News Coverage

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Title Source Date
US military members who report poor sleep were less resilient in recent study MedicalXpress 27 May 2016

A new study found that military service members who reported insomnia symptoms or short sleep durations were less resilient than members who reported healthy sleep hygiene. Several physical and mental variables were evaluated as indices of resilience. These variables were, self-rated general health, lost workdays, deployment, completion of service term, and health care utilization.

A Drug to Cure Fear The New York Times 22 January 2016

A study that will be published next month found that the escalating use of stimulants by the military in active duty soldiers, including those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, was strongly correlated with an increase in the rates of PTSD, even when controlling for other factors, like the rate of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The study examined the use of prescription stimulants, like Ritalin and Adderall, and the rates of PTSD in nearly 26,000 military service members between 2001 and 2008, and found that the incidence of PTSD increased along with the prescriptions.

Pentagon study links prescription stimulants to military PTSD risk Los Angeles Times 19 November 2015

Stimulant medications used to treat attention deficit problems and keep service members alert during long stretches of combat might increase vulnerability to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Also reported at:
(e) Science News
Sexual Trauma is Associated with Adverse Outcomes among US Service Women ISTSS Trauma Blog 1 September 2015

This study provides evidence of the negative consequences of sexual trauma to US military women, including decrements in functionality in the workplace and potentially on military readiness. Given the increasing roles and responsibilities of women with the military, prevention and mitigation against sexual trauma should remain a high priority. These data support the urgent need for effective strategies to prevent sexual trauma and provide important information for developing programs to assist women who have experience sexual trauma.

Female Soldiers at No Greater Risk than Men for PTSD MSN 25 August 2015

A new study by the Department of Veterans Affairs found there is no difference in the chances of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, between males and females who have similar experiences, combat included.As a result of carefully looking at veterans' medical histories and life experiences, researchers said the number of PTSD cases among veterans caused specifically by service in Iraq and Afghanistan may be lower than thought.

Combat Deployment Just One Factor That May Cause Smoking U.S. News & World Report 16 April 2015

Combat experience is one of the factors that increases the risk that U.S. soldiers will start smoking, a new study suggests.Researchers analyzed data from a long-term study to assess the long-term health effects of service in the U.S. military. The study began in 2001 and will continue until 2022. The researchers collect survey data every three years.The focus of this study was military personnel who had never smoked or had quit smoking. The researchers wanted to tease out possible factors for either starting or resuming smoking.They found that factors linked to resuming or newly starting a smoking habit included pay grade, service branch, combat deployment, mental health history, stress and individual characteristics.

Also reported at:
NewsWise.com, DoctorsLounge
Study Endorsed by Army's Top Doc Navy.mil 1 October 2014

The Department of Defense's largest longitudinal study in military history received an endorsement from the Army's surgeon general Sept. 19, emphasizing the importance of the Navy-led study across the military services.

Military suicide associated with male gender, mental illness and occupation Combat and Operational Stress Research Quarterly 30 April 2014

Analysis of factors associated with death by suicide during and after military service found that suicide was most common among those with bipolar disorder, depression and alcohol-related problems. Additionally, death by suicide was associated with fewer cumulative days of deployment, the occupation of combat specialist, deployment experience pre-2001 and male gender. Overall, 12.8% of the deaths in the current sample were due to suicide.

Insomnia and poor sleep duration pre-deployment are associated with development of PTSD, anxiety and depression after first deployment Combat and Operational Stress Research Quarterly 30 April 2014

Among service members with no history of mental disorder diagnosis or psychotropic medication prescription, and who screened negative for depression, anxiety, PTSD and panic pre-deployment, 3.4% developed PTSD, less than 1% developed anxiety and less than 2% developed depression after first deployment. Service members who reported sleeping fewer than six hours per night pre-deployment were significantly more likely to develop PTSD than those sleeping seven hours per night. Additionally, those reporting insomnia symptoms pre-deployment were at higher risk for new-onset PTSD, anxiety and depression.

Experts Debate Link Between Deployment And Suicide Risk Forbes.com 19 December 2013

There is a very interesting debate over combat deployment and suicide risk in the December 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.The conversation unfolds in the letters section, and it addresses the results of a JAMA study published in August that suggested military deployment is not associated with suicide risk.

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