When Military Families Abroad Witness or Experience Traumatic Events
Sahana Kanabar and Tanya Crossman
TCK Training’s 2021 survey on childhood trauma in globally mobile Third Culture Kids collected data from 1,904 Adult Third Culture Kids who experienced global mobility. While the initial data analysis focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (published in our white papers Caution and Hope and TCKs at Risk) our latest white paper Sources of Trauma in International Childhoods: Providing Individualized Support to Increase Positive Outcomes for Higher Risk Families looks at potentially traumatic experiences occurring in the community. This article is part of a series of blog posts that looks a little deeper at certain sub-groups represented in the data.
When Military Families Abroad Witness or Experience Traumatic Events
Part of TCK Training’s research on the well-being of Third Culture Kids (TCKs) looked at potential sources of trauma which might impact children. 269 military TCKs took part in our 2021 survey. We learned some harsh realities through this research, such as that 2 out of 5 military TCKs were impacted by war or unrest, 13% witnessed a traumatic death, and 1 in 3 witnessed a serious traffic accident. Exposure to various types of potentially traumatic events were also associated with higher ACE scores.
In this blog post, we go through data from our white paper Sources of Trauma in International Childhoods: Providing Individualized Support to Increase Positive Outcomes for Higher Risk Families that applies specifically to military kids who lived abroad during childhood (TCKs). We hope to see this research used to support the well-being of military TCKs globally – before, during, and after their time abroad.
In this blog post, we go through data from our white paper Sources of Trauma in International Childhoods: Providing Individualized Support to Increase Positive Outcomes for Higher Risk Families that applies specifically to military kids who lived abroad during childhood (TCKs). We hope to see this research used to support the well-being of military TCKs globally – before, during, and after their time abroad.
While not all military kids are also Third Culture Kids (TCKs), there are many who are. In fact, our 2021 survey of globally mobile TCKs included a significant group of military kids (14% of the total sample). The military kid population is one that we have often heard feels left out when looking at the Third Culture Kid (TCK) demographic. Though many lived abroad during their developmental years, we have heard sentiments such as, “but we lived on base overseas so we basically just lived in a little America.” While there may be some truth to this, our research shows that many risk factors that we’ve seen in the TCK population can also be applied to the military kid population - especially for those who experience many relocations.

What is a traumatic event?
‘Trauma’ describes an event that produces harm for an individual with lasting effects. ‘Big T’ trauma describes life-threatening situations including violence and disaster. ‘Little t’ trauma does not necessarily involve physical harm, but describes situations that create mental and emotional distress. All types of trauma negatively impact mental and physical health throughout life, increase risk-taking behaviors and suicidal ideation, and harm relationships. Traumatic childhood experiences that go unrecognized and unprocessed can cause these problems later in life.
In this blog post, we discuss three categories of potentially traumatic events. These are events likely to cause either a ‘Big T’ or ‘little t’ trauma impact on the individual. In the “Sources of Trauma” white paper we discuss a research framework behind why such events can be traumatic, and how they can impact young people long term.
In this blog post, we discuss three categories of potentially traumatic events. These are events likely to cause either a ‘Big T’ or ‘little t’ trauma impact on the individual. In the “Sources of Trauma” white paper we discuss a research framework behind why such events can be traumatic, and how they can impact young people long term.
- Small-scale events: localized to the household or local community
- Large-scale events: affect a wide area or large community as well as having personal impact
- Witnessed events: when an individual sees something without necessarily being personally involved
Small Scale Events

Medical Events
Multiple studies have connected serious medical issues, including chronic illness, with negative impacts on the patient’s family. Importantly, these stressors can impact the family’s long term emotional health. We asked about three categories of medical trauma: (1) medical crisis; (2) prolonged illness; and (3) death.
2 in 5 military TCKs (42%) experienced a household medical event during their childhood. There was only a small increase in high-risk ACE scores for military TCKs with this experience (29% vs 25%).
