Mode of pandemic school instruction associated with distress among military and non-military-connected students

• Published in: Journal of military, veteran and family health veteran and family health, 2024-12, Vol.10 (5), p.163-172
• Main Authors: Sullivan, Kathrine S, Gilreath, Tamika D, Barry, Adam E, Wadsworth, Shelley MacDermid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Distance education; Family; High schools; Military personnel; Risk factors; Stress (Psychology); Students; Study and teaching; Surveys
• ISSN: 2368-7924; 2368-7924
• DOI: 10.3138/jmvfh-2023-0107

LAY SUMMARY Because they experience unique risk factors, students from military families may have responded differently to remote school instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from this study show military-connected students were more distressed during this period than students from civilian families. Both groups appeared to fare better when they attended school in person. However, given their unique needs, military-connected students may benefit from specific resources to manage stressors associated with remote instruction. Introduction: Because of their exposure to unique risk factors, military-connected students may have experienced psychological distress related to mode of school instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study considers psychological distress among military and non-military-connected secondary school students during the pandemic and explores associations between remote/hybrid instruction and distress for both groups. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of 2020–2021 California Healthy Kids Survey data from 409,152 students in Grades 6 to 12 in California. Results: Military-connected students were significantly more likely to be classified as experiencing moderate (OR = 1.14, 95% CI, 1.07–1.21) or high (OR = 1.23, 95% CI, 1.11–1.36) distress compared to non-military peers. Students receiving in-person instruction were less likely to report moderate (OR = 0.77, 95% CI, 0.84–0.92) or high (OR = 0.82, 95% CI, 0.75–0.91) distress. Among only military-connected students, those receiving in-person instruction were less likely to report moderate or high distress. Discussion: Though all students reported elevated distress related to remote instruction, the adverse consequences of remote instruction may be exacerbated among military-connected students, suggesting the need to direct specific resources to these students. More research is needed to understand mechanisms that may account for distress among students receiving remote instruction and particularly among military-connected students.