Skip to main content

Summary and Implications of Findings

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Understanding Military Workforce Productivity

Abstract

This chapter summarizes key findings and implications emerging from analyses presented in earlier chapters of this book that draw from the 1980 to 2008 Department of Defense (DoD) Surveys of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel (HRB surveys). Following a brief background discussion, the chapter reviews analyses from the 2008 HRB survey of the correlates and predictors of substance abuse, physical health problems, and mental health problems among active duty military service members. This is followed by a discussion of how the health and behavioral health of our active duty service members jointly impact their productivity and readiness as shown by our model of productivity loss. It then considers study limitations, examines programmatic approaches of the military to address challenges of service members, and describes significant issues requiring further research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adler, A. B., Bliese, P. D., & Castro, C. A. (Eds.). (2011). Deployment psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ames, G. M., Cunradi, C. B., Moore, R. S., & Stern, P. (2007). Military culture and drinking behavior among U.S. Navy careerists. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 68(3), 336–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernier, F., Bouchard, S., Robillard, G., Morin, B., & Forget, H. (2011). Enhancing stress management skills in military personnel using biofeedback and immersion in a stressful videogame: A randomized control trial. Journal of Cybertherapy & Rehabilitation, 4, 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bray, R. M., Rae Olmsted, K. L., & Williams, J. (2012). Misuse of prescription pain medications in U.S. active duty service members. In: B. K. Wiederhold (Ed.), Pain syndromes: From recruitment to returning troops: Vol. 91. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series E: Human and Societal Dynamics (pp. 3–16). Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bray, R. M., Brown, J. M., & Lane, M. E. (2013). Alcohol misuse prevention in the military. In: P. M. Miller (Ed.), Interventions for addiction: Comprehensive addictive behaviors and disorders (pp. 769–778). San Diego, CA: Elsevier.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bray, R. M., Brown, J. M., & Williams, J. (2013). Trends in binge and heavy drinking and alcohol consumption-related problems: Implications of combat exposure in the U.S. Military. Substance Use and Misuse, 48(10), 799–810. doi:10.3109/10826084.2013.796990.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bray, R. M., Pemberton, M. R., Hourani, L. L., Witt, M., Rae Olmsted, K. L., Brown, J. M., Weimer, B. J., Lane, M. E., Marsden, M. E., Scheffler, S. A., Vandermaas-Peeler, R., Aspinwall, K. R., Anderson, E. M., Spagnola, K., Close, K. L., Gratton, J. L., Calvin, S. L., & Bradshaw, M. R. (2009). 2008 Department of Defense survey of health related behaviors among active duty military personnel. Report prepared for TRICARE Management Activity, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) and U.S. Coast Guard. Research Triangle Park, NC: Research Triangle Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bray, R. M., Pemberton, M. R., Lane, M. E., Hourani, L. L., Mattiko, M. J., & Babeu, L. A. (2010). Substance use and mental health trends among U.S. military active duty personnel: Key findings from the 2008 DoD Health Behavior Survey. Military Medicine, 175(6), 390–399.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bray, R. M., Rae Olmsted, K. L., Brown, J. M., Witt, M. B., Lane, M. E., Anderson, E. M., et al. (2011). State of the behavioral health of the United States Coast Guard. Research Triangle Park, NC: Research Triangle Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, D. G., Felker, B. L., Liu, C. F., Yano, E. M., Kirchner, J. E., Chank, D., et al. (2007). Prevalence of depression-PTSD comorbidity: Implications for clinical practice guidelines and primary care-based interventions. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 22, 888–889.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clay, R. A. (2011). Stressed in America. Monitor on Psychology, 42, 60–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Defense. (2013). “That Guy” campaign website. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://www.thatguy.com

  • Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2012). Healthy People 2020. Washington, DC. Retrieved September 23, 2013, from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/default.aspx

  • Department of the Air Force. (2010). Air Force Resiliency Program: Deployment transition center concept of operations. Retrieved January 28, 2013, from http://www.ramstein.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-110103-001.pdf

  • Department of the Army. (2012a). Army Regulation 600-85, The Army Substance Abuse Program. Retrieved September 14, 2013, from http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_85.pdf

  • Department of the Army. (2012b). Army 2020: Generating health and discipline in the force ahead of the strategic reset. Washington, DC: Department of the Army.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of the Navy. (2009). OPNAVINST 5350.4D, Navy alcohol and drug abuse prevention and control. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhoh/SiteCollectionDocuments/DAPA_5350_4D1.pdf

  • Dolan, C., & Ender, M. (2008). The coping paradox: Work, stress, and coping in the U.S. army. Military Psychology, 20, 151–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falk, D. E., Yi, H. Y., & Hilton, M. E. (2008). Age of onset and temporal sequencing of lifetime DSM-IV alcohol use disorder relative to comorbid mood and anxiety disorders. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 94, 234–245.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flegal, K. M., Carroll, M. D., Ogden, C. L., & Curtin, L. R. (2010). Prevalence and trends in obesity among U.S. adults, 1999–2008. Journal of the American Medical Association, 303(3), 235–241.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, N., & Jones, N. (2011). Optimizing mental health support in the military: The role of peers and leaders. In A. B. Adler, P. D. Bliese, & C. A. Castro (Eds.), Deployment psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, K. M., & Edlund, M. J. (2005). Self-medication of mental health problems: New evidence from a national survey. Health Services Research, 40, 117–134.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harwood, H. J., Zhang, Y., Dall, T. M., Olaiya, S. T., & Fagan, N. K. (2009). Economic implications of reduced binge drinking among the military health system’s TRICARE Prime plan beneficiaries. Military Medicine, 174, 728–736.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hasin, D., & Kilcoyne, B. (2012). Comorbidity of psychiatric and substance use disorder in the United States: Current issues and findings from the NESARC. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 25, 165–171.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoge, C. W., Terhakopian, A., Castro, C. A., Messer, S. C., & Engel, C. C. (2007). Association of posttraumatic stress disorder with somatic symptoms, healthcare visits, and absenteeism among Iraq war veterans. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164, 150–153.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hourani, L. L., Bray, R. M., Marsden, M. E., Witt, M., Vandermaas-Peeler, R, Schleffler, S., et al. (2007). 2006 Department of Defense survey of health related behaviors in the Reserve Component. Report prepared for the U.S. Department of Defense (Cooperative Agreement No. DAMD17-00-2-0057).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hourani, L. L., Kizakevich, P. N., Hubal, R., Spira, J., Strange, L. B., Holiday, D. B., et al. (2011). Predeployment stress inoculation training for primary prevention of combat-related stress disorders. Journal of Cybertherapy & Rehabilitation, 4, 101–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hourani, L. L., Williams, T. V., & Kress, A. M. (2006). Stress, mental health, and job performance among active duty military personnel: Findings from the 2002 Department of Defense Health related Behaviors Survey. Military Medicine, 171(9), 849–856.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Institute of Medicine (IOM). (2012). Substance use disorders in the U.S. armed forces. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Institute of Medicine (IOM). (2013). Assessment of readjustment needs of veterans, service members, and their families. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson, I. G., Ryan, M. A. K., Hooper, T. I., Smith, T. C., Amoroso, P. J., Boyko, E. J., et al. (2008). Alcohol use and alcohol-related problems before and after military combat deployment. Journal of the American Medical Association, 300(6), 663–675.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jakovljevic, M., Saric, M., Nad, S., Topic, R., & Vuksan-Cusa, B. (2006). Metabolic syndrome, somatic and psychiatric comorbidity in war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: Preliminary findings. Psychiatria Danubia, 18, 169–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, L. M., Van Kampen, E., Miller, R. D., & Engdahl, B. E. (2013). Risk and protective factors associated with symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression, and alcohol misuses in OEF/OIF veterans. Military Medicine, 178(2), 159–165.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jonas, W. B., O’Connor, F. G., Deuster, P., Peck, J., Shake, C., & Frost, S. S. (2010). Why total force fitness? Military Medicine, 175(8), 6–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, B. H., Amoroso, P. J., Canham, M. L., Weyandt, M. B., & Schmitt, J. B. (Eds.). (1999). Atlas of injuries in the U.S. armed forces. Military Medicine, Supplement, 164(8), S1–S633.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, B. H., Canham-Chervak, M., & Sleet, D. A. (2010). An evidence-based public health approach to injury priorities and prevention: Recommendations for the U.S. Military American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 38(1 Suppl), S1–S10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, C. H., & Zillmer, E. A. (2012). Military psychology: Clinical and operational applications (2nd ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenen, K. C., Lyons, M. J., Goldberg, J., Simpson, J., Williams, W. M., Toomey, R., et al. (2003). Co-twin control study of relationships among combat exposure, combat-related PTSD and other mental disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16, 433–438.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lane, M. E., Hourani, L. L., Bray, R. M., & Williams, J. (2012). Prevalence of perceived stress and mental health indicators among Reserve Component and active duty military personnel. American Journal of Public Health, 102, 1213–1220.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lindquist, C. H., & Bray, R. M. (2001). Trends in overweight and physical activity among US military personnel, 1995–1998. Preventive Medicine, 32(1), 57–65.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meredith, L. S., Sherbourne, C. D., Gaillot, S., Hansell, L., Ritschard, H. V., Parker, A. M., et al. (2011). Promoting psychological resilience in the U.S. military. Arlington: Rand Center for Military Health Policy Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Military Health System. (2009). Department of Defense survey of health related behaviors among active duty military personnel: Service program offerings. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://tricare.mil/tma/dhcape/surveys/coresurveys/surveyhealthrelatedbehaviors/downloads/FINALHBProgramSheet_Feb2010.pdf