Medical crises affected one third of military families (34%). Military kids who reported a household medical crisis were slightly more likely to have a high-risk ACE score than military kids overall (29% compared to 25%). 1 in 4 military kids (26%) reported prolonged illness in their household; 45% of those had a high-risk ACE score. Medical trauma impacts not only the individual but the family as a whole. TCKs with these experiences were more likely to also report experiencing emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and household adult mental illness.
A small number of military TCKs (5%) reported that a member of their household died while they were a child. This was associated with a modest rise in high-risk ACE scores (29% compared to 25%). 3% of military TCKs reported the death of a non-residential caregiver. While this was a small sample, the ACE risk more than doubled for military TCKs with this experience (57% compared to 25%).
Multiple studies have connected serious medical issues, including chronic illness, with negative impacts on the patient’s family. Importantly, these stressors can impact the family’s long term emotional health. We asked about three categories of medical trauma: (1) medical crisis; (2) prolonged illness; and (3) death.
2 in 5 military TCKs (42%) experienced a household medical event during their childhood. There was only a small increase in high-risk ACE scores for military TCKs with this experience (29% vs 25%).
Medical crises affected one third of military families (34%). Military kids who reported a household medical crisis were slightly more likely to have a high-risk ACE score than military kids overall (29% compared to 25%). 1 in 4 military kids (26%) reported prolonged illness in their household; 45% of those had a high-risk ACE score. Medical trauma impacts not only the individual but the family as a whole. TCKs with these experiences were more likely to also report experiencing emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and household adult mental illness.
A small number of military TCKs (5%) reported that a member of their household died while they were a child. This was associated with a modest rise in high-risk ACE scores (29% compared to 25%). 3% of military TCKs reported the death of a non-residential caregiver. While this was a small sample, the ACE risk more than doubled for military TCKs with this experience (57% compared to 25%).

Violent Events
When violence is part of a family’s lived experience, it affects each family member. Our research illustrates how this experience increases the rates of ACEs like physical abuse, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and mental illness of adults living in the home (such as parents).
When violence is part of a family’s lived experience, it affects each family member. Our research illustrates how this experience increases the rates of ACEs like physical abuse, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and mental illness of adults living in the home (such as parents).
Parents need to be educated on how to manage their stress, how to identify when the stress has reached a level where it’s negatively affecting their families, and what to do when that happens.
Violence can occur in many forms, and exposure to violence at a young age is known to impact development. (More information on this research can be found in the Sources of Trauma white paper). The types of violence asked about included:
- a household member suffering violent harm
- a home invasion/break-in (while the person was home, or while they were away)
- a violent incident occurring at their school while they were present
- a violent incident occurring at another place while they were presenta violent incident occurring in a place they regularly went to while they were not present.
1 in 4 military TCKs surveyed (28%) reported experiencing one of these violent events in their childhood. While this number was still quite high, it was the lowest rate among the different sectors, which suggests that military TCKs live in relatively safe communities due to high-levels of security. Few military TCKs had experienced a home invasion (8%). 1 in 8 military TCKs (13%) reported that a member of their household suffered violent harm; 34% of those military TCKs had a high-risk ACE score, compared to 25% of military TCKs overall.
The survey asked TCKs if they had been present during a violent incident (i.e. armed robbery) at their school or somewhere else in their community, or if such an event happened at a place they regularly went while they were not there. Military TCKs were almost equally likely to report a violent incident occurring in their absence (8%) than when they were present (7%). Violent incidents corresponded with an increase in ACE risk, with a much higher risk for military TCKs who were present during a violent incident than those who were not (43% and 33% respectively).

Overall Impact
‘Small-scale’ events that affect TCKs directly in their homes and communities are not small in impact. They have an effect on ACE scores, and create conditions of stress for TCKs and their families. This emphasizes that trauma occurring at any scale can have a significant impact on well-being.
In addition to the small-scale events already mentioned, 1 in 5 military TCKs (20%) reported additional experiences of intense grief or fear. This also comes with a significantly elevated ACE risk (41% compared to 25% in military TCKs overall).
