%0 Journal Article
%T What happens to the mental health of UK service personnel after they return home from Afghanistan?
%J Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps
%D 2015
%A Banwell, Elizabeth
%A Greenberg, N.
%A Smith, Peter
%A Jones, Norman
%A Fertout, M.
%V 162
%N 2
%P 115-119
%X OBJECTIVE: Fear et al identified a small but significant increase in probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in UK military personnel from around 3% in first year post deployment to around 6% by year 5. As yet it is not clear what factors are linked to the increase in probable PTSD, and therefore, serial measurement of poor mental health would be helpful. <br><br>METHOD: Rates of mental ill health among UK service personnel were compared upon deployment completion and at follow-up and identified factors associated with maladjustment. <br><br>RESULTS: Poor mental health symptomatology increased from baseline to follow-up, PTSD symptoms and related functional impairment increased significantly. Poor baseline mental health was predictive of transition and family relationship difficulties. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The results are discussed in relation to encouraging recognition and reporting of symptoms among personnel and their social networks.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I UK Royal Army Medical Corps
%@ 0035-8665
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jramc-2015-000425