Probable adjustment disorder in the UK Armed Forces: prevalence, stressors and risk factors among serving personnel and ex-serving personnel.

INTRODUCTION

Little research has focused on adjustment disorder (AjD) in the UK military despite being a frequently reported psychological diagnosis. The study aimed to report prevalence estimates for probable AjD in UK serving and ex-serving personnel and explore associations between stressors and risk factors for probable AjD.

METHODS

Data from the King's Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) Health and Wellbeing study was used. The KCMHR study investigated health and wellbeing outcomes for UK personnel deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan. Data from the third phase (2014-2016) were used (n = 4656); serving personnel (n = 1999) and ex-serving personnel (n = 2657).

RESULTS

A probable AjD prevalence of 6.0 % for serving personnel (95 % CI: 4.9 % - 7.5 %) and 7.1 % for ex-serving personnel (95 % CI: 6.0 % - 8.3 %) was identified. Relationship dissatisfaction and financial difficulties had the strongest association with probable AjD. Being in a combat role and being single were positively associated with AjD, while senior rank was protective. Childhood adversities and externalising behaviours were associated with adult AjD. Risk factors differed depending on serving status.

LIMITATIONS: Several established mental health measures were used to identify probable AjD opposed to the 'gold-standard' screening tool, of which the development was too late to include in the study.

CONCLUSION

The findings provide foundational knowledge of AjD for the UK military. In addition to military-specific factors, non-military stressors and risk factors were identified, which mapped onto those seen in the general population. Further exploration is recommended to understand AjD differences between civilian and military populations.