title: The Australian Defence Force Mental Health Prevalence and Wellbeing Study: design and methods.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Australian Defence Force (ADF) Mental Health Prevalence and Wellbeing Study (MHPWS) is the first study of mental disorder prevalence in an entire military population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The MHPWS aims to establish mental disorder prevalence, refine current ADF mental health screening methods, and identify specific occupational factors that influence mental health. This paper describes the design, sampling strategies, and methodology used in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  At Phase 1, approximately half of all regular Navy, Army, and Air Force personnel (n=24,481) completed self-report questionnaires. At Phase 2, a stratified sub-sample (n=1,798) completed a structured diagnostic interview to detect mental disorder. Based on data from non-responders, data were weighted to represent the entire ADF population (n=50,049).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One in five ADF members met criteria for a 12-month mental disorder (22%). The most common disorder category was anxiety disorders (14.8%), followed by affective (9.5%) and alcohol disorders (5.2%). At risk ADF sub-groups were Army personnel, and those in the lower ranks. Deployment status did not have an impact on mental disorder rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has important implications for mental health service delivery for Australian and international military personnel as well as contemporary veterans.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
authors.forename: Miranda Van
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Hooff
authors.affiliation: Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
authors.forename: Alexander C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: McFarlane
authors.affiliation: Data Management and Analysis Centre, Discipline of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
authors.forename: Amelia K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Searle
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Flinders University, South Australia.
authors.forename: A Kate
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Fairweather-Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Mental Health, Psychology and Rehabilitation Branch, Joint Health Command, Department of Defence, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verhagen
authors.affiliation: Mental Health, Psychology and Rehabilitation Branch, Joint Health Command, Department of Defence, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Benassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans' Affairs, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Stephanie E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Hodson
keywords: Prevalence; affective; alcohol; anxiety; mental disorder; military