title: Predictors of decline in overall mental health, PTSD and alcohol use in OEF/OIF veterans.
abstract: This study identified predictors of worsening mental health (including PTSD and alcohol use) over a 6-month period following return from deployment to Iraq (OIF) or Afghanistan (OIF). Using a national sample of 512 OEF/OIF veterans surveyed within 12 months of return from deployment (T1), and 6 months later (T2), we obtained demographic and deployment characteristics, risk and resilience factors, mental health status, PTSD and alcohol abuse. We performed logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of worse mental health, PTSD or alcohol use between T1 and T2, controlling for initial levels. Of the sample, 14-25% showed clinically worse mental health, PTSD or alcohol use. Each outcome was associated with some shared and some unique predictors. For example, younger age and recent medical care were both associated with worse alcohol use. Lack of adequate deployment training was uniquely associated with worse PTSD symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Science (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA. Electronic address: mark.schultz2@va.gov.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.affiliation: Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Science (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Glickman
authors.affiliation: Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Science (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Susan V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Eisen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000639:trends*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult