The Impact of Deployment Length and Deployment Experience on the Well-being of Male and Female Military Personnel
Abstract
The present study examines the effects of deployment history on the psychological health of male and female military personnel. Previous research has shown that deployment history may be a significant factor in understanding soldiers' psychological wellbeing while currently deployed. Male and female personnel (N 12,336) re-deploying from the NATO mission in the former Yugoslavia (e.g. Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina) were assessed for symptoms of posttraumatic stress, depression, and alcohol problems. Personnel scoring above criteria on the psychological screen scales received an interview by mental health staff to determine referral need. There were no gender differences in exceeding criteria on the overall psychological screening scores. However, gender differences were evident in the nature of the relationship between deployment history and psychological wellbeing. For male soldiers, first time deployments and longer deployments were associated with an increase in exceeding criteria on one of the psychological screen scales. In contrast, women's overall screen rates remained relatively stable throughout the deployment regardless of how long they were deployed or whether they had been previously deployed. The findings suggest distinct gender differences in the impact of deployment history on soldier health under chronic moderate stress conditions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA392497
Entities
People
- A. B. Adler
- Ann H. Huffman
- C. A. Castro