Homecoming of Citizen Soldiers: Postdeployment Problems and Service Use Among Army National Guard Soldiers.
The present study described the types and amount of problems and services sought among returned deployed Army National Guard soldiers (4568 soldiers in 50 units). The study responds to gaps in the research literature to better understand community intervention needs of reservists. About half (48%) of the soldiers reported one or two problems, mostly those of psychological well-being, such as feelings of anger and frustration, upsetting memories, and troubled sleep (34% of the study sample), followed by problems of social support (18%), alcohol use (17%), feelings of isolation including suicidal thoughts (13%), and financial difficulties (11%). Having engaged in direct combat and having wounded or killed someone showed positive relationships with reported problems. One-third (35%) of soldiers who reported having used services went to one service and, generally, soldiers went to services related to their expressed problems. Variance in self-reported problems explained by service use was low, suggesting unsought postdeployment services.
National Center for Veterans Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. jhgriffith@comcast.net.|, 229 North Forest Dune Drive, St. Augustine, FL, 32080, USA. jhgriffith@comcast.net.
James
J
Griffith
D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020380:Needs Assessment; D040921:Stress Disorders, Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000067398:War-Related Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
Army National Guard soldiers; Met need; Postdeployment problems; Service non-use; Service use; Unmet need