Mental Health Outcomes of Premature Discharge from United States Air Force Basic Military Training

• Published in: Military medicine 2020-09, Vol.185 (9-10), p.e1736-e1742
• Main Authors: Smith, Logan M, Stanley, Ian H, Joiner, Thomas E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aftercare; Anxiety; Armed forces; Depression - epidemiology; Female; Florida; Humans; Male; Mental depression; Mental health; Military Personnel; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Patient Discharge; United States - epidemiology; Well being
• ISSN: 0026-4075; 1930-613X
• DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaa110

Abstract Introduction Each year, a substantial proportion of trainees who enter the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Basic Military Training (BMT) are unable to complete training. Reentry to civilian life poses significant challenges, including finding employment, establishing a new career path, and paying for education. To our knowledge, no study has examined the association of discharge from USAF BMT and mental health symptoms. Utilizing a sample of 85 individuals discharged from USAF BMT for reasons other than mental health concerns, the present study aimed to: (1) characterize the severity of current depression and anxiety symptoms; (2) examine the relationship between the severity of current depression and anxiety symptoms and sociodemographic variables; and (3) determine whether or not a trainee agreed with the decision to be discharged from BMT is associated with differing severities of depression or anxiety symptoms. Materials and Methods Participants were individuals who were prematurely discharged from USAF BMT for reasons other than mental health issues. Premature discharge is defined as any trainee who was unable to complete BMT in the USAF and was subsequently sent home. Participants were recruited from online Facebook groups for individuals who were prematurely discharged from USAF BMT. Participants were administered a battery of self-report questionnaires through a web-based survey platform. A structured demographic overview was administered to all participants to assess for age, gender, reason for discharge, amount of time spent in BMT, amount of time spent in medical hold, and whether or not the trainee agreed with the decision to be discharged. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess current symptoms consistent with depression. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) was used to assess current symptoms consistent with anxiety. Descriptive statistics were used to assess overall depression and anxiety rates, and analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were used to analyze group differences. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Florida State University (FSU). Results In total, 85 participants (42.4% = female) were accounted for in these data. Regarding depression symptom severity, 58.8% of participants (n = 50) indicated moderate or higher levels of depression symptoms. Regarding anxiety symptoms, 45.9% of participants (n = 39) indicated moderate or higher levels of anxiety symptoms. There were no signifi