Afghan war takes emotional toll on soldiers' children

More responsibility; Teens worry parent won't return or will return 'different'

March 25, 2011 - A new study is highlighting the emotional toll that Canada's war in Afghanistan has been taking on the children of soldiers.

A University of New Brunswickled effort interviewed students who recently had a parent serving in the Canadian mission to Afghanistan and found they worried the parent "would either not return home or would return home 'different.' "

The 2008 survey was focused on students at Oromocto High School in New Brunswick, located near Canadian Forces Base Gagetown - one of Canada's largest military bases.

Children of parents who had served in Afghanistan admitted to taking on increased responsibility for the emotional health of the parent and younger siblings at home during the deployment. Teens also said they struggled with feelings of isolation while struggling with their own emotions if the parent remaining at home was stressed or preoccupied by the deployment.

Researchers found that there was little relief for teens whose parents returned from their mission suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. {continued}