‘Small-scale’ events that affect TCKs directly in their homes and communities are not small in impact. They have an effect on ACE scores, and create conditions of stress for TCKs and their families. This emphasizes that trauma occurring at any scale can have a significant impact on well-being.
In addition to the small-scale events already mentioned, 1 in 5 military TCKs (20%) reported additional experiences of intense grief or fear. This also comes with a significantly elevated ACE risk (41% compared to 25% in military TCKs overall).
Having a supporting adult to turn to during difficult times helps reset stress activation in children, and lacking that support leads to toxic continuous stress. Thus the presence of supportive adults is crucial for children living in stressful (or potentially stressful) situations.
64% of military TCKs experienced at least one of these potential sources of trauma. On the other hand, when military TCKs reported that they had none of these potentially traumatic experiences, only 15% had a high-risk ACE score. This is significantly lower than military TCKs overall (25%), and only slightly higher than the ACE risk seen in the largest ever survey of ACEs (12.5% in the CDC-Kaiser study of 17,000 Americans).

Large Scale Events

Political Disruption
1 in 4 military TCKs (25%) experienced a type of political disruption during their time abroad, the lowest rate among all sectors. While TCKs may consider political violence/corruption minor and thus hardly worth mentioning due to their high frequency (and therefore normalization), this environment contributes to a child’s perception of safety and who can be trusted in the world around them.
1 in 4 military TCKs (25%) experienced a type of political disruption during their time abroad, the lowest rate among all sectors. While TCKs may consider political violence/corruption minor and thus hardly worth mentioning due to their high frequency (and therefore normalization), this environment contributes to a child’s perception of safety and who can be trusted in the world around them.
War/Unrest
2 out of every 5 military TCKs (42%) reported being impacted by or exposed to war and/or unrest – the highest rate among all sectors. This may be explained by the choice of location where military families are deployed. This experience had no effect on overall ACE scores for military TCKs.
Natural Disasters
1 in 6 military TCKs (15%) experienced a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or tsunami. Natural disasters had a larger effect on child maltreatment rates compared to political disruption and war, particularly when it came to emotional abuse and neglect. One third of military kids (33%) that reported experiencing a natural disaster had a high-risk ACE score.
Evacuation
Natural Disasters
1 in 6 military TCKs (15%) experienced a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or tsunami. Natural disasters had a larger effect on child maltreatment rates compared to political disruption and war, particularly when it came to emotional abuse and neglect. One third of military kids (33%) that reported experiencing a natural disaster had a high-risk ACE score.
Evacuation
Evacuation can occur due to any large-scale event, or even small-scale events such as medical emergencies/illness. Only 5% of military TCKs reported experiencing an evacuation, lower than seen in any other sector.

Overall Impact
One quarter of military TCKs (23%) reported experiencing a large-scale potentially traumatic event. Military TCKs who did not experience any of these large-scale events actually had a slightly higher rate of high-risk ACE scores than military TCKs overall (28% vs 25%).
Witnessed Events


Extreme Poverty
27% of military TCKs reported they had witnessed extreme poverty at least once, and 12% said they witnessed this regularly. This was the lowest rate seen in any sector. Military TCKs who witnessed extreme poverty actually had lower than average ACE scores (23% and 18% respectively).
While witnessing poverty was not correlated with increased ACE risk, it is still worth acknowledging. This is a form of 'moral injury', defined by Foreign Policy as "perpetrating, failing to prevent, bearing witness to, or learning about acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations". Children taught that all people are equal, and to treat others with respect and kindness, may struggle to integrate these messages with their lived reality of witnessing people living in extreme poverty.
27% of military TCKs reported they had witnessed extreme poverty at least once, and 12% said they witnessed this regularly. This was the lowest rate seen in any sector. Military TCKs who witnessed extreme poverty actually had lower than average ACE scores (23% and 18% respectively).
