Erbes Christopher R, Meis Laura A, Polusny Melissa A, Arbisi Paul A
Staff Psychologist, Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research.
Ment Health Fam Med. 2012 Sep;9(3):161-9.
Background The mental health functioning of military spouses and intimate partners prior to the combat deployments of their loved ones is poorly studied. Aims Whereas service members and veterans often receive healthcare directly from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs, family members may be more likely to present in family care settings. An understanding of mental health problems commonly occurring in this population is therefore important. Method National Guard soldiers and their spouses or cohabitating partners (n = 223 couples) were surveyed about mental health symptoms, social functioning and mental health service utilisation one to two months prior to a combat deployment to Afghanistan. Results Screening rates for partner post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, alcohol problems and social impairment were 2.4, 15.3, 3.7 and 10.7%, respectively, and were significantly higher for partners than soldiers with regards to depression and social impairment. The majority of partners screening positive for psychiatric distress did not report utilising mental health services or military support services (i.e. family readiness groups). Clinical implications are discussed.
在其亲人参加战斗部署之前，军人家属和亲密伴侣的心理健康状况鲜有研究。目的：鉴于军人和退伍军人通常直接从军队或退伍军人事务部接受医疗保健，家庭成员可能更倾向于在家庭护理环境中就诊。因此，了解这一人群中常见的心理健康问题很重要。方法：对国民警卫队士兵及其配偶或同居伴侣（n = 223对夫妇）在前往阿富汗参加战斗部署前一到两个月进行了心理健康症状、社会功能和心理健康服务利用情况的调查。结果：伴侣的创伤后应激障碍、抑郁症、酒精问题和社会功能障碍的筛查率分别为2.4%、15.3%、3.7%和10.7%，在抑郁症和社会功能障碍方面，伴侣的筛查率显著高于士兵。大多数筛查出有精神困扰的伴侣未报告使用心理健康服务或军事支持服务（即家庭准备小组）。文中讨论了临床意义。
