Many military personnel returning from deployment have significant mental health issues, which may impact family functioning. This descriptive study examines 1,702 child maltreatment incidents involving previously deployed soldiers to identify characteristics associated with intimate partner violence committed on the same day as the child maltreatment incident. Such events were more likely to be committed by male parents, to consist of emotional abuse, and to involve offender alcohol use. Soldier concerns regarding interpersonal conflict predicted co-occurring intimate partner violence, but depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) did not. Better understanding of co-occurrence may suggest opportunities for prevention and early intervention services.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in heavy alcohol use and alcohol-related negative effects among U.S. military personnel stationed in different world regions and to examine factors that may account for regional differences. Method: Data were drawn from the 1998 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors among Military Personnel, which had a large representative sample of active-duty U.S. forces. Heavy alcohol use and related negative effects (severe consequences, productivity loss and alcohol overuse) were examined in four regions (Asia, Europe, Hawaii and continental United States; N = 17,154; 86% men) using multivariate logistic regression models that controlled for demographic factors. Results: U.S. military personnel stationed in Asia were significantly more likely to be heavy alcohol users than personnel stationed in the other regions. Productivity loss was also significantly greater in Asia, whereas severe consequences and alcohol overuse were not. Possible explanations for the findings include local regional culture, availability of alcohol, freedom from restraints, response to stress, military culture and selection effects. Conclusions: Heavy alcohol use of military personnel varies by region of assignment and may be attributable to a variety of factors. Future studies need to examine regional alcohol use in greater detail and to include measures specific to potential explanatory domains to permit a more complete understanding of underlying causal mechanisms of heavy drinking by US. forces in Asia. Current findings suggest that alcohol use prevention and early intervention programs should be tailored to take account of regional differences.

This study examined the relationships between domains of stress (work-related, familyrelated, finances-related, health-related), coping style, substance use, and symptoms of depression with level of job functioning among women and men in the U.S. armed forces. Multivariate cumulative logistic regression analyses were conducted with data from the 1995 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors among Military Personnel. Results showed that both military men and women were nearly twice as likely to report higher levels of stress at work (39%) than in their family or personal lives (22%). In contrast, women (29%) were more likely than men (22%) to experience high levels of family stress. Additionally, 33% of women experienced high stress due to being a woman in the military. The effects of stress and depression on job functioning were quite similar for women and men. For both genders, higher levels of work-related stress, health-related stress, and number of depressive symptoms increased the odds of a lower level of job functioning. In addition, for men only, higher levels of family-related stress, use of a negative coping style, illicit drug use, and being a heavy drinker increased the likelihood of lower job functioning. Findings suggest that it may be useful for military health providers to focus on interventions to identify, prevent, and provide care for stress-related problems and depressive symptoms for military personnel.

Abstract : In this report, we present the findings from the 1995 Department of Defense (DoD) Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Military Personnel, conducted by the Research Triangle Institute of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. We describe substance use, health behaviors related to selected Healthy People 2000 subjects (Public Health Service (PHS), 1991), and progress since 1980 toward achieving health-related goals set forth by the DoD. For this report, 'substance use' includes use of alcohol, other drugs, and tobacco (cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and pipes and cigars). This study is the sixth in a series of surveys of military personnel across the world conducted in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1992, and 1995 under the guidance of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs or OAsD(HA). Ml of the surveys have assessed the prevalence of alcohol use, drug use, and tobacco use; adverse consequences associated with substance use; and since 1982, trends in substance use and related adverse consequences of use. Beginning in 1985, the surveys examined the effect of health behaviors other than substance use on the quality of life of military personnel. In 1988, this emphasis was expanded and oriented around the DoD health promotion objectives and provided information about knowledge of and attitudes toward the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In 1992, in collaboration with the DoD and the Services, we broadened this aspect of the survey even further to give greater emphasis to health risks, knowledge and beliefs about MDS transmission, and nutrition, as well as other special issues, including the impact of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm on substance use rates and the effects of problem gambling in the Military.

Abstract : This study was designed to produce prevalence estimates of a broad range of physical and mental disorders and potential risk factors in Navy and Marine Corps women and men and to make comparisons among and between military populations and civilians. A comprehensive, self-report questionnaire survey was administered to a two-stage, stratified probability sample of 9,859 active-duty, shore-based Navy and Marine Corps personnel worldwide. Although relatively low rates of disorder were found in the military populations examined, female Sailors and Marines, similar to civilians, tended to have higher rates of physical and mental illness, poorer perceptions of their health status, and greater health care and medication use than their male counterparts. Women reported more psychosocial risk factors, such as greater stress, less social support, and a lower quality of life than men. They were more likely to have been abused prior to service entry and be concerned with their weight. A few chronic physical conditions, such as anemia and migraines, were found to be more prevalent among this military sample than reported among civilians. Navy women perceived themselves to be healthier and less stressed than Marine Corps women.

: This report describes the methodology for the assessment of Perceptions of Wellness and Readiness (POWR) among active-duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Supported by the Defense Women's Health Research Program, the purpose of this study was to obtain baseline prevalence and risk factor information on a representative sample of active-duty Navy and Marine Corps women and men worldwide and to provide relevant comparative data with civilian populations. The POWR Assessment consisted of three separate, but complementary components. The first and most comprehensive component was a large-scale survey in which respondents completed an in-depth self-report questionnaire that assessed six key issues including reproductive health, medical history and nutritional status, mental health, lifestyle issues, occupational/environmental risks, and health services issues. This questionnaire study was based on a probability sample of approximately 10,000 active-duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel. The second component consisted of physical measurements taken on a subsample of approximately 1,200 respondents to the main survey. The third component was a telephone interview drawn from volunteers responding to the main survey. This report includes background about the study and discussions of the sampling design, the data collection instruments, data collection methods, and sample weighting and estimation procedures.

Abstract : In this report, we present the findings from the 1995 Department of Defense (DoD) Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Military Personnel, conducted by the Research Triangle Institute of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. We describe substance use, health behaviors related to selected Healthy People 2000 subjects (Public Health Service (PHS), 1991), and progress since 1980 toward achieving health-related goals set forth by the DoD. For this report, 'substance use' includes use of alcohol, other drugs, and tobacco (cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and pipes and cigars). This study is the sixth in a series of surveys of military personnel across the world conducted in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1992, and 1995 under the guidance of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs or OAsD(HA). Ml of the surveys have assessed the prevalence of alcohol use, drug use, and tobacco use; adverse consequences associated with substance use; and since 1982, trends in substance use and related adverse consequences of use. Beginning in 1985, the surveys examined the effect of health behaviors other than substance use on the quality of life of military personnel. In 1988, this emphasis was expanded and oriented around the DoD health promotion objectives and provided information about knowledge of and attitudes toward the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In 1992, in collaboration with the DoD and the Services, we broadened this aspect of the survey even further to give greater emphasis to health risks, knowledge and beliefs about MDS transmission, and nutrition, as well as other special issues, including the impact of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm on substance use rates and the effects of problem gambling in the Military.

: The report presents the results of the 1992 Worldwide Survey of Substance Abuse and Health Behaviors Among Military Personnel. This is the fifth in a series of surveys of military personnel conducted in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1988, and 1992 under the direction of the Department of Defense. All the surveys investigated the prevalence of alcohol use, illicit drug use, tobacco use, the consequences of alcohol use and the consequences of drug use. The 1985 and 1988 surveys also examined health behaviors other than substance use on the quality of life of military personnel. In 1992, the survey was expanded to give greater emphasis to health risks, knowledge and beliefs about AIDS transmission, and nutrition. In addition, in the 1992 survey, the impact of operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm on substance use rates was examined; included questions to assess problem gambling in the military; gathered information to estimate medical costs associated with heavy cigarette smoking and drinking among active duty personnel; and made extensive comparisons with national survey data.... Substance Abuse, Military Personnel, Smoking, Drinking, Health Survey, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Drug Abuse, AIDS, Tobacco, Alcohol, Drug.

: This report presents the results of the 1988 Worlwide Survey of Substance Abuse and Health Behaviors Among Military Personnel. Alcohol use, drug use, and cigarette use have declined significantly since 1980 and are now the lowest since the survey series began. The largest declines are for drug use. As alcohol use and drug use declined, the percentage of military personnel reporting alcohol- and drug-related negative effects also declined. The involvement of military personnel in selected health practices showed a small but significant increase between 1985 and 1988. Military policies and programs appear to be effective in creating an environment conducive to responsible alcohol use and nonuse of drugs. Keywords: Substance abuse, Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, Smoking, Health behaviors, Aids, Negative effects, Trends.

: This report describes the results of the 1986 Youth Attitude Tracking Study Ii conducted by the Research Triangle Institute. This report examines enlistment propensity, economic factors affecting propensity, economic factors affecting propensity, intentions and attitudes towards the military, enlistment incentives, advertising exposure and Service images, and information-seeking and recruiter contact. In addition to the descriptive tabulations, other analyses that simultaneously examine a set of variables for young males and young females are presented. 1985 and 1986 estimates of positive propensity to serve in the active military and Reserve components are presented in a table format. Only three statistically significant changes in propensity levels between 1985 and 1986 were found. Young females showed an increase in propensity toward serving in the Air Force and young males were more likely to express and unaided interest in 1986 compared to 1985.