The Impact of Deployment Length on Soldier Morale, Cohesion, and Mental Health

Abstract

The U.S. Army Medical Research Unit-Europe conducted a longitudinal human dimension assessment of soldiers and units deployed for Operation Joint Endeavor (OJE). This study was the first longitudinal study conducted of U. S. Army Europe (USAREUR) soldiers during a major deployment. Soldiers were surveyed at three different time periods. Soldier morale and unit cohesion were assessed 1 to 3 months prior to the deployment, during the deployment (after 6 months in the Bosnia theater), and approximately one month after the soldiers returned to Germany. During OJE/OJG, all military personnel deployed to the Bosnia area of operations for more than 30 days were required to complete a mental health screening. Soldiers' mental health, personal morale, and perception of unit cohesion all change as a function of deployment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 13, 1998
Accession Number
ADA365394

Entities

People

  • C. A. Castro

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Biomedical Research
  • Cohesion
  • Deployment
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Health
  • Information Operations
  • Lessons Learned
  • Medical Personnel
  • Mental Health
  • Military Personnel
  • Perception
  • Psychological Phenomena And Processes
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Military Mobilization and Reserve Forces Studies.
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.