Psychological Screening Procedures for Deploying U.S. Forces

Abstract

This study examined the validity of psychological measures used in screening for the U.S. Army with 885 soldiers before a 6-month peacekeeping rotation in Kosovo. Content validity and construct validity were assessed by evaluating the clinical domains, comparing clinician assessments of functioning, and assessing risk factors for screening positive. Construct validity and content validity were demonstrated. Risks, benefits, and future directions of the Army's psychological screening research program are discussed.

Alcohol Problems, Aggression, and Other Externalizing Behaviors After Return From Deployment: Understanding the Role of Combat Exposure, Internalizing Symptoms, and Social Environment

“…Organizational support was assessed using the 4‐item Perceived Organizational Support scale (Lynch, Eisenberger, & Armeli, ) modified for military populations (Wright et al, ) and rated on a 5‐point scale (1 = “Strongly Disagree” to 5 = “Strongly Agree”). A sample item included: “My organization considers my goals and values”.…”

Reporting Mental Health Symptoms: Breaking Down Barriers to Care with Virtual Human Interviewers

“…Not only are service members more likely to have PTSD than civilians (Vincenzes, 2013;Schreiber and McEnany, 2015) but also as a result of the perceived stigma surrounding the condition (Hoge et al, 2004(Hoge et al, , 2006, they are particularly reluctant to report symptoms (Olson et al, 2004;Appenzeller et al, 2007;Warner et al, 2007Warner et al, , 2008Warner et al, , 2011McLay et al, 2008;Fear et al, 2010;Thomas et al, 2010). The reluctance of service members in the United States Military to report PTSD symptoms is especially intensified when they are screened for mental health symptoms using the official administration of the Post-Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA; Hyams et al, 2002;Wright et al, 2005) since this information becomes documented in their military health records. Indeed, there are pragmatic military career implications (such as the perception of possible future restrictions from certain job placements and from obtaining future security clearances) for having been screened positive for mental health conditions.…”

A2 diagnostic criterion for combat‐related posttraumatic stress disorder

“…After being briefed on the study and the consent process was completed, members of the unit were surveyed in large groups, the survey was scored on site, and those scoring above established cutoff criteria on one of five clinical measures were then interviewed (see Wright, Thomas, et al, 2005, for a description of the program). In addition, 29.7% of those scoring below criteria on the survey were also interviewed as part of the overall assessment program procedures.…”