Citation

Chapman PL, Elnitsky C, Thurman RM, Pitts B, Figley C, Unwin B. Traumatology 2014; 20(1): 19-23.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Green Cross Academy of Traumatology, Publisher APA Journals)

DOI

10.1037/h0099376

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The U.S. Army Combat Medic faces enormous stress as both soldier and trauma care provider. This study provides an initial assessment of the mental health attitudes and behaviors of these soldiers. To date, there is no known research assessing Combat Medic behavioral health or their help seeking behavior following deployment. Medics who were 12 months post-deployment from a yearlong deployment to combat were compared with a baseline group of Medics who had never been deployed to war. Participants completed a survey containing measures of mental health service utilization, perceived stigma and barriers to care, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Medics screening positive for a mental health issue were more likely to report concerns about stigma and barriers to care compared to those who screened negative. Medics who had deployed to the combat were more likely to screen positive for major depression, and have sought care for mental health issues compared to the baseline group. There were no differences in PTSD screenings between the deployed group and the baseline group.

FINDINGS indicate that depression may be a salient issue for previously deployed Combat Medics.

Language: en