The Influence of Psychosocial Health on Military Performance: Fit for Service?
Abstract When considering military fitness, the focus must be on psychological and physiological ability and thus suitability for service, determinants which are themselves influenced by health. Health, especially in the military context, is the product of several factors (including psychosocial ones), as will be highlighted in the current study. The influence of psychosocial health and… Read more »
Hookworm in the Military
Abstract Soil-transmitted helminths such as hookworm are rarely a problem for military units unless they directly contact faecally contaminated soil during tropical operations. Localised epidemics incapacitating small infantry units have been recorded in the Solomon Islands and Bougainville during World War II and in Vietnam, Grenada and Sierra Leone more recently. Scattered hookworm infection cases… Read more »
Editorial – The 1991 Gulf War
Thirty-five years ago, 1872 Australians, including Australian Defence Force (ADF) health personnel, served in the Persian Gulf between August 1990 and the ceasefire in February 1991. While primarily a Royal Australian Navy task group, involving HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Darwin, HMAS Sydney, HMAS Brisbane, HMAS Success and HMAS Westralia in maritime interdiction, sanctions enforcement and replenishment… Read more »
More on the Staff of Asclepius
In a 2010 issue of ADF Health I wrote an article More on the Staff and Serpent of Asclepius (1) describing Asclepian medicine and the Asclepian Temples with a short description of the wooden staff and entwining serpent of Asclepius. At the time I had not found any information on the origin, symbolism or nature… Read more »
Supporting Australian Veterans Presenting with Cognitive Concerns
Introduction Veterans frequently present to general practitioners and non-GP medical specialists with concerns regarding mood, thinking, memory, cognition concerns and in some cases even self-diagnosed dementia Often, the underlying cause is unclear The differential diagnosis might include an undiagnosed mental health condition, a sleep disorder, impacts from alcohol or drug use, dementia, a degenerative neurological… Read more »
Editorial – The Nature and Character of War
Editorial As we enter 2026, consideration needs to be given to various conflicts and touchpoints around the globe, from Ukraine to South Sudan, Middle East to the South China Sea While the Australian Defence Force has not been drawn directly into these conflicts, there remains the potential for escalation, for which we all need to… Read more »
Health Effects of Sport and Volunteering in a Military Context
Abstract When considering military fitness, the focus must be on psychological and physiological ability, which are themselves influenced by health. Health itself is a product of several factors, as will be highlighted in the current study. To assess health and its implications in a military context, a questionnaire was administered to 555 participants during and… Read more »
Building Strength at Home: Addressing Domestic and Family Violence to Prevent Suicide in Australian Defence Communities
Introduction The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has drawn national attention to the urgent need to address suicide among serving and ex serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).1,2 The Commission report includes a series of important recommendations to reduce the prevalence of suicide, many of which are underway Nevertheless, one significant recommendation… Read more »
Relations Between Physical and Emotional Health and Psychological Stress in Trauma-Exposed Veterans with Emotional Disorders
Abstract Background: Exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) is common, especially in veterans. There are psychological sequelae to PTE exposure, including stress and anxiety pathology, depressive symptoms, and PTSD. Identifying veterans at risk for elevated psychological distress following PTEs, as well as distress correlates, is critical to improving mental health screening efforts and minimising downstream… Read more »
Comparing Sense of Control between Veterans and Civilians using the Health and Retirement Study
ABSTRACT Background: Sense of control has been associated with age-related outcomes. Veterans may experience a reduced sense of control due to the sacrifices associated with military service—potentially contributing to increased health problems in this population. Purpose: This study seeks to understand how military service affects the sense of control in older veterans in the United… Read more »
Profiles of Transition: A Cross-sectional Survey of Factors Associated with Civilian Adjustment in Australian Veterans
Abstract Background: This study builds on prior research suggesting that demographics and attributes can better predict positive or negative experiences in the military-to-civilian transition. Purpose: We measured differences in self-reported experience of military-to-civilian transitions on a range of in-service and post-service variables suggested in the literature. Materials and methods: Drawing on a survey of Australian… Read more »
Military Healthcare Ethics —What is New?
