Abstract
The present study examined the impact of deployment on neuropsychological functioning and mood in Army National Guard personnel. We hypothesized that deployment on a peacekeeping mission, compared to non-deployment, would result in reduced proficiencies in neuropsychological performance and negative mood changes, and that such changes would relate to working in a high-strain job (high demands/low control), in accordance with Karasek's demand-control model. This prospective cohort study involved 119 male soldiers (67 participants examined before and after deployment to the Bosnia operational theatre and 52 non-deployed soldiers assessed twice over a comparable period). Unit-level adjusted, multivariate analyses found that deployed soldiers, compared to their non-deployed counterparts, demonstrated reduced proficiency in tasks involving motor speed [unstandardized coefficient B= -3.88, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) -6.38- -1.39; B= -3.84, 95% CI -5.55- -2.14; dominant and non-dominant hand, respectively] and sustained attention (B=0.031, 95% CI 0.009-0.054), along with decreased vigor (B= -2.71, 95% CI -3.63- -1.77). Deployed soldiers also showed improved proficiency in a working-memory task (B= -0.098, 95% CI -0.136- -0.060) with less depression symptomatology (B= -3.19, 95% CI -5.26- -1.13). Work stress levels increased over time in both deployed and non-deployed groups, but observed deployment effects remained significant after accounting for a high-strain job. The observed change in performance associated with peacekeeping deployment compared to non-deployment (slowed processing speed, reduced motor speed and reported vigor, together with improved proficiency in a working memory task) suggests an adaptive response to mission occupational stressors. This pattern does not appear to be influenced by working in a high-strain job. Further study is required to examine whether these results reflect transient or permanent changes in functioning.
Highlights
The analyses addressed two core questions: (i) Arc there changes in neuropsychological fu nctioning and mood associated with serving 011 a peacekeeping deployment? If yes. (ii ) arc the observed deployment-related effects associated with work stress among the deployed group. and supportive of the strain hypothesis in Karasek's demand-control model? Reports from earlier missions to the Bosnia operational theatre under Operation Joint Guard indi Clued the limited presence of life-threatening stressors [26,27], minimizing the confounding influences of severe traumatic stress on neuropsychological functioning and mood
The findings indicate that deployment to Bosnia as part of a peacekeeping mission is associated with. at least in the short-ternl. shi fts in objective cognitive and mOlor task perlonnances characterized by reduced proficiency in tasks of motor speed and sustained attention. and with reduced levels of vigor
Unit-level adjusted, multivariate analyses fo und that deployed soldiers. compared to their non-deployed counterparts. dcmonstrdted reduced proficiency in tasks involving motor speed [unstandardizcd coefficient 8 '" ·3.1!8. 95% c{)flodenec interval (95% e l) -6.38--1 .39: B~ -3.84. 95% CI -5.55- -2.14; domin:m\ and nondominant hand. respectively Ialld sustained allention (B=oO.03I. 95%CI 0.009-0.054). alollg,~;th decreased vigor (B'" -:2.71. 95% CI -].63--1.77)
Summary
This prospcl1ive cOOort study involved 119malc soldiers (67 participallts examined before ami aftcrdcployIlll'flttO the Rosnia operational theatre and 52 roon-dcployed soldiers assessed twice OVCT a coolparah1c period). We obtained approvals from the human subject review committees of the Bostoll University Medical Center ,md the US Army, Office of the Surgeon General. The state-level ARNG Adjutant General reviewed and supported logistical aspects related to the research project. All participants provided written informed consent prior to their participation
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