Family problems among recently returned military veterans referred for a mental health evaluation

J Clin Psychiatry. 2009 Feb;70(2):163-70. doi: 10.4088/jcp.07m03863. Epub 2009 Feb 10.

Abstract

Context: Existing evidence suggests that military veterans with mental health disorders have poorer family functioning, although little research has focused on this topic.

Objective: To test whether psychiatric symptoms are associated with family reintegration problems in recently returned military veterans.

Design: Cross-sectional survey of a clinical population. Respondents who were referred to behavioral health evaluation from April 2006 through August 2007 were considered for the survey.

Setting: Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Pa.

Participants: 199 military veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan after 2001 and were referred for behavioral health evaluation from primary care (mean age = 32.7 years, SD = 9.1).

Main outcome measures: Measures included the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for psychiatric diagnoses, the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire for depression diagnosis and severity, and screening measures of alcohol abuse and illicit substance use. A measure of military family readjustment problems and a screening measure of domestic abuse were developed for this study.

Results: Three fourths of the married/cohabiting veterans reported some type of family problem in the past week, such as feeling like a guest in their household (40.7%), reporting their children acting afraid or not being warm toward them (25.0%), or being unsure about their family role (37.2%). Among veterans with current or recently separated partners, 53.7% reported conflicts involving "shouting, pushing, or shoving," and 27.6% reported that this partner was "afraid of them." Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms were both associated with higher rates of family reintegration problems.

Conclusions: Mental health problems may complicate veterans' readjustment and reintegration into family life. The findings suggest an opportunity to improve the treatment of psychiatric disorders by addressing family problems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Afghan Campaign 2001-*
  • Alcoholism / epidemiology
  • Alcoholism / psychology
  • Alcoholism / rehabilitation
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Arousal
  • Bipolar Disorder / epidemiology
  • Bipolar Disorder / psychology
  • Bipolar Disorder / rehabilitation
  • Combat Disorders / epidemiology
  • Combat Disorders / psychology*
  • Combat Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology*
  • Depressive Disorder / rehabilitation
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / rehabilitation
  • Family Conflict / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iraq War, 2003-2011*
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Middle Aged
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Philadelphia
  • Psychometrics
  • Referral and Consultation* / statistics & numerical data
  • Role
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Veterans / psychology*
  • Veterans / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult