations while employed in the civilian sector, while others have since left the Norwegian armed forces. The veterans were deployed as part of their own unit, together with other units, as staff officers or as UN observers. The data materials cover a broad range of experiences from various parts of the Norwegian armed forces and various international operations.
The interviews varied in duration from less than one hour to more than three hours. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using the qualitative analysis tool NVivo 12, which makes it possible to identify and systematise patterns across the interviews.
Results
Great variation in perception
There is great variation in the perception and experiences of the 37 families who participated in the study. Some of the families have fared extremely well and do not feel that they have experienced any notable negative repercussions from the deployments. Some of the participants even noted that their experiences have been mostly positive and several said that they wanted to participate in the study in order to help present a more positive image.
Nevertheless, other families have experienced major, lasting stress and harmful effects and say that they would not make the same choices again. Some of the respondents have left the Norwegian armed forces as a result of the stress. Still others talk of a mixed bag – having had both positive and negative experiences. Some of the experiences have been worth it, others have not. The family members in a single family may also have very different perceptions and emotions associated with international operations.However, one recurring theme was that both the veterans and their partners felt that international operations are harder for those who remain at home and that it is important to provide support to families before, during and after deployment. At the same time, several of the families felt that the welfare initiatives in the Norwegian armed forces were being scaled down. This is having both a practical and symbolic effect and negatively affects the perception of the families’ stress being acknowledged and understood.Several of the partners in the study have made major adjustments to their own work situation, such as reducing their hours or changing profession, in order to ensure that the veteran was able to do their job. They are also left with the sole responsibility for the home and children during these periods and many of them will deprioritise their own needs in order to find the time.
Different outcomes relating to health and quality of life for individual family members
Several of the veterans felt that their participation in international operations has contributed to better health on their part, while their partners felt that their own health has deteriorated. One important starting point here is the fact that veterans are generally fitter than the average general population. Veterans talk about how the meaning, mastery, exercise and community associated with operations have made them stronger. Their partners often talk about the opposite: little time to look after themselves, e.g. through exercise, little time for friends and relaxation, general stress and for some, serious worries for the person who has been deployed. When it comes to the children, the picture is complex and they may have several different perceptions. However, there are some recurring themes, such as missing, worrying about and feeling proud of the deployed parent.
Children’s need for information and help to understand
The children in the families say that they have a great need to prepare and receive information and help to understand what is happening before, during and after international operations. Although the children may say that they are perfectly fine with the international operations, there may be periods in which they are extremely worried and do not share their concerns with anyone. This could be both because they want to be independent and cope on their own but also to protect the parent at home, as they know they are shouldering a lot.
Depending on their age, the children will have different needs in relation toexplanations and care when one of their parents leave for an international operation. The youngest children need help to create a comprehensive story about the deployment that can help them understand and cope with the deployment, as well as feeling safe and connected. For them, it might be most important to understand enough to feel safe in the knowledge that the deployed parent is OK and to receive concrete “evidence” showing that the soldier is as safe as possible. Several of the children included in the sample selection said that key stage one (6–9 years of age) was the period in which they experienced the most worry and anxiety and that this resulted in separation anxiety and sleeping difficulties for some of them. The older children are able to understand more but they also see more of what is covered in the news. Adolescents therefore also need to prepare and have the opportunity to talk about what will be happening and raise any questions they might have. Several of the adolescents also noted the importance of talking to peers with similar experiences.The Norwegian armed forces’ Veterans’ Centre at Bæreia and the camp programme “Min tur ut” were highlighted as one such venue by both children and parents. Here, adolescents can find someone to talk to, spend time with other adolescents who they may share experiences with, while also understanding exactly how each other feel. Being able to meet other adolescents meant that they did not feel alone and different due to their experiences, which could be difficult to explain to other young people who had not had similar experiences.
The span between major coping opportunities and major stress
A large proportion of the respondents in the study wanted to highlight the fact that the international operations had been a positive factor in their lives. This resulted in a great sense of coping and meaning, as well as unique insights into major political and international issues. This was true for several family members, not only the veteran. Partners may experience extensive coping in the form of a challenging everyday life and several of them also said that it was very important to them that the veteran had the opportunity to do something important and meaningful. Children might feel that they are coping better and that they are more independent than their peers. For many, the outcomes relating to health and quality of life may therefore be more a case of “a bit of both” rather than “either/or”.
The balance between stress and resources
Families of veterans may find themselves in situations that entail significant high levels of stress. It can be extremely stressful for families to experience fear that the person who has been deployed will be injured or killed, as well as to experience unpredictability and a lack of control and in some cases also a lack of information and limited contact opportunities. The higher the level of stress, the greater the resources the families will need to ensure that they do not become overloaded and end up with negative health consequences.
Access to resources can contribute to increased resilience and ability to manage stress. There are four main areas of resources that can help alleviate the effect of the stress experienced by families:
- practical resources and help with everyday matters at home while the veteran is away
- strategies, plans, communication and expectations within the family
- shared or unified understanding of the operations and the consequences for family life will provide meaning and
- belonging, support and understanding from the community.
These resources entail both things the families will do themselves and the external support they require. Support from social networks in the form of family, friends and especially other families associated with the armed forces who have similar experiences has been highlighted as crucial by several of the respondents. Similarly, we find that families with less supportive networks appear more vulnerable to negative consequences. For these families, support and interventions from the Norwegian armed forces and the civilian support system will be especially important.
Although the majority are doing well, international operations may entail major stress for families. Several families in the sample selection have suffered negative consequences from the veteran’s international service, including prolonged and serious consequences for health, well-being and relationships. For many, this has entailed major stress and specific factors relating to individual operations, while others have experienced excessive levels of stress over time without necessarily being able to point to specific events. High stress levels on the part of the person left at home, an unpredictable everyday life and a perception of limited agency over their own lives are recurring themes for the families who spoke about major issues.
The stress level is more important than the source of stress
It is not always possible to isolate the effect of international operations when it comes to the families’ subjective perception of health and quality of life. Stress associated with international operations may come in addition to other challenging factors linked to working for the Norwegian armed forces, such as commuting, unpredictability and absence from home. If there are also other events that are challenging for the families, such as illness, relationship difficulties, bullying and so on, the family may come under great pressure from several sides at once. They need access to resources to compensate for or alleviate the effect of the stress they experience. Families of veterans experience the same life events as other families, but the Norwegian armed forces impose restrictions on family life to a much greater extent than most other employers. For individuals employed in positions with the Norwegian armed forces that necessitate high levels of absence and unpredictability, which can also cause concerns on the part of the family, this will also affect the consequences that regular life events can have for families and the opportunities they have when it comes to handling such life events.
One fundamental assumption when working with families of veterans may be that psychological stress on the part of the family will first and foremost be linked to the degree of danger and risk of injury or loss of life associated with the operations. Our materials provide some nuance with regard to this situation. In situations in which the partner at home experiences high levels of stress in particular, another existential fear may also come into play – namely the fear of being unable to look after the family and the fear of the children suffering as a result of the way in which the family lives. There is therefore a complex interaction between the different stresses and concerns that may threaten the family. From a family perspective, the most important thing is whether the family and the way it functions is under any threat – not where such a threat may originate from. The level of stress is more important than the source of stress. High levels of stress on the part of the partner at home may have equally as great consequences for the family as the veteran’s repercussions. Both can arise as a result of the same thing, i.e. Norway deploying forces to participate in international operations. At the same time, several of the respondents said that there has been less focus on such effects on the part of the person responsible at home when preparing for international operations. Several partners felt that it was mostly about how they could help and support the veteran when they returned home, i.e. by learning how to recognise the signs of traumatic stress on the part of veterans. It was less about how they could look after themselves or what could be early signs of high levels of stress on their part.
Excellent support and initiatives
Many respondents, both children and adults, were positive when it comes to the initiatives organised by Bæreia Veterans’ Centre, especially the “Min tur ut” camp. Both veterans and partners also speak highly of Modum bad’s relationship course, which has been adapted for couples in which one or both partners work for the Norwegian armed forces (PREP course). The events organised by the Norwegian Veterans’ Association for International Operations, especially the family days, were also mentioned as positive initiatives by children and adults. These events can help make it easier for children and partners to understand more about the community and environment the veteran is a part of.
