The present study investigated the relationship between alcohol use and deployment stress during two peacekeeping deployments. Both operations involved U.S. Army soldiers deployed from Germany to areas in the former Yugoslavia. One set of soldiers (N=128) comprised a medical unit deployed to Croatia, whereas the other group (N=17l) was a border patrol unit deployed to Macedonia. Both samples of soldiers deployed for six months and were surveyed regarding their alcohol use and reaction to various stressors. Results indicate that 14.2% of the medical unit and 14.6% of the border patrol unit reported trying to reduce tension by drinking more alcohol than usual. Those soldiers reporting an increase in alcohol use also report experiencing significantly greater stress from boredom, isolation, separation from spouse, and unit leadership than those who reported no alcohol increase. Limitations of the study and implications of the findings are discussed.
U022016