Michelle Sherman, Ph.D.
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma City VA Medical Center
Author of My Story: Blogs by Four Military Teens and Finding My Way: A Teen’s Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has Experienced Trauma
In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed a theory that has become widely known as the hierarchy of needs. He studied psychologically healthy people (e.g., Albert Einstein, Frederick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt) to understand human behavior; this research shaped his theory of developmental psychology. His model is often depicted in the shape of a pyramid (see image below), and Maslow suggested that people are only driven to achieve higher levels in the pyramid when lower levels have been met.
What implications does this model have for military youth? Let’s look at each of these levels to reflect on the experiences and challenges faced by today’s military kids. We will consider ways in which adults can help young people move up the pyramid such that they can thrive.
Maslow’s most basic level, Physiological Needs, refers to things that are needed to survive (food, water, clothing, shelter, etc). In this difficult economy, some military families are struggling financially, which can impact these young people. Therefore, programs that can help spouses/partners find employment, connect families with resources, and provide financial counseling can be useful. If you don’t have enough food to eat or clothes to wear, a military child definitely cannot thrive!
The second level, Safety Needs, refers to a sense of personal security and safety. Living in a time of war can threaten this need, resulting in increased anxiety and worry for children. Further, the past year has witnessed almost unparalleled natural disasters (e.g., flooding, earthquakes, tornados), which can also adversely affect one’s sense of feeling safe in the world. Bottom line: if you don’t feel safe and secure, it’s impossible to thrive! It is incumbent on adults who support military youth to provide age-appropriate information about world events, and to promote a sense of safety and predictability. Maintaining regular schedules, routines, and activities is a great way to help kids feel secure.
Social Needs (also known as love and belonging) are the third level of Maslow’s hierarchy. These needs involve the experience of feeling valued, connected to something bigger than yourself, and that you belong. Youth in Active Duty families are often surrounded by people, organizations, and activities that promote this sense of belonging, which can be tremendously helpful over the course of the deployment cycle. Children of National Guard/Reserve families, however, are at higher risk for difficulties due to their usually not having access to the rich resources available at military installations. For all military children, frequent geographic move and having a parent deployed can be challenges to this need. Therefore, it’s important to help connect kids to healthy, nurturing people and activities (e.g., church group, soccer team, Big Brother/Big Sister program, etc).
The fourth level, Esteem Needs, refers to feeling good about yourself and earning the respect of others. People with strong esteem needs have a healthy sense of confidence and feel empowered to make a difference in their world. When people struggle with these needs, they are more prone to depression and anxiety. Research has documented that some of our military youth dealing with parental deployment are experiencing higher than average rates of these difficulties. Adults who care about military children can bolster youths’ self-esteem by providing appropriate affirmation, encouragement, and opportunities to succeed.
The final level, Self-Actualization, is where people thrive! Self-actualized people use their talents and abilities to make a positive difference in their communities, and realize their full potential. Instead of worrying about what others think, people thriving expend their energy focusing on lifelong growth and development. Encouraging military youth to use their gifts and talents in healthy ways, such as volunteering, can promote their journey toward self-actualization.
One way to promote dialogue with military youth about their wellbeing is via bibliotherapy. Sometimes youth feel more comfortable talking openly about fictional characters or information they read in a book than about their own feelings. Establishing and maintaining open communication can help you gauge how they’re doing on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and guide you as to how you can provide support.
In my personal life, my mother (a teacher) and I have written two books specifically for military teenagers, including:
Finding My Way: A Teen’s Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has Experienced Trauma
Examines the teenager’s experience of having a parent who has endured trauma-ranging from military combat to domestic violence to 9/11 to natural disasters.
My Story: Blogs by Four Military Teens
A series of blogs which gives a voice to the teen experience before, during and after parental deployment to Iraq/Afghanistan
To learn more about the books and see sample pages, please see the website: www.SeedsofHopeBooks.com
Michelle Sherman, Ph.D. has committed her career to supporting families/youth affected by mental illness, deployment, and trauma/PTSD. She directs the Family Mental Health Program at the Oklahoma City VA hospital, and is a clinical professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She co-chaired the first American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Supporting our Military Families, and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC).
