Patterns of alcohol use among Canadian military personnel and their associations with health and well-being.

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 685-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Richer ◽  
Jennifer E. C. Lee ◽  
Jennifer Born
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Canadian Military ◽  
Health And Well Being

scholarly journals Rationale and Methodology of the 2018 Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans Mental Health Follow-up Survey (CAFVMHS): A 16-year Follow-up Survey: Raison D’être Et Méthodologie De L’enquête De Suivi Sur La Santé Mentale Des Membres Des Forces Armées Canadiennes Et Des Anciens Combattants, 2018 (ESSMFACM)

2020 ◽  
pp. 070674372097483
Author(s):  
Tracie O. Afifi ◽  
Shay-Lee Bolton ◽  
Natalie Mota ◽  
Ruth Ann Marrie ◽  
Murray B. Stein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Canadian Armed Forces ◽  
Statistics Canada ◽  
Health And Well Being

Objective: Knowledge is limited regarding the longitudinal course and predictors of mental health problems, suicide, and physical health outcomes among military and veterans. Statistics Canada, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Manitoba and an international team, conducted the Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans Mental Health Follow-Up Survey (CAFVMHS). Herein, we describe the rationale and methods of this important survey. Method: The CAFVMHS is a longitudinal survey design with 2 time points (2002 and 2018). Regular Force military personnel who participated in the first Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.2—Mental Health and Well-Being, Canadian Forces Supplement (CCHS-CFS) in 2002 ( N = 5,155) were reinterviewed in 2018 ( n = 2,941). The World Mental Health Survey–Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition ( DSM-IV) criteria. Results: The CAFVMHS includes 2,941 respondents (66% veterans; 34% active duty) and includes data on mental disorder diagnoses, physical health conditions, substance use, medication use, general health, mental health services, perceived need for care, social support, moral injury, deployment experiences, stress, physical activity, military-related sexual assault, childhood experiences, and military and sociodemographic information. Conclusions: The CAFVMHS provides a unique opportunity to further understand the health and well-being of military personnel in Canada over time to inform intervention and prevention strategies and improve outcomes. The data are available through the Statistics Canada Research Data Centres across Canada and can be used cross-sectionally or be longitudinally linked to the 2002 CCHS-CFS data.

scholarly journals UK veterans’ mental health and well-being before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e049815
Author(s):  
Marie-Louise Sharp ◽  
Danai Serfioti ◽  
Margaret Jones ◽  
Howard Burdett ◽  
David Pernet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hazardous Drinking ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Health And Well Being

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and well-being of UK ex-service personnel (veterans) before and during the pandemic, and to assess associations of COVID-19 experiences and stressors with mental health, alcohol use and loneliness.DesignAn additional wave of data was collected from a longitudinal cohort study of the UK Armed Forces.SettingOnline survey June–September 2020.ParticipantsCohort members were included if they had completed a questionnaire at phase 3 of the King’s Centre for Military Health Research health and well-being study (2014–2016), had left the Armed Forces after regular service, were living in the UK, had consented to follow-up and provided a valid email address. Invitation emails were sent to N=3547 with a 44% response rate (n=1562).Primary outcome measuresCommon mental health disorders (CMDs) (measured using the General Health Questionnaire, 12 items—cut-off ≥4), hazardous alcohol use (measured using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, 10 items—cut off ≥8) and loneliness (University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale— 3 items-cut-off ≥6).ResultsVeterans reported a statistically significant decrease in hazardous drinking of 48.5% to 27.6%, while CMD remained stable (non-statistically significant increase of 24.5% to 26.1%). 27.4% of veterans reported feelings of loneliness. The COVID-19 stressors of reporting difficulties with family/social relationships, boredom and difficulties with health were statistically significantly associated with CMD, hazardous drinking and loneliness, even after adjustment for previous mental health/hazardous alcohol use.ConclusionsOur study suggests a COVID-19 impact on veterans’ mental health, alcohol use and loneliness, particularly for those experiencing difficulties with family relationships. Veterans experienced the pandemic in similar ways to the general population and in some cases may have responded in resilient ways. While stable levels of CMD and reduction in alcohol use are positive, there remains a group of veterans who may need mental health and alcohol treatment services.

A systematic review of psychological training or interventions given to UK military personnel prior to deployment

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjmilitary-2019-001296
Author(s):  
Larissa Harden ◽  
N Jones ◽  
C Whelan ◽  
A Phillips ◽  
A Simms ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Training ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Health And Well Being

IntroductionPredeployment stress management/mental health training is routinely delivered in an effort to mitigate potential adverse psychological effects. Little is known about the effectiveness of such interventions.MethodsA systematic literature review explored research outcomes related to this subject, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines. An electronic database search using key terms identified studies published between January 2007 and March 2019. Comprehensive inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied and study quality was appraised by two reviewers using 12 criteria adapted from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Papers were excluded if they were allocated CASP scores ≤10 out of 24.Results2003 references were identified; 15 papers fulfilled inclusion criteria and quality threshold requirements. Included studies were randomised controlled trial design (n=8), quasi-experimental (n=5), case report (n=1) and cross-sectional (n=1). Duration of follow-up assessment varied from immediately postintervention to 24 months. The included studies were heterogeneous so clear recommendations relating to predeployment training for military personnel could not be made. Although somewhat disparate, predeployment interventions shared the aim of promoting prior to, during and after deployment health and well-being. Social benefits such as improved cohesion and improved stress management skills were identified in some studies, although substantial mental health and well-being benefits were not found.ConclusionsEvidence for the effectiveness of predeployment psychological interventions is scant. Every attempt should be made to use methods and measures to facilitate comparisons across studies, to attempt a longer follow-up timescale and to clarify key trainer characteristics.

