Correlates of Frequent Mental Distress among Active and Former Military Personnel
ABSTRACT
Background: Millions of veterans living in the United States suffer from mental illness. Understanding the correlates of mental illness can help target treatment to individuals in need and prevent mental distress, leading to healthier veterans and lower healthcare costs.
Objective: To examine risk factors for mental illness among those who have served or currently serve in active duty military service in the U.S. armed forces.
Methods: Data were from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between mental distress and age, race, gender, education, income, employment, time since service, marital status, number of dependent children, physical health, sleep, and emotional support among former or active duty military population.
Results: Almost 9% of respondents reported frequent mental distress (FMD). Those with FMD were more likely to be minorities, young, single and female. The unemployed and those in poor physical health also had greater odds of FMD.
Conclusion: Because individuals with physical ailments and lacking employment were most likely to report distress, physical therapy services and programs to address unemployment and poverty can have a positive impact on the mental health of veterans. Education and training programs and physical therapy offices may be excellent sites for FMD screening.
