What drives the relationship between combat and alcohol problems in soldiers? The roles of perception and marriage

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

doi:10.1007/s00127-017-1477-7

Cited by 23 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(64 reference statements)

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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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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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“…Years of military service included the total years of active duty service (if applicable) and years of Reserve/Guard service. Marital satisfaction has been shown to be a strong protective factor against the effects of military‐related stress on poor mental health (Vest et al, ) and alcohol problems (Vest et al, ) among Reserve/Guard soldiers. We used the Marital Adjustment Test (Locke & Wallace, ), a 15‐item Likert‐based scale, to assess marital satisfaction.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Service members are at greater risk for problems with alcohol and other substances than civilians (Bray, Brown, & Williams, ; Green, Beckham, Youssef, & Elbogen, ; Hoopsick, Fillo, Vest, Homish, & Homish, ; Jacobson et al, ; Milliken, Auchterlonie, & Hoge, ; J. L. Thomas et al, ). Further, there is an abundance of literature demonstrating the effects of deployment on mental health and substance use outcomes among service members (Bray & Hourani, ; Hassija, Jakupcak, Maguen, & Shipherd, ; Jacobson et al, ; Larson, Mohr, Jeffery, Adams, & Williams, ; Milliken et al, ; Renshaw, Rodrigues, & Jones, ; M. M. Thomas, Harpaz‐Rotem, Tsai, Southwick, & Pietrzak, ; Vest, Heavey, Homish, & Homish, ; Vest, Homish, Hoopsick, & Homish, ). Thus, negative social interactions or experiences may contribute to even greater risk for substance use among this already high‐risk group.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Problems with social acceptance and social victimization predict substance use among U.S. Reserve/Guard soldiers

et al. 2020

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The effects of negative social interactions/experiences on substance use have largely been studied in civilian populations, but less is known about United States Army Reserve/National Guard (USAR/NG) soldiers—a high‐risk group. We examined the associations between problems with social acceptance, social victimization, and substance use among USAR/NG soldiers, and examined potential differences by deployment history. The sample consisted of soldiers who completed baseline and 1‐year follow‐up assessments (N = 445) of Operation: SAFETY, an ongoing study of USAR/NG soldiers. We examined the effects of baseline problems with social acceptance/social victimization on nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD), illicit drug use, frequent heavy drinking (FHD), and alcohol problems at follow‐up. Significant effects were small in magnitude but consistent in direction. Greater problems with social acceptance were associated with higher odds of NMUPD and illicit drug use. Greater social victimization was associated with higher odds of NMUPD and illicit drug use. There were no differences by deployment history. Problems with social acceptance/social victimization were not associated with FHD or alcohol problems. Problems with social acceptance/social victimization may contribute to drug use among USAR/NG soldiers. Intervention programs should address social issues, regardless of deployment history.

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“…To our knowledge, marital satisfaction has not been examined as a protective factor that may reduce the incidence of post-deployment drug use among service members. However, recent research demonstrated that marital satisfaction was a strong resiliency factor in protecting against post-deployment anger, anxiety, depression, and PTSD among male USAR/NG soldiers (Vest et al, 2017), and has also been shown to protect against the effects of combat exposure on alcohol problems among this population (Vest et al, 2018).…”

Section: Resiliency Factorsmentioning

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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What drives the relationship between combat and alcohol problems in soldiers? The roles of perception and marriage

Cited by 23 publications

References 40 publications

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

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

Problems with social acceptance and social victimization predict substance use among U.S. Reserve/Guard soldiers

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

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