previous mental health treatment, and their association with depression in an entry-level, ... llDepartment of Psychiatry. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, ..... may be of benefit in pursuing these objectives. Early detection of.
VOLUME 172
AUGUST 2007
NUMBER 8
MILITARY MEDICINE ORIGINAL ARTICLES Authors alone are responsible for opinions expressed in the contribution and for its clearance through their federal health agency, if required.
MILITARY MEDICINE, 172, 8:795. 2007
Depression in Entry-Level Military Personnel Guarantor: MAJ Christopher H. Warner. MC USA Contributors: MAJ Carolynn M. Warner. MC USA*; MAJ Christopher H. Warner, MC USAf: CPT Jill Breitbach, MSC USAf; Mai James Rachal. USAF MC§; MAJ Theresa Matuszak, MC USASl; CAPT Thomas A. Grieger. MC I Objective: The goal was to determine the prevalence of. and risk factors for, depression in an entry-level U.S. Army population. Method: A cross-sectional survey of U.S. Army soldiers in advanced individual training was performed by using an anonymous self-report survey including demographic data, history (including abuse and psychiatric treatment), and the Patient Health 9uestionnaire-9. Results: Soldiers in advanced Individual training (n = 1,184] were approached, and 1.090 (91.2%; 955 male soldiers and 135 female soldiers) voluntarily chose to participate. Eleven percent reported a psychiatric history. 26% reported a history of abuse, and 15.9% endorsed moderate or more severe current depressive symptoms (male. 15.0%: female, 22.2%). A history of psychiatric treatment (odds ratio, 2.08: 95% confidence interval, 1.21-3.59; p = 0.009) and a history of verbal abuse (odds ratio, 4.11; 95% confidence interval. 2.45-6.90: p = 0.000) placed soldiers at higher risk for depression. Conclusions: Our study shows a higher than expected rate of depression in entry-level training soldiers and identifies some risk factors for depression. This indicates an important need for further study, effective screening, preventive counseling, and early intervention.
•Department of Family Practice, Wm Army Commimlty Hospital, Fort Stewart. GA 31314. tThlrd Infantry Division. Fort Stewart. CA 31314. list Special WaHare Center and School lAirlJome), Fort Bragg, NC 28310. §Department of Psychlatiy, Ehrling Berqulst Clinic. Ofiutt Air Force Base. NE 68113. IDepartment of Psychiatry. General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. Fort [.eonardwood, MO 65437. llDepartment of Psychiatry. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Beihesda. MD 20814. Presented at the 2005 American Psychiatry Association Annual Meeting. May 21-26. 2005, Atlanta, GA. The stated views are those of the authors and do not represent the views or the policy of the Department of Defense, This manuscrtpt was received for review in October 2006, The revised manuscript was atx-epled for publicailon in March 2007,
Introduction his study examines general demographic characteristies, T history of presenice sexual, verbal, and physical abuse, previous mental health treatment, and their association with depression in an entry-level, enlisted military population. Depression is a common mood disorder that impairs both social and occupational fimctioning. The lifetime prevalence rates of depression are 7 to 12% for men and 20 to 25% for women.' Despite the increasing public awareness about mental disorders like depression, many individuals with depression are not identified and do not receive treatment. Primary care clinics are the frontlines for early identification and treatment of behavioral health problems. Each year, one in five primary care patients suffers from a mental illness, whereas
