Publication year
2011
Citation Title
Effects of combat deployment on risky and self-destructive behavior among active duty military personnel.
Journal Name
Journal of Psychiatric Research
Journal Volume
45
Issue Number
10
Page Numbers
1321-1331
DOI
10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.04.003
Summary
Survey data was used to examine whether deployment among Active Duty military personnel increases risky or self-destructive behavior. The researchers also examined whether deployment effects on risky behavior varied depending on mental health status (depression, anxiety, and post-trumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) and pre-deployment risky behavior. Previous engagement in risky behavior, military service, and mental health status influenced the association between deployment and risky behavior.
Key Findings
Seventy-three percent of participants reported engaging in at least one type of risky behavior (i.e., risky recreational activities, unprotected sex, self-injurious behavior, and suicide attempts) in their lifetimes.
Risky behavior was much more prevalent when participants were civilians compared to when they were in the military.
Deployment did not affect risky behavior (i.e. risky recreational activity, illegal drug use and self-harm) for those who had not previously engaged in risk behavior.
Although mental health status was associated with higher levels of risky behavior in general, it did not account for relations between deployment and risky behavior, suggesting a unique effect (independent of mental health status) of deployment on risky behaviors (among those with previous experience with risky behaviors).
Implications for Program Leaders
Offer workshops for Service members who previously engaged in risk behaviors focused on developing more positive coping mechanisms to reduce risky behaviors
Incorporate curriculum for Service members on understanding and preventing risky behaviors particularly after deployment
Provide support groups for Service members and their families who are struggling with reintegration issues following deployment
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue to support and implement outreach activities and services to ensure Service members and their families are aware of and able to access health care services if needed
Recomend the use of evidence-based screening tools for risk behaviors along with referral systems that ensure Service members receive appropriate treatment
Encourage collaboration among DoD and community-based services in an effort to provide comprehensive support for Service members engaging in risky behaviors
Methods
Data for this cross-sectional study was collected between August 2006 and August 2007.
Self-report surveys were administered at Marine Corps installations in Southern California and Arizona within three major commands that represent air, support, and infantry units; the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) Combat Stress and Substance Use survey was conducted.
This study focused on Active Duty Service members: 93% Marine Corps, 7% Navy.
Participants
This study included 2,116 Active Duty Service members; most were males (92%) with an average age of 24 years (SD = 5.30 years).
The racial composition of the sample was not specified.
Limitations
Compared to the Marine Corps population as a whole, the present sample was somewhat younger, lower in rank, and more likely to be enlisted (vs. officers). Hence, these findings may not generalize to others in the Marine Corps or other branches of the military.
Comparisons across different time periods surveyed did not account for amount of time considered. For instance, the civilian period included childhood, adolescence, and perhaps some adulthood thus comprising more years and different developmental periods than during the pre- and post-deployment periods.
Although participants were asked about behavior during three different time periods (i.e., civilian, pre-deployment, and current or post combat deployment), participants were only surveyed once. Recall reports of behavior can be unreliable.
Avenues for Future Research
Utilize a longitudinal study design in order to determine causation or the order of effects
Replicate the current study in a more diverse sample (e.g., age, race, and military branch)
Explore how partners of Service member's engagement in risky behaviors influence Service members engagement in risky behaviors
Focus
Marines
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Component
Abstract
Although research has documented negative effects of combat deployment on mental health, few studies have examined whether deployment increases risky or self-destructive behavior. The present study addressed this issue. In addition, we examined whether deployment effects on risky behavior varied depending on history of pre-deployment risky behavior, and assessed whether psychiatric conditions mediated effects of deployment on risky behavior. In an anonymous survey, active duty members of the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy (N = 2116) described their deployment experiences and their participation in risky recreational activities, unprotected sex, illegal drug use, self-injurious behavior, and suicide attempts during three time frames (civilian, military pre-deployment, and military post-deployment). Respondents also reported whether they had problems with depression, anxiety, or PTSD during the same three time frames. Results revealed that risky behavior was much more common in civilian than in military life, with personnel who had not deployed, compared to those who had deployed, reporting more risky behavior and more psychiatric problems as civilians. For the current time period, in contrast, personnel who had deployed (versus never deployed) were significantly more likely to report both risky behavior and psychiatric problems. Importantly, deployment was associated with increases in risky behavior only for personnel with a pre-deployment history of engaging in risky behavior. Although psychiatric conditions were associated with higher levels of risky behavior, psychiatric problems did not mediate associations between deployment and risky behavior. Implications for understanding effects of combat deployment on active duty personnel and directions for future research are discussed.
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