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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Having acknowledged this difficulty, we can start reaching out for resources that will support military  families going through the additional stresses of international relocations. 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.