Depression, anxiety, and stress in partners of Australian combat veterans and military personnel: a comparison with Australian population norms

The role of military service in preventing depression in China: evidence from a nationally representative longitudinal survey

BACKGROUND

Despite recognition in the West that military veterans experience more mental health issues than the general population, little research has focused on this subject in China. This study examined the associations between male veterans' military experience and depression in China.

METHODS

A sample of 12,914 men including 669 veterans was included in the final analysis and propensity score matching, multivariable regressions and fixed effect model were used.

RESULTS

The military experience was associated with a lower likelihood of depression in male veterans. In the subgroup analysis, military experience was associated with a lower likelihood of depression among married and urban male veterans. Military experience was also associated with a lower likelihood of depression in both "junior college and above" and "below junior college" groups. In contrast, evidence was lacking regarding the associations between military experience and depression for unmarried and rural veterans.

CONCLUSIONS

Individual characteristics could influence the relationship between military experience and depression in male veterans, and the mental health of veterans should be paid more attention and guaranteed.

Parental perceptions of social and emotional well-being of young children from Australian military families

INTRODUCTION

Many Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Veteran families are affected by the stressors of Defence family life, including frequent and prolonged parental deployments, and frequent relocations.

OBJECTIVE

To address a gap in information about Defence and Veteran (hereafter Defence) parents' knowledge, confidence and resources to support their young children's well-being and build their resilience.

DESIGN

This study used a mixed methods design to explore Defence parent's perceptions of their young children's (aged 2-8 years) social and emotional well-being and understanding of their children's responses to unique stressors as well as their confidence in providing support. Data from 41 parents were available.

FINDINGS

Overall, parents reported positive well-being evaluation of their children. However, just over a third of parents also reported that their children rarely cope well on two indicators combined (adapting to new situations and sharing negative emotions with others). Significantly, more than half of the parents (61%) were only partially confident in their ability to assist their children to cope with unique stressors in military families. Qualitative data provided further insights into children's struggle with relocations and parental absence and the challenges parents face in supporting them. Parents reported having limited access to effective age- and culturally appropriate resources to support their young children.

DISCUSSION

In a first-of-its kind study, we found that Australian Defence parents reported their young children were coping on most of the key well-being indicators. However, awareness of currently available supports for children remains a barrier as well as access to contextualised, age- and culturally appropriate resources are lacking.

CONCLUSION

There is a need for access to free, quality, online, research-based Australian resources to support young children from Defence families, especially for those living in regional and rural locations and are less likely to have access to mental health and other specialist supports.

Use of home care services by older Veterans and dependants in Melbourne, Australia, 2007-2016

LAY SUMMARY

Military service has an impact on health and well-being across the life course. However, there is little research on older Veterans and dependants who use home care to enable them to remain living in the community. The authors analysed data from a Melbourne, Australia, home care organization’s electronic care records to explore the differences between clients supported by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and clients in the general home nursing population. Results showed the greater needs of and complexity of care utilized by Veterans and dependants. Funding structures and support services need to account for these needs in older age.