Year: 2014
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
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.only 23-40% actually obtain professional help.7 Understanding the correlates of mental illness among veterans can help the Veterans Administration (VA) and other veteran support organizations target mental health treatment to individuals who need it, whether they report their needs or not.This study examines the association between potential risk factors and mental distress among current and formerly active duty military personnel using a nationally representative sample of veterans of all ages, races, incomes and backgrounds.We define "active duty" according to the U.S. Census Bureau definition: "Active duty military service includes full-time service, other than training, as a member of the U.S.
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1010156291