Resilience in military families has been studied for decades. A twelve-year review (ending in 2021) of clinical work with military families identified spirituality, support networks, resourcefulness, prior preparation efforts, flexibility, and core family relationships as key resilience factors for military families. Although these factors are all important, one factor is being seen more than others. A more recent review (years 2022 through 2023) indicates that spirituality is the key resilience factor for a successful overseas transition. The history and definition of resilience in the military, key resilience factors, spirituality as the primary resilience factor, and implementation of spirituality practices across the military culture are the key areas explored in this presentation. Applications related to other cultures are also made.
This program will review the history of resiliency in the military and identify the key factors in overseas relocation. Participants will learn about the role of spirituality as a resilience factor and methods of application in the counseling session when working with military families transition overseas or when working with clients of other cultures.