Abstract
Objectives:
To examine self-reported psychological distress (K-6 scale) and mental health treatment among persons with and without active duty U.S. military experience (ADME) currently residing in private residences in the U.S.
Methods:
Analysis of 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 35 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico (n = 202,029 for those answering all K-6 questions, the treatment question, and the ADME question)
Results:
Adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education, overall mean K-6 scores of those with and without ADME were similar (p = 0.3223); however, more of those with, vs. without, ADME reported current mental health treatment (11.7 % vs. 9.6 %, p = 0.0001). Those with ADME receiving such treatment had a higher mean K-6 score (7.7) than those without ADME receiving such treatment (6.9) (p = 0.0032).
Conclusions:
Community-dwelling persons with ADME have similar demographically-adjusted mean K-6 psychological distress scores, but greater likelihood of recent mental health treatment, compared to those without ADME.
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Submitted: 16 October 2008; revised: 10 February 2009; accepted: 12 March 2009
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Safran, M.A., Strine, T.W., Dhingra, S.S. et al. Psychological distress and mental health treatment among persons with and without active duty military experience, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2007. Int J Public Health 54 (Suppl 1), 61–67 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-009-0008-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-009-0008-z