BACKGROUND: Most research on the mental health of UK armed forces personnel has been conducted either before or after deployment; there is scant evidence concerning personnel while they are on deployment. AIMS: To assess the mental health of UK armed forces personnel deployed in Iraq and identify gaps in the provision of support on operations. METHOD: Personnel completed a questionnaire about their deployment experiences and health status. Primary outcomes were psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12, GHQ-12), symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and self-rating of overall health. RESULTS: Of 611 participants, 20.5% scored above the cut-off on the GHQ-12 and 3.4% scored as having probable PTSD. Higher risk of psychological distress was associated with younger age, female gender, weaker unit cohesion, poorer perceived leadership and non-receipt of a pre-deployment stress brief. Perceived threat to life, poorer perceived leadership and non-receipt of a stress brief were risk factors for symptoms of PTSD. Better self-rated overall health was associated with being a commissioned officer, stronger unit cohesion and having taken a period of rest and recuperation. Personnel who reported sick for any reason during deployment were more likely to report psychological symptoms. Around 11% reported currently being interested in receiving help for a psychological problem. CONCLUSIONS: In an established operational theatre the prevalence of common psychopathology was similar to rates found in non-deployed military samples. However, there remains scope for further improving in-theatre support mechanisms, raising awareness of the link between reporting sick and mental health and ensuring implementation of current policy to deliver pre-deployment stress briefs.
BACKGROUND: Most research on the mental health of UK armed forces personnel has been conducted either before or after deployment; there is scant evidence concerning personnel while they are on deployment. AIMS: To assess the mental health of UK armed forces personnel deployed in Iraq and identify gaps in the provision of support on operations. METHOD: Personnel completed a questionnaire about their deployment experiences and health status. Primary outcomes were psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12, GHQ-12), symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and self-rating of overall health. RESULTS: Of 611 participants, 20.5% scored above the cut-off on the GHQ-12 and 3.4% scored as having probable PTSD. Higher risk of psychological distress was associated with younger age, female gender, weaker unit cohesion, poorer perceived leadership and non-receipt of a pre-deployment stress brief. Perceived threat to life, poorer perceived leadership and non-receipt of a stress brief were risk factors for symptoms of PTSD. Better self-rated overall health was associated with being a commissioned officer, stronger unit cohesion and having taken a period of rest and recuperation. Personnel who reported sick for any reason during deployment were more likely to report psychological symptoms. Around 11% reported currently being interested in receiving help for a psychological problem. CONCLUSIONS: In an established operational theatre the prevalence of common psychopathology was similar to rates found in non-deployed military samples. However, there remains scope for further improving in-theatre support mechanisms, raising awareness of the link between reporting sick and mental health and ensuring implementation of current policy to deliver pre-deployment stress briefs.
Authors: Lauren Anderson; Laura Campbell-Sills; Robert J Ursano; Ronald C Kessler; Xiaoying Sun; Steven G Heeringa; Matthew K Nock; Paul D Bliese; Oscar I Gonzalez; Gary H Wynn; Sonia Jain; Murray B Stein Journal: Depress Anxiety Date: 2019-01-29 Impact factor: 6.505
Authors: Anthony J Rosellini; Murray B Stein; David M Benedek; Paul D Bliese; Wai Tat Chiu; Irving Hwang; John Monahan; Matthew K Nock; Nancy A Sampson; Amy E Street; Alan M Zaslavsky; Robert J Ursano; Ronald C Kessler Journal: Depress Anxiety Date: 2018-08-13 Impact factor: 6.505
Authors: Harriet J Forbes; Norman Jones; Charlotte Woodhead; Neil Greenberg; Kate Harrison; Sandra White; Simon Wessely; Nicola T Fear Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2012-10-24 Impact factor: 3.630