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International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2022An anticipatory stress response develops before an internal or external stimulus, which initiates a homeostasis process through a chain of responses that enable human...
An anticipatory stress response develops before an internal or external stimulus, which initiates a homeostasis process through a chain of responses that enable human organisms to face different threats, thus allowing them to adapt to a continuous and eliciting environment. In the current research, we analyzed the psychophysiological anticipatory anxiety response of professional soldiers prior to a real mission in an actual theater of operation. Autonomic modulation through the heart rate variability values, muscular strength manifestation, and psychological stress of 53 military personnel of Army Airmobile Forces (age: M = 35.4 years, SD = 5.88 years; height: M = 1.75 m, SD = 6.87 cm; body mass: M = 77.33 kg, SD = 11.95 kg; military duty = 14.44 years, SD = 6.43; military operation experience = 4 months, SD = 4.25 months) and a control group of 33 civil participants were analyzed. The military personnel presented significant differences in some HRV values related to the activation of sympathetic systems. We found that the military personnel presented an anticipatory anxiety response only at an autonomic level, showing an increased sympathetic modulation, but not at a psychological level, since their anxiety levels were not significantly different than those of the control civilians. In addition, this anticipatory anxiety response did not affect muscular strength manifestation, as it presented no significant differences between the military personnel and the control group.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Military Personnel; Stress, Psychological; Anxiety; Autonomic Nervous System; Muscle Strength
PubMed: 36294217
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013637 -
Sexually Transmitted Infections Dec 2015Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence and risk behaviour may differ at different phases of deployment. We examined STI prevalence and sexual behaviour in the...
OBJECTIVES
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence and risk behaviour may differ at different phases of deployment. We examined STI prevalence and sexual behaviour in the predeployment time period (12 months prior) among recently deployed shipboard US Navy and Marine Corps military personnel.
METHODS
Data were collected from 1938 male and 515 female service members through an anonymous, self-completed survey assessing sexual behaviours and STI acquisition characteristics in the past 12 months. Cross-sectional sex-stratified descriptive statistics are reported.
RESULTS
Overall, 67% (n=1262/1896) reported last sex with a military beneficiary (spouse, n=931, non-spouse service member, n=331). Among those with a sexual partner outside their primary partnership, 24% (n=90/373) reported using a condom the last time they had sex and 30% (n=72/243) reported their outside partner was a service member. In total, 90% (n=210/233) reported acquiring their most recent STI in the USA (88%, n=126/143 among those reporting ≥1 deployments and an STI ≥1 year ago) and a significantly higher proportion (p<0.01) of women than men acquired the STI from their regular partner (54% vs 21%) and/or a service member (50% vs 26%).
CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest a complex sexual network among service members and military beneficiaries. Findings may extend to other mobile civilian and military populations. Data suggest most STI transmission within the shipboard community may occur in local versus foreign ports but analyses from later time points in deployment are needed. These data may inform more effective STI prevention interventions.
Topics: Adult; Condoms; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Military Personnel; Prevalence; Risk-Taking; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Partners; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; United States
PubMed: 26586849
DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2015-052163 -
BMJ Military Health Apr 2022Women in the UK military are more commonly diagnosed with a mental health disorder than men, but the reasons for this difference are not fully understood. This... (Review)
Review
Women in the UK military are more commonly diagnosed with a mental health disorder than men, but the reasons for this difference are not fully understood. This literature review identifies the risk factors for mental ill health in military personnel before serving, during service and as a veteran. The interaction of risk factors is complex and, in some cases, may be synergistic, such as experiencing adverse events in childhood and exposure to combat. Identification of risk factors allows further research to better understand differences between men and women, and the impact of these risk factors on army personnel. In turn this will inform better preventive strategies, which could be targeted at the primary, secondary or tertiary levels.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Military Personnel; Risk Factors; United Kingdom; Veterans
PubMed: 33911013
DOI: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001679 -
Clinical Medicine (London, England) Oct 2018Infectious disease has burdened European armies since the Crusades. Beginning in the 18th century, therefore, the British Army has instituted novel methods for the... (Review)
Review
Infectious disease has burdened European armies since the Crusades. Beginning in the 18th century, therefore, the British Army has instituted novel methods for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of tropical diseases. Many of the diseases that are humanity's biggest killers were characterised by medical officers and the acceptance of germ theory heralded a golden era of discovery and development. Luminaries of tropical medicine including Bruce, Wright, Leishman and Ross firmly established the British Army's expertise in this area. These innovations led to the prevention of many deaths of both military personnel and civilians. British Army doctors were instrumental in establishing many of the teaching facilities that we now consider to be global leaders in tropical medicine. The impact of the Army in this field has certainly been significant in the past and its contribution continues to this day.
