Guard Personnel Research Articles

Happiness, Meaning in Life, and PTSD Symptoms Among National Guard Personnel: A Multilevel Analysis

Protective factors associated with reductions in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have received much less empirical attention than risk factors for PTSD. Happiness and meaning in life are two protective factors that are inversely correlated with PTSD symptom severity, but research to date has primarily considered associations at the participant level, ignoring group-level effects. As a result, little is known about how various characteristics of military units may impact military personnel exposed to traumatic and/or stressful life experiences. In a sample of 997 National Guard personnel assigned to 40 units, we examined associations among happiness, meaning in life, and PTSD symptoms at both the participant and unit level using multilevel modeling. Higher levels of happiness at both the participant and unit level significantly moderated the effect of lifetime trauma exposure with PTSD symptom severity. Meaning in life at both the participant and the unit levels were inversely correlated with PTSD symptom severity. Results suggest that service members tend to report less severe PTSD symptoms if they experience positive emotions more frequently, have a stronger sense of purpose, and are assigned to units with higher levels of happiness and meaning in life. This protective effect may be due to the “transfer” of positive cognitive–affective states from one unit member to another.

Financial Strain, Suicidal Thoughts, and Suicidal Behavior Among US Military Personnel in the National Guard.

Background: Although financial strain is an identified risk factor for suicide among US military personnel, research is limited regarding the specific dimensions of financial strain that confer the greatest risk. Aims: The present study examined the associations among multiple indicators of financial strain, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts in a sample of US National Guard personnel, a high-risk subgroup of the US military. Method: National Guard personnel from Utah and Idaho (n = 997) completed an anonymous online self-report survey. Weighted univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to test hypothesized associations. Results: Lifetime history of suicide ideation was significantly more common among participants reporting recent income decrease, credit problems, and difficulty making ends meet, even when adjusting for other covariates. Lifetime history of suicide attempt was significantly associated with recent foreclosure or loan default, credit problems, and difficulty making ends meet, but only in univariate analyses. Recent credit problems were the only financial strain indicator that significantly predicted a history of suicide attempt among participants with a history of suicide ideation. Limitations: The present study includes self-report methodology and cross-sectional design. Conclusion: Although multiple indicators of financial strain are associated with increased risk for suicidal thinking among National Guard military personnel, credit problems had the strongest association with suicide attempts.

Subtypes of Mental Health Stigma and Barriers to Care Among National Guard Personnel: Results of a Latent Class Analysis

U.S. National Guard (NG) military personnel experience many barriers to care such as limited access to health-care services and geographic separation from service providers. Although stigma and barriers to mental health care have been examined in the military, little is known about how different facets of stigma and barriers to care might impact different military subgroups. In a sample of 965 NG personnel, latent class analysis was used to identify distinct subgroups of stigma and barriers to care. Four groups were identified: no stigma or barriers (31%), mild stigma and barriers (30%), high stigma and career concerns (20%), and moderate stigma and barriers (20%). Classes significantly differed with respect to several demographic characteristics, rates of mental health conditions, and rates of previous suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Results suggest that different subgroups of NG personnel vary with respect to levels of perceived stigma, barriers to care, and mental health needs.

Sleep deprivation in Air National Guard medical personnel responding to simulated disaster-training exercises

ABSTRACT National Guard personnel remain largely unstudied within the sleep research community, despite their unique and important role. In response, the purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of sleep deprivation in National Guard medical personnel from two separate Air Force Bases (AFBs) responding to simulated disaster-training exercises. National Guard medical personnel (N = 77) were fitted with wrist activity monitors (actigraphy) to objectively measure their sleep for 4 days of their civilian time (baseline), followed by a 4-day transition period from civilian to military duty, and a 3–5-day disaster-training exercise. Differences in sleep quantity, quality, and “cognitive effectiveness” were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. Participants’ sleep quantity was significantly reduced from civilian to disaster-training periods, and their cognitive effectiveness also dropped significantly. National Guard medical personnel were sleep-deprived during a simulated disaster-training exercise, which, although a valid proxy for real-world disasters, is likely to be a conservative approximation of the stress and fatigue National Guard personnel experience during crisis response. As such, the need for targeted fatigue-related interventions to safeguard our service members during these critical times is clear.

Влияние ложных срабатываний технических средств обнаружения негативных факторов на построение системы безопасности

Some theoretical aspects for determining the required number of mobile groups involved in objects security assurance from the impact of various negative factors have been considered. A mathematical model, that allow substantiate the required number of groups for timely response to negative factors has been developed. The total number of response teams has been determined and corrected with account for probability of false alarm related to several technical detection means. The influence of placement for technical detection means, and response teams, as well as of negative factors’ characteristics on the catch line tailoring has been shown. The negative factor’s catch line sizes in dependence to the detection means’ concrete location have been calculated. A certainty increase for operation of technical detection means is carried out by determining the regularity of triggering moments, taking into account the appearance of false alarms. An inspection for received signals’ certainty is carried out by guard personnel from response teams. The developed model will allow increase the security system’s response time to the negative factor. The specified models will allow develop the software for modeling of real situations.

Examining the Relationship Between PTSD Symptomatology and Cigarette Smoking Among Ohio Army National Guard Soldiers

Evidence suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases risk for cigarette smoking in civilian and military populations. There is limited evidence about this relationship among National Guard, a group that may be at higher risk of behavioral health concerns compared to Active Component. The current study used cross-sectional data from a clinical subsample of soldiers (N = 455) from the Ohio Army National Guard Mental Health Initiative. Soldiers completed self-report and clinician-rated measures, including demographics, smoking status and intensity, and PTSD. Logistic and multinomial regression methods were used to explore the association between PTSD symptomatology and smoking. Higher PTSD symptom severity was modestly associated with an increased likelihood of being a current (β = 0.02, p = 0.049, OR = 1.02) and heavy smoker (β = 0.04, p = 0.003, OR = 1.04). Reporting more dysphoria or hyperarousal symptoms was modestly associated with an increased likelihood of being a heavy smoker (β = 0.04, p = 0.001, OR = 1.05; β = 0.03, p = 0.03, OR = 1.03). Those with greater PTSD severity are more likely to smoke and have more difficulty quitting; this may have implications for efforts to mitigate the burden of PTSD and smoking among National Guard personnel.

Relationship between Dental Anxiety, Oral Health Related Quality of Life and Oral Health Status of Indian Coast Guard Personnel in Mangalore, Karnataka

Relationship between Dental Anxiety, Oral Health Related Quality of Life and Oral Health Status of Indian Coast Guard Personnel in Mangalore, Karnataka

Methodical recommendations on the professional training of border guard inspectors for the identification of persons and vehicles in the conditions of European integration

The article describes the guidelines for the professional training of border guard inspectors to identify individuals and vehicles in the context of European integration. It is about the need to use information and communication technologies for the educational process and the study of a specific identification problem which requires a visual and multimedia presentation. Methodological recommendations also include great opportunities for studying the problems of identification by the computer training program «Wiek» for defining age-related changes by the appearance, the computer program «Trainer» for the identification of persons by the appearance; the use of training methods for the development of personal qualities necessary for identification realization; organization of trainings on additional special training for border guard personnel; training for professional communication with persons during the procedure of passport control of the first and second lines at checkpoints; game simulation educational, professional and life situations for identifying documents and conducting interviews of business games, etc. Axiological, operational, systemic and learner-centered approaches defined by the author as the most important ones for the formation of professional training of border guard inspectors. Qualitative training of border guard inspectors for the identification of persons and vehicles is possible subject to the principles of scientific accuracy, visual aspects, simplicity if training, as well as to the principles of an individual approach, dialogics and presence of problems.

The Relationship between Post-Battle Experiences and Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness in Three United States Military Samples

Suicide rates within the military are elevated relative to the general population; however, research suggests that many of the suicide risk factors for military personnel are similar to the suicide risk factors for civilians. Given that many military specific experiences (e.g., number of deployments) are not considered robust predictors of either suicidal ideation or behavior, it has been posited that deployment specific experiences (e.g., post-battle experiences) may be better able to explain the increased rates of suicide among military personnel. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the relationship between post-battle experiences and perceived burdensomeness (PB), thwarted belongingness (TB), and suicidal ideation within 3 different military samples: a non-clinical sample of Army National Guard personnel, a non-clinical sample of active duty U.S. Air Force Security Forces personnel, and a clinical sample of U.S. Army personnel receiving outpatient treatment. Post-battle experiences were found to be significantly associated with TB in both non-clinical samples; however, the association between post-battle experiences and TB was non-significant within the clinical sample. Furthermore, results indicated that post-battle experiences were not significantly associated with either PB or suicidal ideation in any of the samples. These findings suggest that in non-clinical samples, post-battle experiences impact a soldier’s ability to feel connected to others. Within clinical samples, results indicate that post-battle experiences may not be a direct contributor to either PB or TB. These results indicate a need for universal intervention promoting interpersonal support of military personnel and their families prior to development of further need for psychological interventions. This upstream approach may decrease further development of TB and potentially prevent suicidal desire.

How Distress Tolerance Mediates the Relationship Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide Constructs in a U.S. Military Sample.

Despite the general suicide rate within the military being comparable to the general population when comparing peers, there are certain branches of the military that have elevated risk. Specifically, the U.S. National Guard has suicide rates that are constantly higher than other military branches and civilian peers. The National Guard are a unique military population in which they frequently transition between military and civilian life. With these unique experiences and heightened risk, military suicide prevention efforts may benefit from further research within this population. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another concern amongst military personnel and has been linked to suicidal behavior. The current study examined the indirect effects that distress tolerance, a protective factor against suicide, has on the relationship between PTSD and constructs within a well-validated theory for suicide (the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory for suicidal behaviors) in a sample of U.S. Army National Guard personnel. Results indicated that distress tolerance had a significant indirect effect on the relationship between PTSD and thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and capability for suicide. These findings are consistent with previous literature examining the relationship between distress tolerance and our outcome variables. These results could have important clinical implications, mainly that intervention strategies targeting distress tolerance could have significant impacts on suicide-relate thoughts.

DESIGN OF PRISON SECURITY INFORMATION SYSTEM USING RFID

Information systems and technology are currently developing rapidly, so computers can beused as security tools automatically with the addition of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)technology. Sattahti security personnel in the detention room are required to always be ready to carryout security, supervision within the scope of the detention room. So far, Sattahti personnel inconducting surveillance and guarding detainees in and out of the room still use padlock locks so thatsecurity is less than the maximum, meeting SOP standards so that some detainees have a chance toescape, so that Sattahti personnel cannot properly monitor prisoners because there is no regulatingsystem detention rooms are better IT-based. Based on the above problems, it is necessary to designand build a detention room security information system using RFID technology. So that every sattahtipersonnel can be accessed in the security system information system database of the detention room.This is very helpful for sattahti personnel in the process of guarding detainees. This system can do anautomatic lock along with the time for each personnel who bring prisoners in and out of the detentionroom, by using serial communication from a personal computer (PC) to a microcontroller (reader RFIDstater kit ID-12 LA) so that it will read the identity card (tag) RFID) every person. This detention roomsecurity information system is useful to accelerate and facilitate personnel in changing duty pickets tothe next personnel regarding the whereabouts of all the strength of the prison guard personnel atSATTAHTI.Keywords: Information on detention room security, RFID

Military sexual trauma and suicidal behavior among National Guard personnel

BackgroundPreliminary evidence suggests military sexual trauma (MST) may be associated with increased risk for suicidal behaviors among active duty military personnel and veterans. Among National Guard personnel, a high-risk subgroup, MST and suicide risk have not received much empirical attention. PurposeTo examine the association of MST with suicide ideation and suicide attempts among National Guard personnel. ProceduresN = 997 National Guard personnel from Idaho and Utah participated in an anonymous online survey. Weighted analyses were conducted to minimize sampling bias. Main findings9% of participants had a history of MST (6% of men, 28% of women). Among participants reporting MST, 68% reported a service member perpetrator and 44% reported a civilian perpetrator (12% reported both). A history of MST was associated with significantly increased risk for lifetime suicide attempt. MST remained a significant predictor of lifetime suicide attempt even when restricting the sample to the subgroup with a history of suicidal thoughts (n = 257, 27% of full sample). When adjusting for premilitary sexual victimization, MST was no longer significantly associated with lifetime suicide attempts, but premilitary sexual victimization was. ConclusionsThe rate of MST among National Guard personnel is comparable to rates among active duty military personnel, although the perpetrators of MST are less likely to be service members. MST is a risk factor for suicide attempts, but premilitary sexual victimization is a relatively stronger risk factor.

Nonsuicidal self-injury, suicide ideation and suicide attempts in the National Guard

BackgroundAmong members of the National Guard, suicide rates are higher than age and sex matched civilian counterparts. Across many civilian samples, nonsuicidal self-injury has emerged as a particularly strong correlate of suicide risk. The current study describes the prevalence and correlates of NSSI and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among National Guard members. MethodsParticipants were 897 National Guard personnel recruited online who completed study measures anonymously. ResultsApproximately 6% of males and 14% of females reported a history of NSSI. Almost one third of the sample reported suicide ideation and 3% of men and 11% of women reported a suicide attempt. NSSI was strongly associated with a history of suicide ideation and attempts. Characteristics of NSSI were similar across men and women. DiscussionReliable access to effective interventions is essential for National Guard members in light of their risk for suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior.

Self-reported health behaviors, including sleep, correlate with doctor-informed medical conditions: data from the 2011 Health Related Behaviors Survey of U.S. Active Duty Military Personnel

BackgroundHealth behaviors and cardiometabolic disease risk factors may differ between military and civilian populations; therefore, in U.S. active duty military personnel, we assessed relationships between demographic characteristics, self-reported health behaviors, and doctor-informed medical conditions.MethodsData were self-reported by 27,034 active duty military and Coast Guard personnel who responded to the 2011 Department of Defense Health Related Behaviors Survey. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were used to estimate cross-sectional associations between (1) demographic characteristics (age, sex, service branch, marital status, children, race/ethnicity, pay grade) and self-reported behaviors (exercise, diet, smoking, alcohol, sleep); (2) demographic characteristics and doctor-informed medical conditions (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, low high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, hyperglycemia) and overweight/obesity; and (3) behaviors and doctor-informed medical conditions.ResultsAmong respondents (age 29.9 ± 0.1 years, 14.7% female), females reported higher intake than men of fruit, vegetables, and dairy; those with higher education reported higher intakes of whole grains; those currently married and/or residing with children reported higher intake of starches. Older age and female sex were associated with higher odds (ORs 1.25 to 12.54 versus the youngest age group) of overweight/obesity. Older age and female sex were also associated with lower odds (ORs 0.29 to 0.65 versus male sex) of doctor-informed medical conditions, except for blood glucose, for which females had higher odds. Those currently married had higher odds of high cholesterol and overweight/obesity, and separated/divorced/widowed respondents had higher odds of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Short sleep duration (< 5 versus 7–8 h/night) was associated with higher odds (ORs 1.36to 2.22) of any given doctor-informed medical condition. Strength training was associated with lower probability of high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and low HDL, and higher probability of overweight/obesity. Dietary factors were variably associated with doctor-informed medical conditions and overweight/obesity.ConclusionsThis study observed pronounced associations between health behaviors—especially sleep—and medical conditions, thus adding to evidence that sleep is a critical, potentially modifiable behavior within this population. When possible, adequate sleep should continue to be promoted as an important part of overall health and wellness throughout the military community.

Healthy Active Duty Military with Lifetime Experience of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Exhibits Subtle Deficits in Sensory Reactivity and Sensory Integration During Static Balance.

Postural control and stress reactivity were investigated in active duty coast guard personnel to determine whether they are sensitive to lifetime effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). A custom-designed and validated virtual reality-based computerized posturography device was used to assess postural stability, whereas emotional reactivity was assessed using the acoustic startle response (ASR), and neurocognitive performance was assessed using the defense-automated neurobehavioral assessment (DANA). It was hypothesized that residual and subtle postural control imbalance and deficits in cognitive and sensory reactivity would be evident in those reporting multiple lifetime mTBI. Active duty military personnel (N = 36; 7 females and 29 males) with no Deployment Limiting Medical Condition were recruited and tested on all assessments. Medical history information provided a history of head injury. Thirty-nine percent of participants reported having a previous mTBI (nine reporting one and five reporting more than one incident). No participant had experienced a head injury within the past year and all were symptom free. A significant effect of number of mTBI was found in the postural assessment (p = 0.002). Lifetime mTBI was associated with suppressed ASR magnitude (p = 0.03) but did not affect neurocognitive performance. The current findings provide new insight into ongoing controversies concerning sensitivity to functional deficits following mTBI and when the window for treatment or restoration ends.

The deepwater horizon oil spill coast guard cohort study: A cross-sectional study of acute respiratory health symptoms

IntroductionOver 8500 United States Coast Guard (USCG) personnel were deployed in response to the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill; however, human respiratory effects as a result of spill-related exposures are relatively unknown. MethodsUSCG personnel who responded to the DWH oil spill were queried via survey on exposures to crude oil and oil dispersant, and acute respiratory symptoms experienced during deployment. Adjusted log binomial regressions were used to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), investigating the associations between oil spill exposures and respiratory symptoms. Results4855 USCG personnel completed the survey. More than half (54.6%) and almost one-fourth (22.0%) of responders were exposed to crude oil and oil dispersants, respectively. Coughing was the most prevalent symptom (19.4%), followed by shortness of breath (5.5%), and wheezing (3.6%). Adjusted analyses showed an exposure-response relationship between increasing deployment duration and likelihood of coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing in the pre-capping period. A similar pattern was observed in the post-capping period for coughing and wheezing. Adjusted analyses revealed increased PRs for coughing (PR=1.92), shortness of breath (PR=2.60), and wheezing (PR=2.68) for any oil exposure. Increasing frequency of inhalation of oil was associated with increased likelihood of all three respiratory symptoms. A similar pattern was observed for contact with oil dispersants for coughing and shortness of breath. The combination of both oil and oil dispersants presented associations that were much greater in magnitude than oil alone for coughing (PR=2.72), shortness of breath (PR=4.65), and wheezing (PR=5.06). ConclusionsResults from the present study suggested strong relationships between oil and oil dispersant exposures and acute respiratory symptoms among disaster responders. Future prospective studies will be needed to confirm these findings.

Moral injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, and suicidal behavior among National Guard personnel.

To empirically examine similarities and differences in the signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and moral injury and to determine if the combination of these 2 constructs is associated with increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in a sample of U.S. National Guard personnel. 930 National Guard personnel from the states of Utah and Idaho completed an anonymous online survey. Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) was used to test a measurement model of PTSD and moral injury. A structural model was next constructed to test the interactive effects of PTSD and moral injury on history of suicide ideation and attempts. Results of the ESEM confirmed that PTSD and moral injury were distinct constructs characterized by unique symptoms, although depressed mood loaded onto both PTSD and moral injury. The interaction of PTSD and moral injury was associated with significantly increased risk for suicide ideation and attempts. A sensitivity analysis indicated the interaction remained a statistically significant predictor of suicide attempt even among the subgroup of participants with a history of suicide ideation. PTSD and moral injury represent separate constructs with unique signs and symptoms. The combination of PTSD and moral injury confers increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and differentiates between military personnel who have attempted suicide and those who have only thought about suicide. (PsycINFO Database Record

Detecting Potential Underreporting of Suicide Ideation Among U.S. Military Personnel

Using a military sample comprised largely of National Guard personnel, zero-inflation negative binomial regression was applied to estimate the effects of indirect, nonface valid indicators of suicide ideation [Thwarted Belongingness (TB), Perceived Burdensomeness (PB), and Hopelessness], in predicting suicide ideation. Data from a sample of 497 military personnel (82.1% male; mage =27.24; range=18-59) were analyzed. TB and the interaction of TB with Hopelessness were significant predictors in the logistic regression, and in the negative binomial regression, the main effects of TB and hopelessness, and the interactions of TB with hopelessness and PB with hopelessness were significant. The findings further indicated that approximately 10% of those not reporting ideation would be predicted to be ideators. Clinically, these results indicate that, in samples reluctant to report ideation, the assessment of suicide risk may improve through the use of relevant measures that do not explicitly reference suicide thoughts.

Facilitated acquisition of the classically conditioned eyeblink response in active duty military expressing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms

ObjectiveLearning diathesis models underscore the role of hyper-conditioning in the development of PTSD following trauma exposure. Eyeblink classical conditioning is one method of examining associative learning biases independent of fear and threat produced by trauma. Facilitated learning is apparent in individuals self-expressing PTSD symptoms, as well as behaviorally inhibited (BI) temperament, a vulnerability factor for PTSD. Here, we examine eyeblink conditioning in active duty military personnel and relate learning with PTSD symptomology. MethodVolunteers were 83 active duty United States Coast Guard personnel (18 females) recruited from small boat stations. Personnel were administered the PTSD Checklist (PCL) to assess current PTSD symptoms using DSM-IV criteria. BI temperament was assessed with the Adult Measure of Behavioural Inhibition (AMBI). Eyeblink conditioning was conducted using a partial reinforcement schedule, whereby paired trials (500-ms pure tone conditioned stimulus co-terminating with a 50-ms air-puff unconditional stimulus) were interpolated with 50% CS-alone trials. ResultsConsistent with previous work, there was a high degree of concordance between BI and incidence of PTSD. Further, PTSD was associated with faster learning during the acquisition period, with conditioned responding sustained through the extinction period. ConclusionsThese results reinforce the relationship between BI and PTSD in an active duty military sample, supporting previous observations in veteran and civilian samples. The conditioning data are consistent with predictions derived from a learning diathesis model of stress and anxiety, suggesting facilitated associative learning may represent an additional vulnerability for the development and maintenance of stress-related pathology.

Risk and Protective Factors for Difficulty Controlling Violent Behavior in National Guard and Reserve Service Members.

Violent behavior is an important problem for military service members and veterans. A representative cohort of U.S. Reserve and National Guard personnel (N = 1,293) were interviewed to assess self-reported problems controlling violent behavior, deployment traumas, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol abuse, and social support. Poisson regression models were used to estimate the associations of violent behavior with risk and protective factors. Problems controlling violent behavior were uncommon among male (3.3%) and female (1.7%) service members. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) showed associations between violent behavior and deployment traumas (aPR = 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.34, 2.08]), PTSD (aPR = 9.95, 95% CI = [5.09, 19.48]), and PTSD symptom severity (aPR for each additional PTSD symptom = 1.07, 95% CI = [1.06, 1.09]). Social support was associated with lower prevalence of violent behavior (aPR = 0.62, 95% CI = [0.52, 0.76]). The association between violent behavior and alcohol abuse was not statistically significant (aPR = 1.94, 95% CI = [0.92, 4.09]). Results were consistent when the population was restricted to personnel who had deployed to a war zone. Problems controlling violent behavior were less common in this cohort than has been documented in other studies. Associations of violent behavior with risk and protective factors are consistent with prior research.