Challenges, support mechanisms and coping strategies of parents in the British armed forces.
Who is doing this research? The research will be conducted by Lt Col Jess Beck, a student on the Advanced Command and Staff Course, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, and will be supervised by Dr Ellen Hallams, School of Security Studies Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, King’s College London.
What is the research about? The study will examine the challenges, advantages and disadvantages of being a parent in the British military, and the coping strategies which are used by military parents. It aims to understand what additional support and flexibility is required to enable a military career to be maintained, and where there are current shortfalls.Am I eligible to participate? You are eligible to participate in the study if you are a Regular member of the British military, have one or more children, and are aged over 18.
What is required of me? You are being asked to take part in an online survey which will last 20-30 minutes. This will involve completing a number of multiple-choice questions, in which you will be asked to read various statements and indicate your agreement or disagreement with them. The questions cover coping strategies, parental stress, life satisfaction, social support and organisational commitment. You will also be asked to provide some basic demographic information and some details of your service and family life.
How do I take part? The survey is completed online via the Qualtrics platform, and can be completed via any device with an internet connection. The link for the survey is shown below, along with a QR code which will take you directly to the survey.
What if I have further comments or experiences to share? A free text box will be available at the end of the survey to gather additional information and comments.
What if I want to withdraw? You have the right to withdraw at any stage and can do so by closing the survey window and not progressing any further. Once you have completed the survey and submitted it you will receive a unique identifier code which you should note down. If you wish to withdraw your data, up until the date the study is completed (1 April 2025), you will be able to do so by emailing the researcher with your unique identifier code.
Will the information I provide be kept confidential? The study is anonymous so no personal or identifiable data will be obtained or retained by the researcher.
Contact details:
Researcher: Lt Col Jess Beck, jessica.beck@kcl.ac.uk
Supervisor: Dr Ellen Hallams, King’s College London, ellen.hallams@kcl.ac.uk
Survey link and QR code:
Will the information I provide be kept confidential? The study is anonymous so no personal or identifiable data will be obtained or retained by the researcher.
Contact details:
Researcher: Lt Col Jess Beck, jessica.beck@kcl.ac.uk
Supervisor: Dr Ellen Hallams, King’s College London, ellen.hallams@kcl.ac.uk
Survey link and QR code:
