The Occupational Burden of Mental Disorders in the U.S. Military: Psychiatric Hospitalizations, Involuntary Separations, and Disability

Abstract

In the military, the occupational impact of mental disorders compared with other medical conditions appears to be mediated not only by greater disease chronicity and severity but also by a variety of behavioral problems including misconduct, legal problems, unauthorized absences, and alcohol/drug-related problems. The study also points to the difficulties inherent in screening for mental disorders prior to entry into military service.

Mental health diagnoses and utilization of VA non-mental health medical services among returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans

“…Our finding that active duty and lower rank veterans had increased utilization may be explained by the greater exposure to combat-related trauma in these veterans who were likely on the front lines. 37 Other factors, such as differential access to private insurance in these generally younger veterans, could also affect utilization of VA care. 38 Our results should be interpreted in light of several limitations.…”

A prospective study of physical fitness, obesity, and the subsequent risk of mental disorders among healthy young adults in army training

“…Multiple adverse occupational outcomes, including absenteeism, reduced productivity, unemployment, disability and high health care utilization, have been linked to mental disorders [2][3][4][5]. In the U.S. military, mental disorders are the most common cause of hospitalizations among military men and second among women (following normal delivery) [6], and are associated with subsequent discharge from service for medical disability, misconduct/ legal problems, and unauthorized work absences [7][8][9]. In addition, military recruits who report a history of a mental health diagnosis generally require a medical waiver prior to entrance into service [10].…”

Gender differences in substance use treatment utilization the year prior to deployment in army service members

“…These work conditions increase the risk of SU, psychological problems, and life-threatening injuries (Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, 2012b;Hoge et al, 2005;Seal et al, 2007;Smith, Zamorski, Smith, Riddle, LeardMann, Wells, et al, 2007b). Military men and women increasingly perform similar military and deployment duties, although differences still exist (Lindstrom et al, 2006;Smith et al, 2007a).…”