While witnessing poverty was not correlated with increased ACE risk, it is still worth acknowledging. This is a form of 'moral injury', defined by Foreign Policy as "perpetrating, failing to prevent, bearing witness to, or learning about acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations". Children taught that all people are equal, and to treat others with respect and kindness, may struggle to integrate these messages with their lived reality of witnessing people living in extreme poverty.
Serious Traffic Accidents
On the surface, traffic accidents may not seem detrimental. Witnessing any serious traffic accident, however, is likely to cause an adrenal reaction as the body attempts to deal with a stressful situation. We have heard many stories from Adult TCKs who suffered mentally and emotionally from witnessing major injuries and even deaths due to traffic accidents as children. 1 in 3 military TCKs (29%) had witnessed at least one serious traffic accident, while 4% witnessed them regularly. Witnessing serious traffic accidents was associated with higher rates of high-risk ACE scores. 55% of military TCKs who regularly witnessed serious traffic accidents, and 40% of those who witnessed them at least once had high-risk ACE scores.
On the surface, traffic accidents may not seem detrimental. Witnessing any serious traffic accident, however, is likely to cause an adrenal reaction as the body attempts to deal with a stressful situation. We have heard many stories from Adult TCKs who suffered mentally and emotionally from witnessing major injuries and even deaths due to traffic accidents as children. 1 in 3 military TCKs (29%) had witnessed at least one serious traffic accident, while 4% witnessed them regularly. Witnessing serious traffic accidents was associated with higher rates of high-risk ACE scores. 55% of military TCKs who regularly witnessed serious traffic accidents, and 40% of those who witnessed them at least once had high-risk ACE scores.
It’s important to understand that witnessing an incident that results in death or a life-changing injury – or even the potential for those things – can also lead to PTSD. A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics also showed that not only were child victims of road incidents at risk, but their parents too – even if they’d not directly been involved in the incident. 25% of the children in the study and 15% of the parents suffered diagnostic PTSD. It’s easy to see why road incidents are thought to be one of the leading causes of PTSD in the general population.
It’s important to understand that witnessing an incident that results in death or a life-changing injury – or even the potential for those things – can also lead to PTSD. A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics also showed that not only were child victims of road incidents at risk, but their parents too – even if they’d not directly been involved in the incident. 25% of the children in the study and 15% of the parents suffered diagnostic PTSD. It’s easy to see why road incidents are thought to be one of the leading causes of PTSD in the general population.


Violence
The category of witnessed violence combines armed conflict, traumatic human death, traumatic animal death, and acts of physical violence. More than one third of military TCKs (35%) had witnessed a violent event, while 1 in 10 (11%) witnessed these events regularly.
The category of witnessed violence combines armed conflict, traumatic human death, traumatic animal death, and acts of physical violence. More than one third of military TCKs (35%) had witnessed a violent event, while 1 in 10 (11%) witnessed these events regularly.
More than half of non-missionary TCKs who regularly witnessed armed conflict, traumatic death, or physical violence had a high-risk ACE score.
Physical violence was the most commonly witnessed potentially traumatic event: 1 in 6 military TCKs (17%) witnessed at least one incident, and 6% witnessed these incidents regularly. Over half of military TCKs (52%) who witnessed at least one incident of physical violence had a high-risk ACE score. Almost 9 in 10 military TCKs who regularly witnessed physical violence (87%) had a high-risk ACE score.
8% of military TCKs had witnessed armed conflict. From this small sample, half of military TCKs who witnessed armed conflict regularly had a high-risk ACE score (50% vs 25% of military TCKs overall).
1 in 8 military TCKs (13%) reported witnessing a traumatic human death at least once, including 2 individuals who witnessed a murder. Regularly witnessing traumatic human death, the case for 1% of military TCKs, also doubled the likelihood of a high-risk ACE score (50% compared to 25%).
