Combat exposure, emotional and physical role limitations, and substance use among male United States Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers

Hoopsick, Rachel A.; Vest, Bonnie M.; Homish, D. Lynn; Homish, Gregory G.

doi:10.1007/s11136-017-1706-2

Cited by 16 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…As such, within the RC population, the NG is exposed to numerous unique stressors; the result being that these servicemembers often exhibit higher levels of MH issues and compared to their AC/RC peers [6–8] and lack access to treatment options [9–10]. This understudied population warrants research attention to identify risk and protective factors associated with its occupational exposures and enhance its health and well-being needs [11–12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The evolution of mental health outcomes across a combat deployment cycle: A longitudinal study of the Guam Army National Guard

Russell

2019

PLoS ONE

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Sustained overseas military operations over the last two decades have resulted in large numbers of United States and Allied servicemembers being faced with multiple unique occupational and environmental stressors, from serving in a combat zone, to having to be away from family and home for long periods of time. These stressors result in numerous negative health (physical and mental) and behavioral outcomes. Whereas there is a substantial amount of research focused on deployment-related health outcomes within active duty military populations, reserve forces are less understood. This study focuses on a United States Army National Guard combat unit before, during and after a deployment to Afghanistan. This prospective longitudinal study, conducted over the course of an operational deployment cycle (i.e., before, during and after), documents the trajectories of salient mental health outcomes (i.e., post-traumatic stress, depression, general anxiety, and aggression). The findings show that both combat (e.g., killing others) and non-combat (e.g., boredom) stressors negatively affect mental health outcomes, and the severity of these outcomes increases over the course of a deployment cycle. Of special note, the study reveals key gender differences in the evolution of PTSD, depression and anxiety across a deployment cycle: females report increased PTSD, depression and anxiety 6 months post-deployment whereas the levels reported by males stabilize at their mid-deployment levels. The findings offer insights for medical providers and policymakers in developing more targeted health promotion campaigns and interventions, especially during the post-deployment phase.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The evolution of mental health outcomes across a combat deployment cycle: A longitudinal study of the Guam Army National Guard

Russell

2019

PLoS ONE

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“…There is robust evidence in the literature demonstrating the association between deployment and/or combat exposure and alcohol misuse in military populations (Green et al, 2014, Hoge et al, 2006, Bray and Hourani, 2007, Milliken et al, 2007, Wright et al, 2012, Jacobson et al, 2008, Seal et al, 2011, Vest et al, 2018, Hoopsick et al, 2018). While rates of alcohol misuse among service members are generally high, particularly for binge and heavy drinking (Bray et al, 2013), some evidence suggests that deployment and/or combat may contribute to an increased risk of alcohol misuse as a means of self-medication in response to war-related psychological sequelae, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression (Wright et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol Use Among Never‐Deployed U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers: The Effects of Nondeployment Emotions and Sex

Hoopsick

Homish

Vest

et al. 2018

Alcoholism Clin & Exp Res

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Background. Limited research shows that mental health problems are prevalent among never-deployed soldiers and many experience negative emotions related to their non-deployment (Hoopsick et al., In Press). US Army Reserve/National Guard (USAR/NG) soldiers are also at high risk for alcohol misuse (Jacobson et al., 2008, Cohen et al., 2015). However, it is not known if non-deployment emotions contribute to an increased risk of alcohol misuse among never-deployed USAR/NG soldiers. Methods. Data are from Operation: SAFETY (Soldiers And Families Excelling Through the Years), an ongoing study of USAR/NG soldiers. We used regression models to examine the relations between non-deployment emotions, assessed by the Non-Deployment Emotions (NDE) Questionnaire (Hoopsick et al., In Press), and a range of alcohol use outcomes, assessed by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and standard quantity and frequency questions, among a sample of never-deployed soldiers who were partnered at baseline (N = 174). Final models controlled for years of military service, current number of close military friends in the social network, marital satisfaction, and depression. We also tested for potential differences in these associations by sex. Results. Non-deployment emotions were associated with frequency of getting drunk (aRR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.04; p < 0.05) and typical number of drinks consumed during a drinking episode (aRR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.04; p < 0.01). Non-deployment emotions had a trend-level association with percent of days drinking (aOR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.11; p = 0.055). Non-deployment emotions had a significant interaction with sex (p < 0.05) on the likelihood of alcohol problems, such that only male soldiers experienced a greater likelihood of alcohol problems when they had highly negative non-deployment emotions. There was no relation between non-deployment emotions and alcohol problems among female soldiers. Conclusions. Findings demonstrate that greater non-deployment emotions are associated with increased alcohol use among never-deployed USAR/NG soldiers. The NDE Questionnaire may assist in identifying those at highest risk for alcohol problems.

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“…Recent evidence suggests that previously deployed USAR/NG soldiers may engage in self-medication for undertreated conditions (e.g., traumatic brain injury [TBI]) (Hoopsick et al, 2018). Therefore, we controlled for TBI using the three-item Brief Traumatic Brain Injury Scale (Schwab et al, 2007).…”

Section: Traumatic Brain Injurymentioning

confidence: 99%

Resiliency factors that protect against post-deployment drug use among male US Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers

Hoopsick

Benson

Homish

et al. 2019

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

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Background: Service members who have been deployed are at risk for substance use, especially Reserve/Guard troops. However, it is unclear what modifiable factors protect against substance use in this at-risk population. Our objective was to examine the effects of pre-, peri-, and postdeployment resiliency factors on post-deployment drug use. Methods: Data were drawn from Operation: SAFETY (Soldiers and Families Excelling Through the Years), an ongoing study examining the health of US Army Reserve/National Guard (USAR/NG) soldiers. This sample consisted of male USAR/NG soldiers with at least one combat deployment (N = 228). At baseline, we assessed the following as potential protective factors: deployment preparation, unit support and support from family/friends during soldiers' most recent deployment, and marital satisfaction. We examined the relations between each of these resiliency factors with drug use at the first follow-up assessment using the NIDA modified ASSIST 2.0. Results: Greater unit support (AOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.92; p < 0.05) and support from family/friends during deployment (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.96; p < 0.05) were associated with lower odds of drug use, controlling for age, rank, years of military service, combat exposure, traumatic brain injury, time since last deployment, and baseline drug use. Deployment preparation and marital satisfaction were not associated with drug use (ps > 0.05). Conclusions: Social support provided to soldiers during deployment, either by his unit or his family/friends, showed evidence of protection against post-deployment drug use. In addition to existing post-deployment efforts, we recommend interventions that facilitate stronger interpersonal relationships during deployment.

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Combat exposure, emotional and physical role limitations, and substance use among male United States Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers

Cited by 16 publications

References 58 publications

The evolution of mental health outcomes across a combat deployment cycle: A longitudinal study of the Guam Army National Guard

The evolution of mental health outcomes across a combat deployment cycle: A longitudinal study of the Guam Army National Guard

Alcohol Use Among Never‐Deployed U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers: The Effects of Nondeployment Emotions and Sex

Resiliency factors that protect against post-deployment drug use among male US Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers

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