Citation

Sareen J, Belik SL, Afifi TO, Asmundson GJG, Cox BJ, Stein MB. Am. J. Public Health 2008; 98(12): 2191-2198.

Affiliation

University of Manitoba.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2008.134205

PMID

18923111

PMCID

PMC2636534

Abstract

Objectives. We investigated mental disorders, suicidal ideation, self-perceived need for treatment, and mental health service utilization attributable to exposure to peacekeeping and combat operations among Canadian military personnel. Methods. With data from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.2 Canadian Forces Supplement, a cross-sectional population-based survey of active Canadian military personnel (N=8441), we estimated population attributable fractions (PAFs) of adverse mental health outcomes. Results. Exposure to either combat or peacekeeping operations was associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (men: PAF=46.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI]=27.3, 62.7; women: PAF=23.6%; 95% CI=9.2, 40.1), 1 or more mental disorder assessed in the survey (men: PAF=9.3%; 95% CI=0.4, 18.1; women: PAF=6.1%; 95% CI=0.0, 13.4), and a perceived need for information (men: PAF= 12.3%; 95% CI= 4.1, 20.6; women: PAF= 7.9%; 95% CI=1.3, 15.5). Conclusions. A substantial proportion, but not the majority, of mental health-related outcomes were attributable to combat or peacekeeping deployment. Future studies should assess traumatic events and their association with physical injury during deployment, pre-military factors, and post-deployment psychosocial factors that may influence soldiers' mental health.

Language: en