We also asked about witnessing traumatic animal death, as we have worked with many TCKs and Adult TCKs who had experienced this and needed to process it later down the line. 1 in 7 military TCKs (14%) had witnessed the traumatic death of an animal, with 4% witnessing this regularly. Over half of military TCKs who regularly witnessed the traumatic death of an animal had a high-risk ACE score, more than double the rate seen in military TCKs overall (55% vs 25%).
8% of military TCKs had witnessed armed conflict. From this small sample, half of military TCKs who witnessed armed conflict regularly had a high-risk ACE score (50% vs 25% of military TCKs overall).
1 in 8 military TCKs (13%) reported witnessing a traumatic human death at least once, including 2 individuals who witnessed a murder. Regularly witnessing traumatic human death, the case for 1% of military TCKs, also doubled the likelihood of a high-risk ACE score (50% compared to 25%).
We also asked about witnessing traumatic animal death, as we have worked with many TCKs and Adult TCKs who had experienced this and needed to process it later down the line. 1 in 7 military TCKs (14%) had witnessed the traumatic death of an animal, with 4% witnessing this regularly. Over half of military TCKs who regularly witnessed the traumatic death of an animal had a high-risk ACE score, more than double the rate seen in military TCKs overall (55% vs 25%).


Overall Impact
Military TCKs were the sector least likely to witness each type of potentially traumatic event, whether as isolated incidents or on a regular basis. The sole exception was regularly witnessing traumatic animal death, where military TCKs were the second least likely group. Despite this, the number of military TCKs exposed to potentially traumatic events is still considerable.
Over half (56%) of military TCKs witnessed at least one of these traumatic events, while 1 in 5 military TCKs (20%) witnessed potentially traumatic events regularly. Among military TCKs who did not witness any of these potentially traumatic events, however, only 16% had a high-risk ACE score (compared to 25% of military TCKs overall).
That said, ACE scores are not the only way to measure the impact of potentially traumatic events, and we anticipate that future research will help us learn more.
Over half (56%) of military TCKs witnessed at least one of these traumatic events, while 1 in 5 military TCKs (20%) witnessed potentially traumatic events regularly. Among military TCKs who did not witness any of these potentially traumatic events, however, only 16% had a high-risk ACE score (compared to 25% of military TCKs overall).
That said, ACE scores are not the only way to measure the impact of potentially traumatic events, and we anticipate that future research will help us learn more.
Where do we go from here?
This data can feel overwhelming. These numbers are sobering, and it is right and good to take time to reflect on them – and the people these numbers represent. So many children, teens, and families we know have been through these traumas. Some of them have received excellent support and are doing well. Some of them have not, and are not. We can and should grieve the occasions in which trauma was not well addressed.
As we hold the weight of this, we ask the question: where do we go from here?
Potentially traumatic events threaten the mental health and stability of international families. When we recognize them as such, we can mobilize to acknowledge and debrief these events. These events cannot always be predicted; when changes in the environment threaten emotional/physical safety, especially through frequency of potentially traumatic events, the location’s suitability should be reassessed.
As we hold the weight of this, we ask the question: where do we go from here?
Potentially traumatic events threaten the mental health and stability of international families. When we recognize them as such, we can mobilize to acknowledge and debrief these events. These events cannot always be predicted; when changes in the environment threaten emotional/physical safety, especially through frequency of potentially traumatic events, the location’s suitability should be reassessed.
Childhood adversity and the presence of ACE scores does not inherently determine health and wellbeing in adulthood. In fact, the prevalence of certain protective factors can mitigate the risks associated with a high ACE score. Efforts that focus on building healthy families early in the life of a child are an effective means of preventing ACEs and reducing their damaging effects.
There are resources available to help those who were not helped effectively in the moment. Unstacking Sessions are a great resource to help Adult TCKs work through what happened in their childhoods and how this impacted their internal narratives. Unstacking Your Grief Tower is a short and inexpensive book that helps Adult TCKs work through this process on their own.
More than this, however, we want to see quality preventive care happen.