Many respondents highlight family initiatives, welfare benefits and being treated in a helpful and flexible manner by the Norwegian armed forces as crucial both for the family at home and for the family member who is deployed. This could also be a decisive factor in the soldier’s decision on whether to stay with the Norwegian armed forces or leave. Some of the older veterans in the sample selection have participated in operations dating quite some way back in time and they say that the follow-up they receive today is completely different to what they had access to previously.
Support that misses the mark when it counts
Although many of the families in our study are satisfied with the follow-up and initiatives they have experienced, both from the civilian support system and from the Norwegian armed forces, some have had different experiences. This is especially true for families in which a child or adult in the family has experienced reactions that have had a negative impact on their everyday life.
For example, in families in which children have experienced strong reactions or bullying, several respondents felt they did not receive the support and measures they needed. Among the families who needed it the most, several felt it could be difficult to find more support when the need arises. This is the case for both civilian initiatives and those from the Norwegian armed forces.One exception in our sample selection is families who have been part of the Special Forces. Many of these families felt that they had access to both preventive initiatives and support when something happened. On the whole, the perception is different for families in which the difficulties entail a need for more adaptations and follow-up. Many of the veterans are generally satisfied with the follow-up they received from the Norwegian armed forces, but it is clear that they are not talking about standardised follow-up. A single family may perceive the Norwegian armed forces’ follow-up (one-year programme) differently depending on who the veteran was deployed with and the role the veteran had when deployed. In particular, there may be differences when the veteran who is deployed is a specialist or is deployed to support another unit. Specialists often come from across the entire country and experience greater stress in the form of the high number of deployments. At the same time, they also say that they feel that they are “missing out” on many of the initiatives provided by the Norwegian armed forces due to geographical location. This means that some of the soldiers and families who experience the greatest stress and require more support receive less care than others who may have experienced less stress.This blind spot could also be relevant for families in which the soldier commutes and the family lives far away from the soldier’s base unit. There is a trend of increased commuting among armed forces employees. Families that do not live in areas with a high presence of armed forces activities may not have the opportunity to develop social networks with others who are in similar situations to them. For this reason, it may be necessary to rethink how we look after these families and ensure they experience a sense of belonging, as well as how the Norwegian armed forces can implement successful initiatives and provide support as necessary.
Expertise at civilian institutions
It is important to develop expertise at the civilian institutions that come into contact with families of veterans. Some of the respondents said that they had encountered a lack of understanding and knowledge and that they ended up having to educate those at the civilian institutions (schools, health services, etc.). When services have limited knowledge of the challenges and opportunities available to families of veterans, it becomes difficult to ensure positive encounters. Some have also encountered negative prejudice, which has posed an obstacle to obtaining they help they needed.
A recurring theme when it comes to external parties’ perception of families of veterans is a focus on illness and problems. Some said that they felt that, as couples and parents, they were less equal than what is now the norm in large parts of Norwegian society. Some of the children also said that they had faced difficult questions or confrontation from their peers at school, such as whether their father had killed anyone. These are major questions for children to deal with on their own and they may need help and support from adults other than those in their immediate family.
Conclusion
This study shows that there is great variation in the perceptions and experiences of veteran families. Some families report good coping abilities. However, the potentially very high stress levels linked to international operations could also lead to major negative consequences resulting in health problems and difficult family relationships. This means that a proactive approach and solid follow-up will be necessary. This study shows that families go to great lengths and sacrifice a lot to enable veterans to participate in international operations.
Maintaining normal everyday life when veterans are deployed is something that places particularly high demands on the person who remains at home. At the same time, several respondents also said that this is the best way for them to create a sense of security for their children. There is a lot at stake and this could affect the health of the person who carries the burden at home.The great variation in our materials shows that the concept of veterans is not enough to unify all veterans in a single category of experiences. Some families of veterans say that there are other aspects associated with working for the Norwegian armed forces that they consider more stressful than the part of the service defined as international operations. This points to some complicated aspects associated with the concept of veterans as a unifying term. On the one hand, those defined by the concept may have highly differing experiences and needs. On the other hand, there may be other personnel with similar experiences and stress to veterans but that are not included in the veteran category and do not have the same rights in relation to follow-up and acknowledgement.