A Prospective Study of Depression Following Combat Deployment in Support of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have reported an association between deployment and depression; however, these studies have been limited by small sample size or lack of longitudinal design. Results: Deployed men and women with combat exposures had the highest onset of depression at follow-up (5.6% and 15.7%, respectively), followed by those not deployed (3.9% and 7.7%, respectively), and those deployed without combat exposures (2.3% and 5.1%, respectively). After adjusting for demographic, behavioral, and military characteristics, combat-deployed men and women were at increased odds for new-onset depression compared with nondeployed men and women. Conversely, deployed men and women without combat exposures were at decreased odds for new-onset depression compared with nondeployed men and women. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first large, longitudinal study to examine the relationship between deployment and depression. Deployment with combat exposures is a significant risk factor for new-onset depression among US service members.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA517311
Entities
People
- Besa Smith
- Cynthia A LeardMann
- Dan Blazer
- Edward J. Boyko
- Margaret A.K. Ryan
- Sarah O. Fortuna
- Timothy Steven Wells
- Tyler Clain Smith
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center