Psychosocial Stress and Mental Health in a Forward-Deployed Military Community

The impact of perceived stressful experiences on mental health was studied using 1993 survey data from a representative sample (N=5,235) of the Army population in Europe. Regression results show stress in various life areas (personal, job, family) strongly predicts depression. Stress associated with mandated force reductions is also a predictor of depression for soldiers with children and working spouses. This study demonstrates empirically that stress associated with military force reductions is related to negative mental health effects.