Abstract This paper reviews the field of military healthcare ethics since the 2022 review paper published in this journal. NATO STANAG, AMedP-8.19 Military Healthcare Ethics, was published in June 2025. ‘Dual loyalty’ remains at the heart of ethical tensions for military health professionals (MHPs). Current wars in Ukraine and the Middle East challenge the value… Read more »
Periodontitis Cases Superimposed with Mental Health Problems among Military Personnel
Introduction Periodontal diseases affect up to 90% of the global population and have become the most common oral health condition worldwide.1 Periodontitis, one of the well-known periodontal diseases, was estimated at around 62% and severe periodontitis at 23.6% among dentate adults between 2011 and 2020.2 Research on the correlation between periodontal disease and mental health… Read more »
Canadian Armed Forces Suicide Risk and Protection over 16 years
Abstract Introduction: Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) soldiers and veterans face a higher suicide risk than the general population. However, differences between correlates of types of suicide expression, namely suicidal ideation (SI), suicide plans (SP) and suicide attempts (SA), have not been established. This study aimed to identify risk and protective factors for new-onset suicide behaviours… Read more »
Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Unit and European Air Transport Command—A Two-Year European Collaboration in the Field of Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation
Abstract Introduction: The Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Unit (MMU) consists of nine A330 MRTT aircraft based in Eindhoven and Cologne. One is utilised as an aeromedical evacuation (AE) asset on a 24-hour notice-to-move standby. Six European partners participate in the unit. The European Air Transport Command (EATC) is an integrated command of seven… Read more »
Catalogue of Research Investigating the Health of Australian Defence Force Personnel, 2002–2023
Abstract Background The Australian Department of Defence commissioned a scoping review and catalogue of research investigating the health of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, published between 2002 and 2023. Material and methods MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science databases were searched in April 2023 for peer-reviewed studies published… Read more »
Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Immunisation
Abstract: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a flavivirus infection transmitted by Ixodes ticks across Eurasia. Recently, rare indigenous cases of TBE have been reported in the United Kingdom, although most documented traveller infections come from Central Europe. Populations at risk are those undertaking forest activities in the summer, which include some Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel… Read more »
Alcohol and Malaria Recurrence
Abstract: Alcohol was widely believed to induce malaria recurrence in the early 20th century, but no physiological mechanism was recognised. Allied military units during World War II experienced vast numbers of malaria infections without any obvious reported overlap with alcohol ingestion. Historical and recent reports of malaria’s relationship to alcohol have been reviewed and found… Read more »
Social Support and the Military-to-Civilian Transition: A Scoping Review of Methodological Approaches and Measures
Introduction The military-to-civilian transition (MCT) is a significant life change for military personnel. Characterised as the process of leaving the military and returning to family, community and workplace roles,1 a successful transition is widely considered essential for supporting veterans’ wellbeing in civilian life.2 Globally, over 200 000 military personnel transition to civilian life each year.3 While… Read more »
Post-Rescue Deconfliction: Integrating the Tourniquet Traffic Light into Triage for Mass Casualty Surge Reduction
Abstract Evidence suggests that standard triage models are not adequate in threat-moderated settings like terrorist or intentional mass-violence events. Ten Second Triage offers an alternative triage model based on traumatic wounding patterns and immediate interventions for preventable causes of death, rather than physiological parameters. Over-triage may occur due to first responders’ low tolerance for tourniquet… Read more »
Saint Longinus at the Cross – A Veteran’s Story
Abstract Although other historical and Biblical figures prior to St Longinus have demonstrated many aspects of a Spiritual Wound and Injury (SW&I), Saint Longinus is worthy of specific consideration on several levels. To start with, with his seven simple words, ‘Truly this was the Son of God,’ he is the first person to publicly declare… Read more »
Book Review of Spiritual Readiness: Essentials for Military Leaders and Chaplains
Spiritual Readiness: Essentials for Military Leaders and Chaplains by Harold G. Koenig, Lindsay B. Carey & Faten Al ZabenNew York. Amazon Books, 2022, ISBN: 9798840830093 (e-book). Reviewed by Darren Cronshaw Modern psychology and contemporary militaries now recognise what ancient religions and philosophies have… Read more »
Cultivating Family Resiliency in the Context of the Military to Civilian Transition and Mental Health Problems
Introduction Relinquishing military employment has the potential to be a life transition laden with emotional, financial, relational and physical stressors for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) families.1-2 This article explores how intimate partners of CAF veterans who have operational service in Atlantic Canada and live with a mental health problem cultivate family resiliency during the military… Read more »
Changes in Stigmatising Beliefs and Help-Seeking Intentions Following a Recreational Peer- Based Program for Young People Affected by Military Associated Parental Mental Illness
Abstract Children living in Defence families affected by parental mental illness face increased stressors, pressure for self-sufficiency and potential exposure to adverse outcomes, including future mental illness. Little is known about the impact of mental health early interventions on the help-seeking tendencies of military young people affected by parental mental illness. Similarly, the responsivity of… Read more »
Understanding the Victimization of US Army Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans in US Public
