Completion of Service in the Israel Defense Forces as a Volunteer with Autism vs Other Psychiatric Disorders: A Survival Analysis

Abstract

Military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is compulsory. As part of the conscription process, individuals undergo a thorough occupational evaluation, which may include advanced psychiatric testing. As a result, some individuals are excluded based on presentations of psychiatric diagnoses, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but they can volunteer with the IDF in special capacities (psychiatric volunteers). This study aimed to examine completion rates and correlates of psychiatric volunteers during the first year of service. We used historical data maintained by the IDF to identify psychiatric volunteers (N = 1,159, 76.9% male, M[SD] age = 19.65[0.94]). Overall, 32.3% (n = 374) of psychiatric volunteers had a diagnosis of ASD and 67.7% (n = 785) had other psychiatric diagnoses. We used survival analysis. Overall, 59.5% (n = 690) of the sample completed their first year of volunteering. Non-ASD compared with ASD psychiatric diagnoses (OR = 2.057) was at greater risk to dropout in the first year. Individuals with ASD are more likely to stay in the military as part of volunteer service than individuals with other psychiatric disorders. Individuals with ASD may meaningfully benefit from – and contribute to – military service.