An investigation of the prevalence of depressive symptoms in soldiers during military training

Mental health and meaning in life in Chinese military personnel: a cross-lagged analysis

BACKGROUND

The burgeoning field of research on the dual-factor model of mental health (DFM) has highlighted its significance, yet the applicability of the DFM in military personnel and its longitudinal relationships with different dimensions of meaning in life remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the applicability of the DFM for military personnel and to investigate longitudinal relationships between the dual factors of mental health (negative factor, positive factor) and the two dimensions of meaning in life (presence of meaning, search for meaning) in military personnel.

METHODS

In this study, data were collected in two waves (April and August 2023) from 227 Chinese military personnel. We constructed a dual-factor model with depression as the negative factor and subjective well-being as the positive factor, and we compared it with a single-factor model to determine if DFM could be applied to military personnel. We also constructed a cross-lagged model to investigate longitudinal relationships between depression, subjective well-being, presence of meaning, and search for meaning.

RESULTS

According to the findings, military personnel fit better with the DFM than with the single-factor model. Cross-lagged analysis results revealed that both the presence of meaning and the search for meaning negatively predicted depression and positively predicted subjective well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

The DFM had good applicability among military personnel. Both the presence of meaning and the search for meaning could improve military mental health, suggesting that both dimensions of meaning in life may be potential targets for improving military mental health.

Outdoor light at night and depressive symptoms in male veterans: a multicenter cross-sectional study in China

Previous studies have indicated depression was associated with environmental exposures, but evidence is limited for the association between outdoor light at night (LAN) and depression. This study aims to examine the association between long-term outdoor LAN exposure and depressive symptoms using data from the Chinese Veteran Clinical Research platform. A total of 6445 male veterans were selected from 277 veteran communities in 18 cities of China during 2009‒2011. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Outdoor LAN was estimated using the Global Radiance Calibrated Nighttime Lights data. The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals of depressive symptoms at the high level of outdoor LAN exposure against the low level during the 1 years before the investigation was 1.49 (1.15, 1.92) with p-value for trend < 0.01, and those associated with per interquartile range increase in LAN exposure was 1.22 (1.06, 1.40).

Impact of cold exposure on life satisfaction and physical composition of soldiers

This article has been retracted.

Risk factors and prediction model for mental health in Chinese soldiers

Introduction

This study aimed to explore potential risk factors for mental health concerns, and the prediction model for mental health concerns in Chinese soldiers was constructed through combined eligible risk factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on soldiers under direct command from Gansu, Sichuan, and Chongqing in China, and the soldiers were selected by cluster convenient sampling from 16 October 2018 to 10 December 2018. The Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and three questionnaires (Military Mental Health Status Questionnaire, Military Mental Health Ability Questionnaire, and Mental Quality Questionnaire for Army Men) were administered, including demographics, military careers, and 18 factors.

Results

Of 1,430 Chinese soldiers, 162 soldiers presented mental disorders, with a prevalence of 11.33%. A total of five risk factors were identified, including serving place (Sichuan vs. Gansu: OR, 1.846, 95% CI: 1.028-3.315, P = 0.038; Chongqing vs. Gansu: OR, 3.129, 95% CI, 1.669-5.869, P = 0.003), psychosis (OR, 1.491, 95% CI, 1.152-1.928, P = 0.002), depression (OR, 1.482, 95% CI, 1.349-1.629, P < 0.001), sleep problems (OR, 1.235, 95% CI, 1.162-1.311, P < 0.001), and frustration (OR, 1.050, 95% CI, 1.015-1.087, P = 0.005). The area under the ROC curve by combining these factors was 0.930 (95% CI: 0.907-0.952) for predicting mental disorders in Chinese soldiers.

Conclusion

The findings of this study demonstrate that mental disorders and onset in Chinese soldiers can be predicted on the basis of these three questionnaires, and the predictive value of the combined model was high.

Associations between APOE-, COMT Val108/158Met- and BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms and variations in depressive and anxiety symptoms, sense of coherence and vital exhaustion in the real-life setting of mandatory basic military training

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε, catechol-O-methytranferase (COMT) Val108/158Met and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were shown to affect stress perception and response. The present study explored possible associations between these SNPs and changes in subclinical anxiety- and depressive symptoms, sense of coherence (SOC) and vital exhaustion (VE) during compulsory basic military training. The study encompassed 179 conscripts of a training base in Greece. The neuropsychiatric assessment was based on the Beck Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Antonovsky SOC scale and the Maastricht Questionnaire. It was conducted at three time points of the 19-day basic military training: on day one (baseline), day six (follow-up I) and day 13 (follow-up II). Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square test and cross-sectional time series regression models based on the Skillings-Mack statistic. APOE ε4 non-carriers encountered significant changes in anxiety- and depressive symptoms and SOC (in all cases P < 0.001) over the observation period, whilst ε4 carriers did not. The changes in anxiety, depressive symptoms and SOC attained statistical significance in both BDNF Met66 carriers (in all cases P < 0.001) and non-carriers (P = 0.036; < 0.001; < 0.001, respectively) as well as in COMT Met108/158 carriers (P = 0.004; < 0.001; < 0.001, respectively) and non-carriers (P = 0.02; 0.01; 0.021, respectively. Changes over time in VE were not significant (P > 0.05). The observed resistance of APOE ε4 carriers vs non-carriers to changes in anxiety- and depressive symptoms and SOC when exposed to a stressful environment may point to superior coping capacities of healthy young men carrying the ε4 allele.

Relationship between depression, the family environment, and the coping styles of military recruits: A cross-section study

To understand the self-rated depression scores of military recruits and to analyze the relationship between depression, the family environment, and coping styles.Multistage stratified cluster random sampling was used to study participants who, in September 2014, had enrolled as military personnel in the Xinjiang military. The participants were requested to complete the Chinese versions of the Self-rated Depression Scale (SDS), the Family Environment Scale (FES-CV), and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ). Between-groups comparisons were performed using a t test and Mann-Whitney U test. Correlations were determined utilizing Spearman rank correlation coefficient, and the influencing factors of the SDS scores were analyzed using logistic regression.The average score of the SDS among the 323 participants was 42.53 ± 8.51. Specifically, the score of the "high school and below" group was higher than that of the "college and above" group [i.e., (43.98 ± 8.30)] vs [(40.43.98 ± 8.30) vs (37.94 ± 5.50), P < .05]. The SDS score of the "nonstudent" (i.e., social status before enlistment) group was higher than that of the "student" group [(i.e., 45.00 ± 7.60) vs (40.42 ± 8.02), P < .05] and the SDS score of the "smoking" group was higher than that of the "nonsmoking" group [i.e., (45.33 ± 7.74 vs 40.34 ± 7.58, P < .05)]. In addition, the scores related to the entertainment, organization, and controllability of the SDS≥50 group were lower than those observed for the SDS < 50 group, (i.e., Ps < .05). The SDS score was positively correlated with the SCSQ (r = 0.30) negative copying style score (r = 0.30), positively correlated with the FES-CV contradiction score (r = 0.32), and negatively correlated with the FES-CV knowledge score (r = -0.43), entertainment score (r = -0.42), organization score (r = -0.37), and controllability score (r = -0.28), respectively, (Ps < .05). The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that entertainment was contained in the final regression equation (P < .001) with odds radio (95% confidence interval) of 0.512 (0.319-0.824).A correlation was found between depression among military personnel and their family environment, and entertainment may be a potential protective factor against depression.

Work characteristics and psychological health in East Asian police personnel

In this study, the impact of the psychosocial work environment, namely demand, control and support, upon symptoms of depression and ill-health is examined in a sample of East Asian police personnel. Demand is found to be negatively related to well-being, whereas control and support are positively related. Support and career satisfaction are both examined as potential mediators in the links between demand and control (predictors) and depression and ill-health symptoms (outcomes). Empirical evidence is found for both mediation paths. Potential methodological limitations of the research are considered and possible suggestions for future studies are proposed. Interventions designed to increase control and support alongside assistance for career development are identified as possible effective course of actions.

Depression in military medicine cadets: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Military medicine cadets undergo strenuous military training alongside demanding medical studies. This stressful and complex educational environment can lead to the emergence of depressive symptoms. We investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a cohort of military medicine cadets.

METHODS

We conducted a descriptive questionnaire-based cross-sectional study among Greek military medicine cadets in the undergraduate program of the Hellenic Military School of Combat Support Officers. The Greek translation of the Zung self-rating depression scale questionnaire was used to screen for the presence of depressive symptoms. In addition, demographic, academic and dietary information was collected. The Shapiro-Wilk test of normality, Pearson correlation test, Chi-square test, t-test and Mann Whitney U test were employed for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

We enrolled 55 female and 91 male military medicine cadets with a mean age of 19.84 years (SD = 0.99). The mean Zung crude score was 43.32 (SD = 4.55): 42.8 (SD = 4.43) for female cadets and 43.64 (SD = 4.6) for male cadets. Cadets were further subdivided into low and high risk groups for the presence of depressive symptoms. We identified 57 (39 %) cadets with a total Zung crude score of 45 or above: 21 females and 36 males. Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant differences between the two groups based on gender, year of training, academic performance, alcohol consumption, smoking status, vitamin supplementation, dietary habits or BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in a cohort of military medicine cadets that underscores the need for effective screening and appropriate and timely interventions. We did not identify any related risk factors. Military medicine cadets are exposed to a challenging military and medical training environment, and thus represent a group at risk for development of depression.

Prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated socio-demographic factors among recruits during military training

BACKGROUND

Military training is a stressful and unusual event. It may predispose individuals towards mental health problems. The stress of military training has been shown to result in depressive symptoms that can potentially influence the combat ability of a soldier. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among recruits during military training in Northern Pakistan and analyse the associated socio-demographic factors.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD

The study was carried out at the Mujahid Force Center, Bhimber, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in the North of Pakistan. This is one of the training institutes of the Pakistan Army. The sample population comprised of 313 adult men undergoing military training at Bhimber AJK. General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12) was used to screen for any psychiatric illness, and those with a score>4 were administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to record the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. Age, service type (general duty soldier, cook or clerk), education, level of family income, marital status, tobacco smoking, use of naswar (tobacco based substance), worrying about future and social support status were correlated with depressive symptoms to evaluate the association of these factors with depression in the study population.

RESULTS

Out of 313 recruits screened with GHQ-12, 232 were found to have a score of 4 or more as an indicator of the presence of psychiatric morbidity, and had the BDI administered. Of these 232 recruits, 31.5% had no depressive symptoms, 41.4% had mild, 17.7% had moderate and 9.5% had severe depressive symptoms. With logistic regression, we found significant correlation among depressive symptoms and level of family income, worrying about future and lack of social support.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of depressive symptoms was high among recruits. Special attention should be paid to recruits from low socioeconomic background and those who lack social support and who worry about the future.

Influence of history of brain disease or brain trauma on psychopathological abnormality in young male in Korea : analysis of multiphasic personal inventory test

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to confirm whether brain disease or brain trauma actually affect psychopathology in young male group in Korea.

METHODS

The authors manually reviewed the result of Korean military multiphasic personal inventory (KMPI) in the examination of conscription in Korea from January 2008 to May 2010. There were total 237 young males in this review. Normal volunteers group (n=150) was composed of those who do not have history of brain disease or brain trauma. Brain disease group (n=33) was consisted of those with history of brain disease. Brain trauma group (n=54) was consisted of those with history of brain trauma. The results of KMPI in each group were compared.

RESULTS

Abnormal results of KMPI were found in both brain disease and trauma groups. In the brain disease group, higher tendencies of faking bad response, anxiety, depression, somatization, personality disorder, schizophrenic and paranoid psychopathy was observed and compared to the normal volunteers group. In the brain trauma group, higher tendencies of faking-good, depression, somatization and personality disorder was observed and compared to the normal volunteers group.

CONCLUSION

Young male with history of brain disease or brain trauma may have higher tendencies to have abnormal results of multiphasic personal inventory test compared to young male without history of brain disease or brain trauma, suggesting that damaged brain may cause psychopathology in young male group in Korea.

Health perspectives regarding adolescents in military service

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Our purpose is to illuminate health perspectives of adolescents in military service, who comprise the main bulk of military personnel.

RECENT FINDINGS

Two views are emphasized: the soldier as a developing adolescent and the healthcare of adolescent soldiers. The capacity for abstract thinking and future planning, characteristic of late adolescence, opposes the military challenges of obedience, disengagement from the family, and potential threats for physical injury and mental stress, in addition to the requirement for responsibility beyond the individual's personal needs. On the other hand, at discharge from military service, the mature young adult faces questions of a 17-year-old adolescent. Health perspectives regarding adolescents in military service include physical and mental health screening before draft; recruiting adolescents with chronic illnesses; specific healthcare issues during service, including routine medical care, psychosocial problems of young people in service and approach to suicide and to risk behaviors; health aspects of adolescent women in military frameworks; and the dual commitment of physicians as military officers.

SUMMARY

Professionals who care for the well-being of young people in their late teens and early 20s in military service need to consider the service period as an additional developmental stage within late adolescence that requires attention as part of the comprehensive healthcare.