Psychiatric disorder and separation from military service: a 10-year retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the association between the onset of psychiatric morbidity and separation from military service over a 10-year period (1991-2001).


METHODS
The prevalence of affective, anxiety, somatic, and substance use disorders was assessed in 2,215 male Australian Navy personnel with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.


RESULTS
The onset of a psychiatric disorder during military service was related to a 19% greater risk of separation overall. The majority of those leaving military service did so in the first year after symptom onset. Personnel who remained in service past this period had no significantly elevated risk of separation in subsequent years.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychiatric morbidity represents a significant potential cost to defense forces. Improved recognition and early management of mental health problems among military personnel may improve retention rates.
Creamer
Mark
M
Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, Austin Health Repatriation Campus, P.O. Box 5444, Heidelberg, Victoria 3081, Australia. markcc@unimelb.edu.au
Carboon
Isla
I
Forbes
Andrew B
AB
McKenzie
Dean P
DP
McFarlane
Alexander C
AC
Kelsall
Helen L
HL
Sim
Malcolm R
MR
D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D047830:Gulf War; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008890:Military Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012179:Retirement / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data