Reassessment of psychological distress and post-traumatic stress disorder in United States Air Force Distributed Common Ground System operators.
The goal of this study was to assess for the main sources of occupational stress, as well as self-reported symptoms of distress and post-traumatic stress disorder among U.S. Air Force (USAF) Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) intelligence exploitation and support personnel. DCGS intelligence operators (n=1091) and nonintelligence personnel (n = 447) assigned to a USAF Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing responded to the web-based survey. The overall survey response rate was 31%. Study results revealed the most problematic stressors among DCGS intelligence personnel included high workload, low manning, as well as organizational leadership and shift work issues. Results also revealed 14.35% of DCGS intelligence operators' self-reported high levels of psychological distress (twice the rate of DCGS nonintelligence support personnel). Furthermore, 2.0% to 2.5% self-reported high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, with no significant difference between groups. The implications of these findings are discussed along with recommendations for USAF medical and mental health providers, as well as operational leadership.
Prince Research and Analytic Solutions, LLC, 2026 Drayton Place, Birmingham, AL 35242.
Lillian
L
Prince
Aerospace Medicine Consultation Division, Neuropsychiatry Branch, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, 2510 Fifth Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7913.
Wayne L
WL
Chappelle
Aerospace Medicine Consultation Division, Neuropsychiatry Branch, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, 2510 Fifth Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7913.
Kent D
KD
McDonald
Neurostat Analytical Solutions, LLC, 540 Sonterra Drive, San Antonio, TX 78258.
Tanya
T
Goodman
Neurostat Analytical Solutions, LLC, 540 Sonterra Drive, San Antonio, TX 78258.
Sara
S
Cowper
Neurostat Analytical Solutions, LLC, 540 Sonterra Drive, San Antonio, TX 78258.
William
W
Thompson
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult