Norwegian male military veterans show low levels of mental health problems four years after deployment in Afghanistan.

BACKGROUND

Deployment of soldiers is associated with considerable rates of mental disorders after redeployment.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to identity prevalence of probable mental disorders and associated factors among male Norwegian soldiers at a mean of 4 years following deployment to Afghanistan in 2001-2011.

METHODS

The retrospective questionnaire-based study invited all Norwegian veterans deployed to Afghanistan from 2001-2011 to participate. The response rate was 59%, but only the 3403 men (47.5%) who completed all items of the four different screening instruments were used to define cases with mental health problems were included. Independent variables covered deployment and post-deployment issues.

RESULTS

The prevalence of subjects with mental health problems was 5.1% (95% CI = 4.4-5.9%) of the sample. Among deployment-related factors, physical and mental problems during deployment were most strongly associated with mental health problems after deployment. Among post-deployment factors high neuroticism and limitations in work, social, and family functions showed the strongest associations. In multivariable analysis, younger age at first deployment (OR = 0.95), neuroticism (OR = 6.40), increased current alcohol intake (OR = 3.08), impaired family function (OR = 1.91), more sleep problems (OR =1.13), and increased negative civilian life events (OR = 1.39) remained significantly associated with probable mental disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Among male Norwegian veterans from Afghanistan, the prevalence of mental health problems was low, and mainly associated with post-deployment factors. Veterans complaining of mental symptoms should be diagnosed, treated, and examined for other problems of life.