Topics: History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Humans; Military Medicine; Military Personnel; Penicillins; Tropical Medicine; United Kingdom
PubMed: 30287430
DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.18-5-380 -
BMC Public Health Jul 2020Problematic anger is intense anger associated with elevated generalized distress and that interferes with functioning. It also confers a heightened risk for the...
BACKGROUND
Problematic anger is intense anger associated with elevated generalized distress and that interferes with functioning. It also confers a heightened risk for the development of mental health problems. In military personnel and veterans, previous studies examining problematic anger have been constrained by sample size, cross-sectional data, and measurement limitations.
METHODS
The current study used Millennium Cohort survey data (N = 90,266) from two time points (2013 and 2016 surveys) to assess the association of baseline demographics, military factors, mental health, positive perspective, and self-mastery, with subsequent problematic anger.
RESULTS
Overall, 17.3% of respondents reported problematic anger. In the fully adjusted logistic regression model, greater risk of problematic anger was predicted by certain demographic characteristics as well as childhood trauma and financial problems. Service members who were in the Army or Marines, active duty (vs. reserves/national guard), and previously deployed with high levels of combat had increased risk for problematic anger. Veterans were also more likely to report problematic anger than currently serving personnel. Mental health predictors included posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and comorbid PTSD/MDD. Higher levels of positive perspective and self-mastery were associated with decreased risk of problematic anger.
CONCLUSION
Not only did 1 in 6 respondents report problematic anger, but risk factors were significant even after adjusting for PTSD and MDD, suggesting that problematic anger is more than an expression of these mental health problems. Results identify potential targets of early intervention and clinical treatment for addressing problematic anger in the military and veteran context.
Topics: Adult; Anger; Cohort Studies; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Military Personnel; Risk Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Veterans
PubMed: 32718306
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09206-2 -
Military Medicine Jul 2018Cigarette smoking can have negative consequences in military populations including injury, reduced physical endurance, higher frequency of sick days, and reduced combat...
INTRODUCTION
Cigarette smoking can have negative consequences in military populations including injury, reduced physical endurance, higher frequency of sick days, and reduced combat readiness. This study used the socioecological model to understand individual, interpersonal, and organizational influences on cigarette smoking among military members.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The sample for this secondary analysis was drawn from personnel at 24 large U.S. military installations, six from each service branch. Analyses included 4,728 personnel who were classified as current cigarette smokers. Generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate the associations among risk and protective factors from multiple ecological levels for smoking intensity and nicotine dependence.
RESULTS
Smoking to fit in with one's unit, being in the Army, smoking as a reaction to stress, and work-related stressors were all related to increased intensity of smoking and nicotine dependence. More active coping was associated with lower nicotine dependence and reduced smoking intensity.
CONCLUSION
Results based on the socioecological model identify influencing factors and suggest possible interventions for smoking cessation. Reducing tobacco use in the military will require coordinated interventions that address multilevel determinants of use and improve military health. This is important to the strategic alignment of policy and services across the continuum of health care needs.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Military Personnel; Prevalence; Protective Factors; Risk; Smoking; Smoking Cessation; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tobacco Use; United States
PubMed: 29697835
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usx021 -
BMC Psychiatry Aug 2023The transition to civilian life following separation from military service is associated with increased risk of mental health disorders, suicide, and poor adjustment. No...
BACKGROUND
The transition to civilian life following separation from military service is associated with increased risk of mental health disorders, suicide, and poor adjustment. No measure currently enables pre-separation screening to assess mental readiness for transition and identify personnel most at risk of poor outcomes. The Mental Readiness for Military Transition Scale (MT-Ready) was developed to identify psychosocial factors predictive of post-separation psychological adjustment and mental health.
METHODS
Phase I was a qualitative study including transitioned veterans (n = 60), partners of transitioned veterans (n = 20) and mental health clinicians (n = 20) which enabled development of candidate items that were subsequently piloted with a current serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) sample (n = 19). Phase II included evaluation of the factor structure, psychometric properties, and scale refinement of the initial pool of 50 items with a convenience sample of transitioning ADF personnel (n = 345). Analyses included exploratory factor analysis, evaluation of test-retest reliability, internal consistency, convergent, divergent, discriminant and predictive validity. Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve Analysis was also conducted to determine an optimal cut-off score.
