Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Related Factors in a Sample of Military Forces

Psychological disorders such as stress, anxiety and depression are examples of problems that threat mental health of military forces. Current study was carried out for psychological assessment of a military sample in term of these problems and to find related factors.

A total number of 206 military personnel were selected through a convenient sampling from October to December 2020. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) along with a demographic questionnaire were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using statistical tests such as Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis to assess likely associations between independent and outcome variables (stress, anxiety and depression). 

The mean scores of stress, anxiety and depression were: 4.7±4.6, 3.5± 4.3 and 3.9±4.3 respectively. However, around 16 and 10 percent of participants were diagnosed with severe and very serious states of anxiety and depression respectively and this percent was only 6 about stress. Assessing the relationships between the variables indicated some variables including age, time of military service, and marital status had significant associations with all these three disorders, whereas variables such as job type, military rank and health status had significant relationships at least to one of these disorders. 

Regarding relatively high prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders in the sample under study, it is suggested that more exact studies to assess such disorders in different military forces be performed. The mental health promotion programs especially for high risk people such as those who are older or with higher years of service along with people with higher military ranks or those with chronic disorders are needed.