Abstract Previous research suggests that public estimates of mental health problems in US veterans who returned from the deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan exceed actual concerns. The present project examines how sociodemographic factors may contribute to victimising perceptions of US Army Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans by conducting a free word-association task. A total of 245… Read more »
Moral Injury Reconciliation: A Practitioner’s Guide for Treating Moral Injury, PTSD, Grief, and Military Sexual Trauma, by Dr Lewis Jeffery Lee
Review by Chaplain Darren Cronshaw *Dr Lewis Jeffery Lee, Moral Injury Reconciliation: A Practitioner’s Guide for Treating Moral Injury, PTSD, Grief, and Military Sexual Trauma through Spiritual Formation Strategies. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2018. ISBN. 9781785927577. Paperback. 223pp, AUD$47.73 Wars are a health hazard for those who fight in them—at physical but also psychological and unseen… Read more »
General and Specific Benefits from the ADF ARRTS Program
Abstract The present study was part of an evaluation of the Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills (ARRTS) program conducted by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for wounded, injured and ill veterans as an adjunct to their established treatments. Two previous evaluations, one using categorical judgments and one using standardised rating scales, yielded evidence… Read more »
Guilt and It’s Relationship to Mental Illness and Suicide Attempts in an Australian Veteran Population with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
K Kerr, M Romaniuk, S McLeay, S Walker, J Henderson, A Khoo Abstract Background Australian veterans have an increased risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Guilt is a common post-trauma reaction; however, research in this area is limited. Purpose This study aimed to explore the relationship between guilt, PTSD severity, alcohol use, anger, history of… Read more »
Longitudinal Change Resulting from the ADF’s Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills (ARRTS) Program
T J Watt, E James Kehoe Abstract Arts-based activities are increasingly being offered to current and former military members as an adjunct to their established therapeutic interventions. Individuals who undertake arts-based activities have shown reductions in both anxiety and depressive symptoms. However, little is known about the specific mechanisms engaged by these activities or the… Read more »
Health Promotion in the Australian Defence Force
N Westphalen Introduction This article follows previous papers by the author regarding occupational and environmental medicine in the ADF.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 These articles, as well as a recent Productivity Commission inquiry,9 indicate that high workplace illness and injury rates confirm the need to improve the management of hazards associated with ADF workplaces, with better emphasis on prevention…. Read more »
Benefits and Employment and Care for Peer Support Staff in the Veteran Community: A Rapid Narrative Literature Review
C Deans Abstract Background: Veteran services increasingly use peers to support other veterans. There are hypothesised benefits for the service users, service system and peers. Purpose: This rapid narrative literature review sought recommendations for the employment of veteran peers via related reviews: one on the use of mental health peers, and one on the use… Read more »
Adjunct Activities for Mental Health Improvements for Veterans
T Watt, E Kehoe Abstract The disruptive and at times traumatic nature of military service can create mental health issues among veterans. Wounded, injured or ill personnel, even if their physical and psychological rehabilitation goes well, can experience an acute loss of purpose and structure that is provided during their military service, especially post-discharge. It… Read more »
Evaluation of the Online, Peer Delivered ‘Post War: Survive to Thrive Program’ for Veterans with Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Abstract Background: Veterans frequently report barriers to accessing and adhering to first-line treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Online delivery of an evidence-based intervention by a peer-developed program may aid in overcoming these barriers. Purpose: This study evaluated the ‘Post War: Survive to Thrive Program’, an online, peer developed and delivered program, designed to assist… Read more »
Homeless Indigenous Veterans and the Current Gaps in Knowledge: The State of the Literature
J Serrato, H Hassan, C Forchuk Background & purpose: The unique experiences of homelessness for Indigenous Veterans are currently understudied. The purpose of this review was to assess the current literature on homelessness among Indigenous Veterans, to identify the gaps in the existing knowledge base and to provide an insight into future research. Materials &… Read more »
The Effects of the Incompatible “Soldier” Identity Upon Depression in Former Australian Army Personnel
M Kreminski, M Barry, M Platow In recent years, there has been a concerted effort by social psychologists to link the social identity approach with general health and well-being. The research, however, has overlooked that a strong and enduring identity that is incompatible with an individual’s current environment may have a negative effect upon that… Read more »
Eye in the sky: Understanding the mental health of unmanned aerial vehicle operators.
D Wallace, J Costello Abstract Background: Recent conflicts in the Middle East have seen rapid developments in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The Australian Government plans to acquire a number of UAVs to perform a range of operations. Purpose: To determine whether UAV operators are exposed to greater or special risks to their… Read more »
Effects of deployment on mental health in modern military forces: A review of longitudinal studies
Abstract Background. Earlier studies presenting evidence that operational deployment negatively affects mental health outcomes among military personnel and veterans generally have lacked conclusiveness, largely because of cross-sectional or retrospective design. Purpose. To review longitudinal studies investigating mental health outcomes of military personnel deployed in recent conflicts. Methods. MEDLINE database was searched using relevant keywords and… Read more »
2025 AMMA Conference
