Elizabeth Banwell1, N Greenberg2, P Smith1, N Jones2, M Fertout2. 1. Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK. 2. Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health, King's College London, London, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Fear et al identified a small but significant increase in probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in UK military personnel from around 3% in first year post deployment to around 6% by year 5. As yet it is not clear what factors are linked to the increase in probable PTSD, and therefore, serial measurement of poor mental health would be helpful. METHOD: Rates of mental ill health among UK service personnel were compared upon deployment completion and at follow-up and identified factors associated with maladjustment. RESULTS: Poor mental health symptomatology increased from baseline to follow-up, PTSD symptoms and related functional impairment increased significantly. Poor baseline mental health was predictive of transition and family relationship difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: The results are discussed in relation to encouraging recognition and reporting of symptoms among personnel and their social networks. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/
OBJECTIVE: Fear et al identified a small but significant increase in probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in UK military personnel from around 3% in first year post deployment to around 6% by year 5. As yet it is not clear what factors are linked to the increase in probable PTSD, and therefore, serial measurement of poor mental health would be helpful. METHOD: Rates of mental ill health among UK service personnel were compared upon deployment completion and at follow-up and identified factors associated with maladjustment. RESULTS: Poor mental health symptomatology increased from baseline to follow-up, PTSD symptoms and related functional impairment increased significantly. Poor baseline mental health was predictive of transition and family relationship difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: The results are discussed in relation to encouraging recognition and reporting of symptoms among personnel and their social networks. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/
Authors: Roberto J Rona; Howard Burdett; Samantha Bull; Margaret Jones; Norman Jones; Neil Greenberg; Simon Wessely; Nicola T Fear Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2016-09-22 Impact factor: 3.630