RESULTS
Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 15-item, three-factor solution that explained 62.2% of the variance: Future focus and optimism; Anger and perceived failure; Civilian connections and social support. Reliability and convergent, divergent, and discriminant validity was established. Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve Analysis determined a cut-off score of 55. MT-Ready scores significantly differentiated those reporting adjusting versus not adjusting to civilian life 3.7 months post-separation, and predicted post-separation outcomes including symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, psychological adjustment and quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS
This evaluation provides promising evidence the MT-Ready is a valid, reliable measure of mental readiness for transition, with predictive capability and considerable potential to assist prevention of poor post-separation outcomes among military personnel.
Topics: Humans; Military Personnel; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Quality of Life; Australia
PubMed: 37553664
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05032-z -
Circadian misalignment on submarines and other non-24-h environments - from research to application.Military Medical Research Aug 2020Circadian clocks have important physiological and behavioral functions in humans and other organisms, which enable organisms to anticipate and respond to periodic... (Review)
Review
Circadian clocks have important physiological and behavioral functions in humans and other organisms, which enable organisms to anticipate and respond to periodic environmental changes. Disturbances in circadian rhythms impair sleep, metabolism, and behavior. People with jet lag, night workers and shift workers are vulnerable to circadian misalignment. In addition, non-24-h cycles influence circadian rhythms and cause misalignment and disorders in different species, since these periods are beyond the entrainment ranges. In certain special conditions, e.g., on submarines and commercial ships, non-24-h watch schedules are often employed, which have also been demonstrated to be deleterious to circadian rhythms. Personnel working under such conditions suffer from circadian misalignment with their on-watch hours, leading to increased health risks and decreased cognitive performance. In this review, we summarize the research progress and knowledge concerning circadian rhythms on submarines and other environments in which non-24-h watch schedules are employed.
Topics: Circadian Rhythm; Humans; Military Personnel; Shift Work Schedule; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm
PubMed: 32814592
DOI: 10.1186/s40779-020-00268-2 -
Journal of Gambling Studies Jun 2021The prevalence of gambling harm among active duty military personnel is a largely unexplored topic. With different forms of social gambling often found within (or in... (Review)
Review
The prevalence of gambling harm among active duty military personnel is a largely unexplored topic. With different forms of social gambling often found within (or in close proximity to) military bases around the world, understanding the extent of gambling activities and consequent harms occurring within military contexts warrants further attention. This review aims to identify, describe and thematically synthesise published literature on gambling harm and related issues among active duty military personnel. Scoping review methods were applied in order to understand this relatively under-researched population and understand appropriate avenues for future research. A systematic multi-database text word search, incorporating search results from Scopus, Pubmed, Web of Science, PsychInfo, and the Journal Military Medicine, was conducted. A total of 11 sources met inclusion criteria, all originating from the United States of America. The results suggest a distinct gap in the current international literature on this topic. Despite gambling's long and colourful association with defence downtime, research into gambling harm prevalence rates in relation to what could be considered a high-risk group is limited. Findings reveal that strategies to identify and address gambling harm within this population are severely lacking from the published literature and non-existent outside North America. Implications for understanding and addressing gambling harm among active duty personnel and directions for future research are discussed.
Topics: Behavior, Addictive; Gambling; Humans; Military Health; Military Personnel; Prevalence; United States
PubMed: 32410048
DOI: 10.1007/s10899-020-09951-4 -
Military Psychology : the Official... 2023Various forms of assistance are offered to help US Veterans achieve success in their post-military lives in recognition of their service. Despite the many successes, a... (Review)
Review
Various forms of assistance are offered to help US Veterans achieve success in their post-military lives in recognition of their service. Despite the many successes, a significant number of Veterans continue to remain at risk for negative mental health outcomes, including suicidality and low levels of life satisfaction. These findings may be due to challenges arising from cultural identity dissonance. Problematic strategies used by Veterans to reduce this dissonance can result in a lack of belongingness, a key component in Joiner's Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. The authors suggest that research on the immigrant experience of acculturation may provide a new perspective to better understand issues of identity and sense of belonging in Veterans. Given that most Veterans return to the culture in which they grew up, the authors offer the term "reculturation." The authors propose clinical psychology focus on exploring the reculturation process of Veterans to support program engagement and suicide prevention.
Topics: Humans; Military Personnel; Veterans; Suicide; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide Prevention
PubMed: 37133548
DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2094175