Military Adult TCKs & Mental Health: First Look at the 2024 Research

Tanya Crossman and Carmen Doerwald
TCK Training’s 2024 survey on the Impact of Childhood Global Mobility on Adult Wellness collected data from 1,643 Adult Third Culture Kids who experienced global mobility, with a focus on connecting the dots between both hardships and resilience factors in childhood with physical and emotional wellness markers in adulthood. This built on TCK Training’s 2021 survey of 1,904 Adult Third Culture Kids, which led to  three white papers (Caution and Hope, TCKs at Risk, and Sources of Trauma in International Childhoods). The first data from this survey was released in January 2025 (First Look: Data from the 2024 Survey on the Impact of Childhood Global Mobility on Adult Wellness). This article is part of a series of blog posts that looks a little deeper at certain sub-groups represented in the data.

Military Adult TCKs & Mental Health: First Look at the 2024 Research

Conducting research is an important part of how TCK Training cares for globally mobile families. In 2024, we ran a survey of 1,643 Adult TCKs, including 121 military kids who lived abroad during childhood. This research reflected the complexity of an international upbringing, with both wonderful experiences and difficult impacts represented in the data:

  • 94% of military TCKs saw a "broad worldview" as one of their strengths
  • 93% of military TCKs said living internationally as a child was a good experience overall
  • 78% of military TCKs experienced symptoms of at least one mental health concern 
  • 40% of military TCKs had been diagnosed with depression
  • 17% of military TCKs had been diagnosed with PTSD
In this blog post, we review data from our latest research (First Look: Data from the 2024 Survey on the Impact of Childhood Global Mobility on Adult Wellness) 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.
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.

Frequent Moves Puts Military Kids at Risk. Here’s How You Can Mitigate Risk Even When the PCS Moves Continue.
While the TCKs we surveyed overall were of varied ages, the military TCKs were older on average. In fact, 80% of Military TCKs were born before 1980, compared to only a quarter of TCKs surveyed overall. This is very similar to patterns seen in other non-random TCK surveys, including TCK Training’s 2021 survey.
The military kids in our sample were older on average than other TCKs we surveyed. While in most sectors, nearly half the respondents were born after 1990, among military kids over half were born before 1970.

Caution and Hope for Military TCKs

Views of Childhood

Respondents were offered a list of statements and asked which reflected their own experiences of growing up as TCKs. These statements were based on common sentiments expressed during our work with hundreds of TCKs, including those we support with Unstacking Sessions. There were a lot of positive sentiments expressed, including:

  • 93% of military TCKs said living internationally as a child was a good experience overall.
  • 92% of military TCKs could see both good and hard parts in their story. 
  • 74% of military TCKs said this was “the best way to grow up”.
  • 70% of military TCKs felt proud of their parents’ work.
  • 63% of military TCKs said living abroad made their family closer. 
  • 60% of military TCKs said their experience was wonderful, and they had “no regrets”.


20% of military TCKs said their experience was “mostly painful” which was similar to what we saw in other sectors. It is important to note that the majority of these TCKs also said they could see both good and hard parts in their story, and that living overseas was a good experience overall.
We also reviewed how parents’ occupation impacted TCKs by asking which statements they identified with as children. The responses of military TCKs were more of a mixed bag here. 71% of military TCKs were proud of their parent’s work, similar to what we saw in other sectors; fewer than half (48%) identified with their parent’s work/purpose and only 30% wanted to follow in their parent’s footsteps – considerably lower than seen in other sectors. More than half of military TCKs (55%) felt “pressure to ‘perform’ while visiting our passport country” and 37% of military TCKs worried “that misbehavior on my part might result in our family having to leave the country”, higher than seen in other sectors. Yet only 15% of military TCKs felt “pressure to be ‘perfect’ as my behavior reflected on my parents’ employer’ – compared to 58% of TCKs overall and 46% of those born before 1980. 

Strengths and Struggles in Adulthood

Drawing from our experiences working with hundreds of TCKs, we also curated lists of potential strengths and struggles that might be identified during adulthood. These were predominantly taken from things we regularly hear TCKs say when describing their experiences, but also included words and phrases that are often used to describe the TCKs life – for better or worse.

Strengths

There were many areas in which military TCKs saw strengths in their adult selves. 82% of military TCKs identified Empathy as one of their strengths, a similar number to other TCKs. Military TCKs were more confident of certain strengths that other TCKs, including:

  • 90% of military TCKs identified Adaptability as a strength
  • 87% of military TCKs identified Resilience as a strength
  • 75% of military TCKs identified Fast Learner as a strength
  • 67% of military TCKs identified Hope in Adversity as a strength
  • 58% of military TCKs identified Goals & Aspirations as a strength


94% of military TCKs saw a Broad Worldview as one of their strengths (on par with other TCKs), but only 76% also saw being a Bridge Between Cultures as a strength (less common than among other TCKs). Also, only 40% of military TCKs saw Language Learning as a strength. This makes sense, given that military TCKs are more likely to live on bases or in other international communities than to live immersed in local communities.