  • Mullen, M. (2010). On total force fitness in war and peace. Military Medicine, 175(8), 1–2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nash, W. P. (2006) Operational Stress Control and Readiness (OSCAR): The United States Marine Corps Initiative to Deliver Mental Health Services to Operating Forces. In Human dimensions in military operations: military leaders’ strategies for addressing stress and psychological support (pp. 25-1–25-10). Meeting Proceedings RTO-MP-HFM-134, Paper 25. Neuilly-sur-Seine, France: RTO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Office of Applied Studies. (2003). Results from the 2002 National Survey on drug use and health: Summary of national findings (DHHS Publication No. SMA 03-3836, NSDUH series H-ss). Rockville, MC: Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prevention Research Institute. (2013). Prime for life. Lexington, KY: Author. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://www.primeforlife.org/homepage.cfm

  • Rizzo, A., Parsons, T. D., Lange, B., Kenny, P., Buckwalter, J. G., Rothbaum, B., et al. (2011). Virtual reality goes to war: A brief review of the future of military behavioral healthcare. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 18(2), 176–187.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, T. C., Zamorski, M., Smith, B., Riddle, J., WeardMann, C. A., Wells, T. S., et al. (2007). The physical and mental health of a large military cohort: Baseline functional health status of the Millennium Cohort. BMC Public Health, 7, 340.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tanielian, T., & Jaycox, L. H. (2008). Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery. Santa Monica, CA: Center for Military Health Policy Research, Rand Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilk, T., Riviere, L. A., McGurk, D., Castro, C. A., & Hoge, C. W. (2010). Prevalence of mental health problems and functional impairment among active component and National Guard soldiers 3 and 12 months following combat in Iraq. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67, 614–623.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J. O., Bell, N. S., & Amoroso, P. J. (2002). Drinking and other risk taking behaviors of enlisted male soldiers in the US Army. Work, 18, 141–150.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Bray, R.M., Hourani, L.L., Williams, J., Lane, M.E., Marsden, M.E. (2014). Summary and Implications of Findings. In: Understanding Military Workforce Productivity. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-78303-1_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-78303-1_7

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-78302-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-78303-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics