Prospective assessment of neuropsychological functioning and mood in US Army National Guard personnel deployed as peacekeepers

Abstract

Objective The present study examined the impact of deployment on neuropsychological functioning and mood in Army National Guard personnel. We hypothesized that deployment on a peacekeeping mission, compared to non-deployment, would result in reduced proficiencies in neuropsychological performance and negative mood changes, and that such changes would relate to working in a high-strain job (high demands/low control), in accordance with Karasek's demand-control model. MethodsThis prospective cohort study involved 119 male soldiers (67 participants examined before and after deployment to the Bosnia operational theatre and 52 non-deployed soldiers assessed twice over a comparable period).Results Unit-level adjusted, multivariate analyses found that deployed soldiers, compared to their non-deployed counterparts, demonstrated reduced proficiency in tasks involving motor speed [unstandardized coefficient B= -3.88, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) -6.38--1.39; B= -3.84, 95% CI -5.55--2.14; dominant and nondominant hand, respectively] and sustained attention (B=0.031, 95% CI 0.009-0.054), along with decreased vigor (B= -2.71, 95% CI -3.63--1.77). Deployed soldiers also showed improved proficiency in a working-memory task (B= -0.098, 95% CI -0.136--0.060) with less depression symptomatology (B= -3.19, 95% CI -5.26--1.13). Work stress levels increased over time in both deployed and non-deployed groups, but observed deployment effects remained significant after accounting for a high-strain job. ConclusionThe observed change in performance associated with peacekeeping deployment compared to non-deployment (slowed processing speed, reduced motor speed and reported vigor, together with improved proficiency in a working memory task) suggests an adaptive response to mission occupational stressors. This pattern does not appear to be influenced by working in a high-strain job. Further study is required to examine whether these results reflect transient or permanent changes in functioning.

Understanding the Neuropsychological Consequences of Deployment Stress: A Public Health Framework

“…Animal and human analogue studies have provided strong evidence that laboratory stress is linked to brain dysfunction, but are limited in the extent to which we can extrapolate to military deployments. We likewise have evidence from longitudinal studies that deployment is associated with subtle longitudinal alterations on performance-based neuropsychological tests (Proctor et al, 2009;Vasterling et al, 2006) but can only infer indirectly that stress is a relevant causal factor. We suggest that a synthesis of these approaches may help refine knowledge regarding deployment stress and neuropsychological functioning.…”

Etiology of depression comorbidity in combat-related PTSD: A review of the literature

“…In three reports, depression symptoms actually declined from preto post-deployment (Larson et al, 2008;Maguen et al, 2004;Proctor, Heaton, Dos Santos, Rosenman, & Heeren, 2009). Two of these studies (Maguen et al, 2004;Proctor et al, 2009) involved peacekeepers, who may not have experienced significant levels of combat exposure. In those cases, the stress of preparing for deployment may have exacerbated mental health issues more than the deployment itself.…”

“…Before deployment anticipatory fears may heighten perceptions of stress and poor mental health. In some studies of peace-keeping missions, this may have contributed to greater symptomology prior to than during or after deployment (Maguen et al, 2004;Proctor et al, 2009). Similarly, personnel returning from deployment may tend to have rose-colored expectations about being home, and this may contribute to an immediate "honeymoon phase" marked by suppressed perception of mental health symptoms.…”

Improved Mood State and Absence of Sex Differences in Response to the Stress of Army Basic Combat Training

“…The POMS has been widely used to investigate mood changes in the civilian population as well as women marines and soldiers during BCT (Lieberman et al, 2014;Lieberman et al, 2008). It has also been used to assess soldiers undergoing rigorous field training in various environmental conditions (Bardwell, Ensign, & Mills, 2003: Johnson, Branch, & McMenemy, 1988Lieberman, Castellani, & Young, 2009), deployed soldiers (Proctor, Heaton, Dos Santos, Rosenman, & Heeren, 2009), and military personnel performing specific military tasks (Johnson & McMenemy, 1989;Knapik et al, 1990).…”