OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of the present study was to quantitatively assess and analyze influential psychosocial factors in the mental health of new military recruits. METHODS: A total of 2,734 army recruits were evaluated by using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and Trait Meta-Mood Scale. RESULTS: In general, the army recruits were found to be in a good state of mental health. The SCL-90 scores of the new recruits were significantly higher than those of the normal civilian population (p < 0.01). The new recruits were similar to the normal army population, with notable exceptions in the following three scales: obsessive-compulsive, depression, and anxiety (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). Factors that significantly influenced the SCL-90 scores included childhood environment, education level, and parental relationship. Results from the current study also revealed negative associations between the SCL-90 global severity index and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale subscale scores (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The mental health status of army recruits is closely related to their childhood environment, education level, parental relationship, and emotional intelligence. These factors should be considered by mental health workers, to help new army recruits adapt to the new environment.
OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of the present study was to quantitatively assess and analyze influential psychosocial factors in the mental health of new military recruits. METHODS: A total of 2,734 army recruits were evaluated by using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and Trait Meta-Mood Scale. RESULTS: In general, the army recruits were found to be in a good state of mental health. The SCL-90 scores of the new recruits were significantly higher than those of the normal civilian population (p < 0.01). The new recruits were similar to the normal army population, with notable exceptions in the following three scales: obsessive-compulsive, depression, and anxiety (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). Factors that significantly influenced the SCL-90 scores included childhood environment, education level, and parental relationship. Results from the current study also revealed negative associations between the SCL-90 global severity index and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale subscale scores (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The mental health status of army recruits is closely related to their childhood environment, education level, parental relationship, and emotional intelligence. These factors should be considered by mental health workers, to help new army recruits adapt to the new environment.