Struggles

Military TCKs were more likely to self-identify as having “itchy feet” as adults than other TCKs. This may connect with previous data indicating that military TCKs experienced greater mobility than other TCKs.
Military kids moved locations far more often than other TCKs in our sample. Two-thirds of military kids moved location at least eight times before turning 18, nearly double the percentage of TCKs overall. 84% of military kids moved at least six times, compared to 58% of TCKs generally.

Caution and Hope for Military Kids
Other areas of struggle included:
  • 62% of military TCKs had trouble belonging
  • 38% of military TCKs experienced identity uncertainty
  • 33% of military TCKs experienced fear of commitment – a higher rate than seen in other TCKs

Mental Health

A range of questions were asked regarding experiences of mental health. This included discussions of childhood and adulthood experiences, what mental health care was available (and which was most helpful), screening questions developed in conjunction with several mental health professionals, and questions regarding formal medical diagnoses. We will begin here by looking at key symptoms of mental ill health reported through screening questions. 

Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD

A high percentage of military TCKs had experienced symptoms consistent with anxiety (56%), depression (49%), and PTSD (43%). This was consistent with the rates seen in other TCKs, especially those of equivalent age to the cohort of military TCKs surveyed.

Symptoms of Disordered Eating, Self Harm, and Suicidal Ideation

Military TCKs reported suicidal ideation at a high rate (45%) - equivalent to TCKs generally and much higher than those of equivalent age. Military TCKs were also more likely to report disordered eating than other TCKs, and much more likely than TCKs of equivalent age.

Mental Health Concerns in Military TCKs

27% of military TCKs said they experienced a “serious mental health crisis” during childhood. 78% of military TCKs surveyed had experienced symptoms of at least one mental health concern during their lifetime, and more than half (51%) had at least one formally diagnosed mental health condition. The rate of symptoms was equivalent to that seen in other TCKs, though the rate of diagnosis was higher. We see this as a positive: a sign that military TCKs are more likely than other TCKs to reach out for – and receive – the help they need to manage their mental wellbeing. We need to continue to work toward access to mental health support services for military kids of all ages.
Depression was the most commonly diagnosed condition among military TCKs (40%); 31% had been diagnosed with anxiety and 23% with panic attacks. Another concern is that 17% of military TCKs had received a formal medical diagnosis of PTSD, given that this is a much higher rate than seen in the general population. 
Studies estimate that 7% of the population in the USA and Australia will experience PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) in their lifetime.

First Look: Data from the 2024 Survey on the Impact of Childhood Global Mobility on Adult Wellness
Previous research showed that a significant proportion of military TCKs were exposed to potentially traumatic events, and that exposure to trauma was correlated with higher risk. Future data analysis from TCK Training’s 2024 survey investigating potential connections between ACEs, PTSD, and exposure to traumatic events will likely be significant for the military  community.
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).

When Military Families Abroad Witness or Experience traumatic events

What Do We Do Now?

This data reveals a complex picture of military TCKs’ globally mobile childhoods: both positive experiences of childhood overall, and difficult experiences with lasting impacts. Taking time to acknowledge this “ampersand life” – the both/and of the military  TCK experience – is important. As we do this, we ask the question: with this knowledge in hand, what can we do to provide empathetic and effective care to military TCKs and their families?

The first step is simply acknowledging that the stress of moves, especially on an international scale, has a deep impact on families and the relationships between parents and children.
Military service can also influence the emotional dynamics within a family. The constant worry about the safety of the deployed family member can create a state of chronic stress and anxiety. This can affect the emotional climate of the family, leading to increased tension and conflict. Additionally, the emotional toll of repeated deployments can lead to feelings of detachment and disconnection, which can strain familial relationships.

The Impact of Military Service on Family Dynamics
Having acknowledged this difficulty, we can start reaching out for resources that will support military  families going through the additional stresses of international relocations. Both internal departments and supporting organizations can improve their understanding of how global mobility affects families, be empowered as trainers and caregivers, and build a library of resources to support the families they work with. This might include training in Debriefing Certification, for example.
Simple intentionality in parenting, policies, and procedures can mitigate the risk and increase the chances of positive, healthy outcomes for Third Culture Kids.

TCKs at Risk: Risk Factors and Risk Mitigation for Globally Mobile Families
Parents can also build their own library of resources – both a literal library, and accessing online trainings that are designed for those raising children abroad. This workshop on Raising Thriving Military Kids Abroad is a place to great start! TCK Training also offers a range of free resources to help families get started with tools to support their children through the stresses of international life. 
Protective factors such as Positive Childhood Experiences, healthy parent-child relationships, and healthy parental mental health are all tangible aspects of intentionality. Each protective factor will assist in mitigating the risk of Adverse Childhood Experiences taking their toll on the children of military families long term.

Mitigating Risk Factors for Military TCKs
Military TCKs themselves can also receive support directly – no matter how old you are, and how long ago you lived abroad. There are a range of Unstacking resources to help you process your experiences and how they’ve shaped you. There is the Unstacking book, coaching sessions, and a self-guided course. Learn more about these and other resources here!

Living abroad as a military kid comes with unique joys and struggles – and that’s okay! Acknowledging the both/and of this life helps us all. TCK Training is committed to providing tools and support systems that empower military TCKs and their families to thrive no matter where in the world they are. For more ideas, check out this amazing list of resources for military families.
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