1. Longitudinal mental health screening results among postdeployed U.S. soldiers preparing to deploy again.
- Author
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Duma SJ, Reger MA, Canning SS, McNeil JD, and Gahm GA
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Humans, Iraq War, 2003-2011, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Mass Screening, Surveys and Questionnaires, Washington, Young Adult, Mental Disorders diagnosis, Military Personnel psychology, Veterans psychology
- Abstract
Mental health concerns have been documented in soldiers postdeployed from Iraq or Afghanistan, but information is limited regarding individuals directed to deploy again. Routine screening assessed symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, panic, and hazardous alcohol consumption among 443 soldiers after returning from deployment and again before the next deployment. Initial rates for meeting screening criteria were under 9% with most around 5%. The average number of symptoms reported for depression, anxiety, and alcohol consumption decreased from first to second screening, as did the percentage of participants who met screening criteria for hazardous alcohol consumption. No change was observed on other screening measures. The findings suggest that mental health symptoms remain stable or decline for soldiers repeating deployment.
- Published
- 2010
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