scholarly journals Alcohol use among Norwegian workers: associations with health and well-being

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
M B Nielsen ◽  
J Gjerstad ◽  
M Frone
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health And Well Being

It’s all about Whanaungatanga: Alcohol use and older Māori in Aotearoa

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 200-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Herbert ◽  
Christine Stephens ◽  
Margaret Forster
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Shared Meanings ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Common Purpose ◽  
Primary Driver ◽  
Shared Narrative ◽  
Health And Well Being

This study explored the socially shared meanings of alcohol use among Indigenous older Māori in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Using a Māori-centred research approach, hui (meeting/s) were held with five kaupapa whānau (groups with a common purpose), comprising older Māori ( n = 19), who shared their perspectives of alcohol use. Kōrerorero (discussion) from each kaupapa whānau was used to configure a shared narrative of older Māori alcohol use. Alcohol use is understood in the context of whanaungatanga (maintaining relationships) which was identified as the primary driver for older Māori engagement in alcohol use environments. However, participants argued that alcohol is not necessary to experience whanaungatanga and alternative options for alcohol free events that support whanaungatanga were shared. These findings highlight the importance of whanaungatanga among Māori and suggest the need for events and activities that support whanaungatanga, rather than alcohol use, to enhance the health and well-being of older Māori.

Psychological health and well-being among young Irish adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Cleary ◽  
Elizabeth Nixon ◽  
Michael Fitzgerald
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Young People ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Economic Disadvantage ◽  
Health And Well Being

AbstractObjectives: The aim of this study was to examine and describe levels of psychological health and well-being in a group of young people living in Dublin.Method: A sample of 97 young people (50 males, 47 females) were assessed for psychological status, suicidal ideation, substance misuse, contact with the law, self-esteem and locus of control as well as various social indicators such as educational attainment and social connectedness. A screening version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis Diagnosis (SCID) was used to assess psychological functioning and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation was employed to ascertain suicidal ideation. Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and locus of control was measured using a scale devised by Pearlin, Menaghan, Lieberman and Mullan (1981).Results: Symptom levels were high and approximately one fifth of respondents had a probable psychiatric condition (most commonly depression or anxiety). Yet, only a small percentage was receiving treatment for psychiatric difficulties. Over half of the participants had used nonprescription drugs at some time. Alcohol consumption was high, especially amongst male respondents. Over half of those interviewed were categorised as misusing alcohol and/or drugs and participants greatly underestimated their level of alcohol use. Approximately one-quarter had had some contact with the law which was related to deficits in educational attainment and the latter variable was associated with childhood economic disadvantage.Conclusions: These findings suggest that among a sample of 97 young Irish people, a high level of psychiatric symptomatology and excessive use of alcohol is evident. This remains largely untreated as only a small percentage of the group had sought help for psychological difficulties which suggests a need to address the issues of mental health awareness, alcohol use and the accessibility of services. The paper also underlines the association between economic disadvantage and lack of educational attainment with associated linkages to offending.

Diet Quality, a Term Subject to Change over Time

2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 144-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Elmadfa ◽  
Alexa L. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Quality Factors ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Quality Diet ◽  
Important Quality ◽  
Health And Well Being

A high-quality diet is one of the foundations of health and well-being. For a long time in human history, diet was chiefly a source of energy and macronutrients meant to still hunger and give the strength for work and activities that were in general much harder than nowadays. Only few persons could afford to emphasize enjoyment. In the assessment of quality, organoleptic properties were major criteria to detect spoilage and oxidative deterioration of food. Today, food hygiene is a quality aspect that is often taken for granted by consumers, despite its lack being at the origin of most food-borne diseases. The discovery of micronutrients entailed fundamental changes of the concept of diet quality. However, non-essential food components with additional health functions were still barely known or not considered important until recently. With the high burden of obesity and its associated diseases on the rise, affluent, industrialized countries have developed an increased interest in these substances, which has led to the development of functional foods to optimize special body functions, reduce disease risk, or even contribute to therapeutic approaches. Indeed, nowadays, high contents of energy, fat, and sugar are factors associated with a lower quality of food, and products with reduced amounts of these components are valued by many consumers. At the same time, enjoyment and convenience are important quality factors, presenting food manufacturers with the dilemma of reconciling low fat content and applicability with good taste and appealing appearance. Functional foods offer an approach to address this challenge. Deeper insights into nutrient-gene interactions may enable personalized nutrition adapted to the special needs of individuals. However, so far, a varied healthy diet remains the best basis for health and well-being.

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