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Wesemann U, Rowlands K, Renner KH, Konhäuser L, Köhler K, Himmerich H. Impact of life-threatening military incidents during deployments abroad on the relationships between military personnel and their families. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1419022. [PMID: 39091456 PMCID: PMC11291243 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1419022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The influence of deployments on family relationships has hardly been investigated. Following a recently proposed new research strategy, military personnel with and without deployment-related life-threatening military incidents during deployment were compared. The hypothesis was that partner and family relationships of military personnel who experienced such an event would deteriorate more. Methods This study included N = 255 military personnel who had a romantic partner (n = 78 of them had children) when deployed to Afghanistan. Of these, n = 68 military personnel experienced a deployment-related critical event during the deployment, n = 187 did not. Partnership quality was assessed using a semi-structured pre- and post-deployment interview. Results The partner relationships of military personnel who experienced a deployment-related life-threatening military incident during deployment broke up significantly more often. The partner relationships of all military personnel deteriorated significantly, with greater deterioration after deployment in the group who faced such incidents. These results were independent of age, rank or number of previous deployments. In addition, there was a significant deterioration in the relationships between all military personnel and their children with greater deterioration after deployment in the group who faced such incidents. Conclusion Life-threatening military incidents during a deployment abroad appear to have a considerable influence on the quality and stability of the partner and family relationships of military personnel. These findings can be used to inform the development of specific pre- and post-deployment measures and training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Wesemann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katie Rowlands
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karl-Heinz Renner
- Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Bundeswehr University Munich, Neubiberg, Germany
| | - Lucas Konhäuser
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai Köhler
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hubertus Himmerich
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Wesemann U, Renner KH, Rowlands K, Köhler K, Hüttermann N, Himmerich H. Incidence of mental disorders in soldiers deployed to Afghanistan who have or have not experienced a life-threatening military incident-a quasi-experimental cohort study. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1357836. [PMID: 38584933 PMCID: PMC10995976 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1357836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction There is very good international research on deployment-related mental disorders in military personnel. The incidence rates show a very wide range. A new strategy is therefore proposed in order to achieve better standardization and thus better comparability of the studies. In addition to a non-deployed comparison group, we propose to compare deployed soldiers with and without critical military incidents during the deployment. This additional distinction makes it possible to differentiate between the influencing variables of actual threat and general deployment stress. Methods N = 358 male combat soldiers deployed to Afghanistan were included in the study. Clinical interviews were conducted several days before deployment and after deployment. Of them, n = 80 soldiers suffered a life-threatening military incident during deployment, whereas 278 soldiers did not. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for the groups with and without critical military incidents and the new onset for PTSD, anxiety disorders and depressive disorders. Results When comparing both groups, we found significantly higher 1-year incidence rates in the group with critical military incidents: 6.4% vs. 1.1% (OR 6.2) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); 7.0% vs. 1.1% (OR 6.5) for depression; and 15.9% vs. 2.8% (OR 6.6) for anxiety disorders. The 1-year incidence rate of mental multimorbidity (PTSD with anxiety or depression) was 4.8% vs. 0.4% (OR 12.0). Discussion These results indicate that life-threatening military incidents during military deployment are important to mental health. As the different threat levels of the various missions are taken into account, additional predictors could be determined more precisely in further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Wesemann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Renner
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Bundeswehr University Munich, Neubiberg, Germany
| | - Katie Rowlands
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), London, United Kingdom
| | - Kai Köhler
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nils Hüttermann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hubertus Himmerich
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), London, United Kingdom
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Glorieux V, Lo Bue S, Euwema M. Reintegration of crisis services employees: a systematic literature review. JOURNAL OF GLOBAL MOBILITY: THE HOME OF EXPATRIATE MANAGEMENT RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1108/jgm-06-2022-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
PurposeCrisis services personnel are frequently deployed around the globe under highly demanding conditions. This raises the need to better understand the deployment process and more especially, sustainable reintegration after deployment. Despite recent research efforts, the study of the post-deployment stage, more specifically the reintegration process, remains fragmented and limited. To address these limitations, this review aims at (1) describing how reintegration is conceptualised and measured in the existing literature, (2) identifying what dimensions are associated with the reintegration process and (3) identifying what we know about the process of reintegration in terms of timing and phases.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol, the authors identified 5,859 documents across several scientific databases published between 1995 and 2021. Based on predefined eligibility criteria, 104 documents were yielded.FindingsResearch has primarily focused on descriptive studies of negative individual and interpersonal outcomes after deployment. However, this review indicates that reintegration is dynamic, multi-sector, multidimensional and dual. Each of its phases and dimensions is associated with distinct challenges.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research that investigates reintegration among different crisis services and provides an integrative social-ecological framework that identifies the different dimensions and challenges of this process.
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Wesemann U, Hadjamu N, Willmund G, Dolff S, Vonderlin N, Wakili R, Vogel J, Rassaf T, Siebermair J. Influence of COVID-19 on general stress and posttraumatic stress symptoms among hospitalized high-risk patients. Psychol Med 2022; 52:1399-1400. [PMID: 32794442 PMCID: PMC7453354 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720003165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- U. Wesemann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, Bundeswehr Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - N. Hadjamu
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147Essen, Germany
| | - G. Willmund
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology, Bundeswehr Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - S. Dolff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - N. Vonderlin
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147Essen, Germany
| | - R. Wakili
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147Essen, Germany
| | - J. Vogel
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147Essen, Germany
| | - T. Rassaf
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147Essen, Germany
| | - J. Siebermair
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147Essen, Germany
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Crivelli D, Balconi M. Neuroassessment in Sports: An Integrative Approach for Performance and Potential Evaluation in Athletes. Front Psychol 2022; 13:747852. [PMID: 35496262 PMCID: PMC9046725 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.747852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Crivelli
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Davide Crivelli
| | - Michela Balconi
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
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Qiu H, Huang C, Liu Q, Jiang L, Xue Y, Wu W, Huang Z, Xu J. Reliability and validity of the Healthy Fitness Measurement Scale Version 1.0 (HFMS V1.0) in Chinese people. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e048269. [PMID: 34876418 PMCID: PMC8655532 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the reliability and validity of Healthy Fitness Measurement Scale Version 1.0 (HFMS V1.0) for different population cohorts in the city of Guangzhou, Guangdong, China and to provide evidence and tools for further evaluation of healthy fitness of Chinese population and related factors. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Urban neighbourhood and Medical University. PARTICIPANTS Elderly people (n=393; mean age 68.27±6.38 years; 53.18% male), university students (n=390; mean age 19.29±1.29 years; 38.21% male) and urban residents (n=393; mean age 32.23±9.41 years; 44.78% male). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcomes were evaluated the reliability and validity of HFMS V1.0 by internal consistency evaluation, split-half reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent and discriminant construct validity, and factor analysis. RESULTS The Cronbach's α coefficients for HFMS V1.0 were all greater than 0.85 for overall scale of total samples and three individual groups, and the split-half reliability and intragroup correlation coefficients were both greater than 0.70 (p<0.01). The correlation of each item, dimension and subscales ranged from 0.52 to 0.91 (p < 0.01). A total of 10 factors were screened by exploratory factor analysis with the cumulative contribution rate of 61.40%, basically consistent with the theoretical structure of scale. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated good fit: CMIN/DF=3.45, root mean square error of approximation=0.05, GFI=0.91, AGFI=0.90, IFI=0.90, comparative fit index=0.90. CONCLUSION HFMS V1.0 showed acceptable reliability and validity in the test of healthy fitness of general population in Guangzhou. This scale could be a reliable measurement tool for evaluation of healthy fitness and potential risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Qiu
- Operation Management Department, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chen Huang
- Operation Management Department, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Operation Management Department, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lijie Jiang
- The Dean's office, Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunlian Xue
- Information and Statistics Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weixuan Wu
- Operation Management Department, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuomin Huang
- Operation Management Department, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Operation Management Department, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Capacity Limitations and Workplace Problems in Patients With Mental Disorders. J Occup Environ Med 2021; 63:609-613. [PMID: 34184654 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES According to the bio-psycho-social health model of the WHO, chronic illness should not only be described at the level of symptoms, but in respect to capacity limitations. METHODS Patients with common mental disorders (N = 1143, n = 808 employed, n = 581 workplace problems) were investigated concerning their self-rated capacities (Mini-ICF-APP-S). RESULTS Employed patients reported better capacities than unemployed patients. Among the employed patients, those without workplace problems reported better capacities than those with workplace-problems. Different types of workplace-problems were related with specific capacity levels, for example, problems with bullying or conflicts were associated with lower interactional capacities (assertiveness, group integration, dyadic relations), whereas patients with over-taxation problems perceived lower levels of flexibility, competency, structuring of tasks, proactivity and endurance. CONCLUSIONS The capacity self-rating Mini-ICF-APP-S can depict differentiated capacity profiles that may be indicative for specific types of workplace problems.
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Aidman E. Cognitive Fitness Framework: Towards Assessing, Training and Augmenting Individual-Difference Factors Underpinning High-Performance Cognition. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 13:466. [PMID: 32009919 PMCID: PMC6971199 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this article is to introduce the concept of Cognitive Fitness (CF), identify its key ingredients underpinning both real-time task performance and career longevity in high-risk occupations, and to canvas a holistic framework for their assessment, training, and augmentation. CF as a capacity to deploy neurocognitive resources, knowledge and skills to meet the demands of operational task performance, is likely to be multi-faceted and differentially malleable. A taxonomy of CF constructs derived from Cognitive Readiness (CR) and Mental fitness (MF) literature maps into phases of operational cycles from foundational to advanced, mission-ready and recovery. Foundational cognitive attributes, such as attention, executive control and co-action, were hypothesized to be trainable at the initial Cognitive Gym phase. More advanced training targets at the CR phase included stress and arousal regulation, adaptability, teamwork, situation awareness (including detection, sense-making and prediction) and decision making (de-biasing and confidence calibration). The mission-ready training phase is focused on tolerances (to sleep loss, monotony, pain, frustration, uncertainty) and resistance (to distraction, deception or manipulation). Operational Augmentation phase relies on support tools such as decision aids and fatigue countermeasures, while the Recovery phase employs reflexive (e.g., mindfulness), and restorative practices (e.g., nutrition and sleep hygiene). The periodization of cognitive training in this cycle is hypothesized to optimize both real-time cognitive performance and the resilience that enables life-long thriving. One of the most promising avenues of validating this hypothesis is by developing an expert consensus on the key CF ingredients and their relative importance in high-performance settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Aidman
- Land Division, Defence Science & Technology Group, Edinburgh, SA, Australia.,School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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Impact of Crisis Intervention on the Mental Health Status of Emergency Responders Following the Berlin Terrorist Attack in 2016. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2019; 14:168-172. [PMID: 31331414 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2019.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The most common crisis intervention used with German rescue workers is Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). Results regarding its effectiveness are inconsistent. A negative reinforcement of avoidance, due to premature termination of strong emotions during the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), may explain this. The effectiveness of the CISD after terror attacks in Germany has not yet been investigated. METHODS All emergency responders deployed at the terror attack on Breitscheidplatz in Berlin were invited to take part in the study; 37 of the N = 55 participants had voluntarily participated in CISD; 18 had not. RESULTS Participants with CISD showed lower quality of life in psychological health and higher depressive symptomatology. Of these, females had lower quality of life in social relationships, whereas males showed more posttraumatic stress symptoms. Emergency responders from non-governmental organizations had higher phobic anxiety. Emergency medical technicians showed more somatic and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION There is no conclusive explanation for why rescue workers with CISD score worse on certain measures. It is possible that CISD has a harmful influence due to negative reinforcement, or that there was a selection effect. Further research differentiating occupational group, sex, and type of event is necessary.
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Willmund GD, Waechter H, Helms C, Wesemann U, Heß J, Seiffert A, Bambridge D, Lutz Zimmermann P, Himmerich H. German research perspectives on suicidality and the rationale for future multinational suicide prevention projects among military service personnel. Int Rev Psychiatry 2019; 31:60-74. [PMID: 31041871 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2019.1581146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
As a result of scientific publications indicating that the last two decades have seen an increase in the number of suicides in the US Armed Forces, the topic of suicide in the military of other countries, such as Germany, has also received a lot of attention in media and science alike. Risk factors for suicidal behaviour and suicide were identified in several research projects in the US, Canada, the UK, and Germany. Until now, German suicide research among military service personnel has mainly focused on epidemiological aspects of suicides and suicidality, individual risk factors, sub-groups at risk for suicide, suicides and deployment abroad, and associations of suicide and suicide attempts with acute mental disorders. The key findings are summarized in this review article. Efforts should be made to develop and evaluate risk group-focused and occupation-focused prevention and intervention programs. Future multinational studies should address potential differences between risk groups for fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerd-Dieter Willmund
- a Bundeswehr Centre for Military Mental Health , Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin , Berlin , Germany
| | - Henriette Waechter
- a Bundeswehr Centre for Military Mental Health , Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin , Berlin , Germany
| | - Christian Helms
- a Bundeswehr Centre for Military Mental Health , Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin , Berlin , Germany.,b Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Campus Charité Mitte Berlin , St. Hedwig Hospital , Berlin , Germany
| | - Ulrich Wesemann
- a Bundeswehr Centre for Military Mental Health , Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin , Berlin , Germany
| | - Julius Heß
- c Bundeswehr Centre for Military History and Social Sciences , Potsdam , Germany
| | - Anja Seiffert
- c Bundeswehr Centre for Military History and Social Sciences , Potsdam , Germany
| | - Darren Bambridge
- d Academic Department of Military Mental Health , Weston Education Centre , London , UK.,e Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) , King's College London , London , UK
| | - Peter Lutz Zimmermann
- a Bundeswehr Centre for Military Mental Health , Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin , Berlin , Germany
| | - Hubertus Himmerich
- a Bundeswehr Centre for Military Mental Health , Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin , Berlin , Germany.,e Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) , King's College London , London , UK
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