Publication year
2010
Citation Title
Effects of repeated deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on the health of New Jersey Army National Guard troops: Implications for military readiness.
Journal Name
American Journal of Public Health
Journal Volume
100
Issue Number
2
Page Numbers
276-283
DOI
10.2105/AJPH.2009.162925
Summary
New Jersey Army National Guard Soldiers who were preparing for deployment to Iraq completed surveys to assess the effects of prior military service in OEF/OIF on their mental and physical health. Results indicate that compared to non-deployed Soldiers and civilians, a previous deployment negatively influenced Soldiers' mental health, physical health, and alcohol use.
Key Findings
Previously deployed Soldiers were more than three times as likely as non-deployed Soldiers to screen positive for posttraumatic stress (PTSD) and major depression, over twice as likely to screen positive for alcohol dependence, and over 90% more likely to score below the general population norm on physical functioning.
A substantial proportion of previously deployed Soldiers (including 58% of those screening positive for PTSD) reported that they had not received a post-deployment mental health screen after their previous deployment.
Previously deployed Soldiers who screened positive for PTSD reported significant concern about mental health stigma. Fifty-nine percent of previously deployed Soldiers with positive PTSD screens said they did not report symptoms after deployment to avoid “medical hold.”
Previously deployed Soldiers accessed treatment at higher rates than did other Soldiers, concerns related to mental health stigma negatively influence rates of help seeking.
Implications for Program Leaders
Tailor their pre-deployment educational classes for Service members who have had a previous deployment by incorporating skill building on resilience, self-care, and peer support to attempt to mitigate potential mental health problems
Offer workshops during reintegration to help families and Service members adjust and cope with mental health concerns
Distribute information to military family members regarding how to recognize mental health problems in their Service members and resources available
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue to support the availability of confidential and accessible treatment of mental and behavioral health problems for Service members and their families
Consider how multiple deployments influence military readiness and psychological adjustment of Service members
Recommend training for service providers working with Service members regarding common mental and physical health issues, particularly as they relate to multiple deployments
Methods
Anonymous surveys were administered to New Jersey Army National Guard Soldiers undergoing pre-deployment medical assessments in preparation for deployment to Iraq in the summer of 2008.
Surveys contained assessments of PTSD, depression, alcohol use, physical health, general mental health, and use of mental health resources.
Additional health data were obtained from the New Jersey Department of Military and Veteran Affairs.
Participants
The sample included 2,543 New Jersey Army National Guard Soldiers (88% male).
The majority of the sample was White (47%) or Latino (30%); the average age was 33.20 years.
Twenty-five percent reported at least 1 previous deployment, 3% were deployed at least two times or more, 92% served in Iraq only, 5% in Afghanistan, and 3% in both.
Limitations
This study used self-report screening instruments which may bias results.
The results may not generalize beyond New Jersey Army National Guard units with similar demographics with experience in OEF/OIF conflicts.
The significant differences found between deployed and non-deployed Soldiers could influence the results.
Avenues for Future Research
Utilize longitudinal data to examine how these outcomes change over time
Examine the impact of multiple deployments on military performance
Explore how gender and number of deployments impacts mental and physical health outcomes
Focus
Army
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
Objectives. We assessed the effects of prior military service in Iraq or Afghanistan on the health of New Jersey Army National Guard members preparing for deployment to Iraq. Methods. We analyzed anonymous, self-administered predeployment surveys from 2543 National Guard members deployed to Iraq in 2008. We used bivariate and multivariate analyses to measure the effects of prior service in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom [OEF]) or Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom [OIF]) on mental and physical health. Results. Nearly 25% of respondents reported at least 1 previous OEF or OIF deployment. Previously deployed soldiers were more than 3 times as likely as soldiers with no previous deployments to screen positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.59, 5.24) and major depression (AOR = 3.07; 95% CI = 1.81, 5.19), more than twice as likely to report chronic pain (AOR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.78, 2.72) and more than 90% more likely to score below the general population norm on physical functioning (AOR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.51, 2.48). Conclusions. Repeated OEF and OIF deployments may adversely affect the military readiness of New Jersey National Guard combat soldiers.
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