Impact of Combat Deployment on Psychological and Relationship Health: A Longitudinal Study

Although previous research has indicated an elevated prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems among veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom following deployment, most of this research has been cross-sectional and has focused on a limited range of military groups and outcome criteria. This investigation was a longitudinal study of U.S. Air Force security forces assigned to a year-long high-threat ground mission in Iraq to determine the degree to which airmen's emotional and behavioral health and committed relationships were adversely impacted by an extended deployment to a warzone. Participants were a cohort of 164 security forces airmen tasked to a 365-day deployment to train Iraqi police. Airmen completed study measures both prior to and 6–9 months following deployment. Rates of deterioration in individual and interpersonal adjustment were both significant and medium to large in magnitude of effect, d = 0.43 to 0.90. Results suggest that the negative effects of deployment are related to levels of traumatic experiences and do not spontaneously remit within the first 6–9 months following return from deployment—particularly among those service members having relatively lower levels of social support. Traditional and Simplified Chinese Abstracts by AsianSTSS 標題：戰鬥部署對心理和關係上健康的影響：一個縱向研究。 撮要：昔日研究指出伊拉克解放及持續支援行動中退役人員在創傷後壓力症(PTSD)和其他精神問題方面有高比率，但研究大多數是橫斷面及聚焦於少數兵種和後果準則。本調查縱向研究美國空軍安全部隊在伊拉克為期一年高風險地面行動中，戰區延伸部署對空軍的情緒和行為健康及親密關係方面影響有多壞。樣本為164名安全部隊空軍士兵被派駐伊拉克一年訓練，當地警察，而在派駐前和六至九個月後作量度。個人及人際適應有明顯惡化，而效果是中到高度的，d=0.43至0.90。結果指出調度部署的負面影響與創傷經歷水平相關，而在派駐後的頭六至九個月未有自然緩解(有較低社交支援軍人中尤其明顯)。 標題：戰鬥部署對心理和關係上健康的影響：一個縱向研究。 撮要：过往研究指出伊拉克解放及持续支持行动中退役人员在创伤后压力症(PTSD)和其他精神问题方面有高比率，但研究大多数是横断面及聚焦于少数兵种和后果准则。本调查纵向研究美国空军安全部队在伊拉克为期一年高风险地面行动中，战区延伸部署对空军的情绪和行为健康及亲密关系方面影响有多坏。样本为164名安全部队空军士兵被派驻伊拉克一年训练，当地警察，而在派驻前和六至九个月后作量度。个人及人际适应有明显恶化，而效果是中到高度的，d=0.43至0.90。结果指出调度部署的负面影响与创伤经历水平相关，而在派驻后的头六至九个月未有自然缓解(有较低社交支持军人中尤其明显)。