War zone stress without direct combat: the Australian naval experience of the Gulf War.
This study examines psychological stressors reported by Australian Navy Gulf War veterans in relation to the 1991 Gulf War and other military service. Using a 44-item questionnaire, veterans reported few direct-combat encounters during the Gulf War; however, they reported many other stressful experiences, including fear of death and perceived threat of attack, more frequently in relation to the Gulf War than other military service. Reporting of stressful experiences was associated with younger age, lower rank, and deployment at the height of the conflict. These experiences may partly explain increased rates of psychological disorders previously demonstrated in this Navy veteran population. Findings highlight the importance of documenting war experiences in close proximity to deployment, and developing war exposure instruments which include naval activities and which reflect stressors other than those related to direct combat.
Ikin
Jillian F
JF
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. jill.ikin@med.monash.edu.au
McKenzie
Dean P
DP
Creamer
Mark C
MC
McFarlane
Alexander C
AC
Kelsall
Helen L
HL
Glass
Deborah C
DC
Forbes
Andrew B
AB
Horsley
Keith W A
KW
Harrex
Warren K
WK
Sim
Malcolm R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D047830:Gulf War; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009326:Naval Medicine; D012307:Risk Factors; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*