Departmental Support is essential for all military families, but especially for those posted abroad. This is a very different move, with additional opportunities but also additional challenges. Providing support that is targeted to the unique needs of military TCKs and the unique challenges of parenting them is key to long term flourishing.
More than this, however, we want to see quality preventive care happen.
Departmental Support is essential for all military families, but especially for those posted abroad. This is a very different move, with additional opportunities but also additional challenges. Providing support that is targeted to the unique needs of military TCKs and the unique challenges of parenting them is key to long term flourishing.
Knowing that the high mobility military kids experience puts them at risk is helpful, because we also know that deliberate implementation of proven strategies backed by research will buffer them from those risks. Much can be done to equip parents and extended family members as well as to educate community leaders in how to provide effective preventive care for the military kids in their care.
Support looks different for every country’s military; the larger the country, the more likely there is a specific organization providing this support. It may come through a defense HR department, through a separate family support organization, or (especially in smaller countries) support may be less official and more community-based. Budgeting for this support is essential to ensuring military families thrive long term; community organizations are wonderful but cannot on their own bear the burden of providing for all families’ emotional needs.
Child protection is essential, and organization-level strategies should be put in place to safeguard children. Families need education to understand not only the rewards but also the risks for international life. When the military sends a family abroad, that government also bears responsibility for providing adequate information and effective support. Volunteer family organizations can be wonderful, but they also need institutional backing to provide the best care possible.
When there are departmental workers, a great start for those working in family support is to learn more about TCKs and their needs. Support staff can also be trained to provide excellent care specific to the needs of global mobile families. This might include running a private training in Debrief Certification or Family Check-In Training, or getting certified in TCK care (either as a program leader through Pathways, or on-the-ground care in Groundwork).
Quality pre-departure training for the military family being posted abroad is essential. A family that has already moved frequently with the military may be unaware of the differences that come with moving internationally, and additional support for this is important. This type of service need not be offered in-house as there are options to out-source pre-departure training, debriefs, and other invaluable services. Parent Packages are a great way to support families by giving them access to resources that will equip them well.
Quality pre-departure training for the military family being posted abroad is essential. A family that has already moved frequently with the military may be unaware of the differences that come with moving internationally, and additional support for this is important. This type of service need not be offered in-house as there are options to out-source pre-departure training, debriefs, and other invaluable services. Parent Packages are a great way to support families by giving them access to resources that will equip them well.
Debriefing is another incredibly powerful tool to help families work through the difficult parts of their journey in a way that also affirms the good things, while equipping parents to have ongoing conversations with their kids. We recommend that family debriefs occur annually, to catch things that aren’t noticed in the moment, with a full debrief every four years. A crisis debrief is a helpful tool when a particularly disruptive or traumatic event occurs. A great book for parents who want to incorporate emotional support into their TCK parenting is Raising Up A Generation of Healthy TCKs, or for a shorter and more debrief-centric reading, The Grief Tower.
Crisis debriefs should be sought after each violent event. The debrief doesn’t need to be elaborate, but an emotionally safe space needs to be provided for those impacted by violence to process what they saw, how it impacted them, and any worries or concerns they may have.
Other good resources to assist parents include:
References:
- Caution and Hope: The Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Globally Mobile Third Culture Kids (Crossman and Wells, 2022. TCK Training.)
- TCKs at Risk: Risk Factors and Risk Mitigation for Globally Mobile Families (Crossman, Wells and Vahey Smith, 2022. TCK Training.)
- Sources of Trauma in International Childhoods: Providing Individualized Support to Increase Positive Outcomes for Higher Risk Families (Crossman, Vahey Smith, Wells and McCall, 2023. TCK Training.)
- 2021 Survey
- Causes of PTSD: Road Traffic Incidents (PTSD UK, retrieved 2024)
- Mitigating Risk Factors for Children of International Educators and Humanitarian Workers (McCall and Crossman, 2023, TCK Training)
- Caution and Hope for Children of International Educators and Humanitarian Workers (Crossman, 2022, TCK Training)
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