title: Depression in entry-level military personnel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal was to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, depression in an entry-level U.S. Army population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of U.S. Army soldiers in advanced individual training was performed by using an anonymous self-report survey including demographic data, history (including abuse and psychiatric treatment), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Soldiers in advanced individual training (n = 1,184) were approached, and 1,090 (91.2%; 955 male soldiers and 135 female soldiers) voluntarily chose to participate. Eleven percent reported a psychiatric history, 26% reported a history of abuse, and 15.9% endorsed moderate or more severe current depressive symptoms (male, 15.0%; female, 22.2%). A history of psychiatric treatment (odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-3.59; p = 0.009) and a history of verbal abuse (odds ratio, 4.11; 95% confidence interval, 2.45-6.90; p = 0.000) placed soldiers at higher risk for depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study shows a higher than expected rate of depression in entry-level training soldiers and identifies some risk factors for depression. This indicates an important need for further study, effective screening, preventive counseling, and early intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice, Winn Army Community Hospital, Fort Stewart, GA 31314, USA.
authors.forename: Carolynn M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: Christopher H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Breitbach
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rachal
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matuszak
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Grieger
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors