https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Hoopsick18TRIP

Hoopsick, R. A., Vest, B. M., Homish, D. L., & Homish, G. G. (2018). Combat exposure, emotional and physical role limitations, and substance use among male United States Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers. Quality of Life Research, 27, 137–147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11136-017-1706-2

Combat exposure is a risk factor for poor quality of life for Service members; however, the role of unhealthy life style (e.g., heavy drinking, substance abuse) in the association between combat exposure and quality of life is unknown. Male Soldiers completed an on-line survey regarding their combat exposure, quality of life, and drinking and substance use behaviors to explore this association. Results revealed a negative association between Soldiers' combat exposure and quality of life, and also indicated that heavy drinking and substance abuse behaviors amplified the negative association.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11136-017-1706-2

Deployment
Mental health
Substance use

Army

Guard
Reserve

Active duty service member
Guard/Reserve member

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Quantitative Study
Cross-Sectional Study

Hoopsick, R. A., Vest, B. M., Homish, D. L., Homish, G. G.

Purpose: Combat-exposed soldiers are at an increased risk for health problems that diminish quality of life (QOL) and substance use. We explored the cross-sectional associations between combat exposure and two measures of QOL, and the effect of substance use on those associations. Methods: Data are from the baseline wave of Operation: SAFETY, an ongoing survey-based study of United States Army Reserve/National Guard (USAR/NG) soldiers and their partners. Our sample consisted of male USAR/NG soldiers with a history of deployment (N = 248). Limitations in usual activity due to physical and emotional problems were assessed using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results: Greater combat exposure was independently associated with limitations in usual activity due to physical (regression coefficient = −0.35, 95% CI −0.55 to −0.16, R 2 = 0.09; p < 0.01) and emotional (regression coefficient = −0.32, 95% CI −0.56 to −0.09, R 2 = 0.09; p < 0.01) problems. Combat exposure had a significant interaction with frequent heavy drinking on physical role limitations (regression coefficient = −0.65, 95% CI −1.18 to −0.12, R 2 = 0.12; p < 0.05) and emotional role limitations (regression coefficient = −0.83, 95% CI −1.46 to −0.19, R 2 = 0.12; p < 0.05). Combat exposure also had a significant interaction with lifetime non-medical use of prescription drugs on physical role limitations (regression coefficient = 0.81, 95% CI 0.18–1.45, R 2 = 0.11; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Combat is an unmodifiable risk factor for poor QOL among soldiers; however, frequent heavy drinking and non-medical use of prescription drugs modifies the relationship between combat exposure and QOL. Therefore, substance use is a potential point of intervention to improve QOL among soldiers.

Springer

Article
REACH Publication

Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, State University of New York at Buffalo, RAH
Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, BMV
Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, State University of New York at Buffalo, DLH
Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, State University of New York at Buffalo, GGH