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Mental health and turnover following an initial term of military service
Emily A Schmied1, Robyn M Highfill-McRoy, Gerald E Larson
1Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA 92106, USA.
Objective:
This study compared the rates of mental disorders between Marines who re-enlisted and Marines who separated after 1 term, distinguishing between Marines who were and were not recommended for re-enlistment.
Methods:
Participants included 28,693 male Marines enlisting for 4-year terms between 2002 and 2003, including 9,338 who re-enlisted after 1 term, 18,177 who voluntarily separated after 1 term, and 1,184 who were not recommended for re-enlistment and separated after 1 term.
Results:
Analysis revealed disproportionately high rates of mental disorders among Marines not recommended for re-enlistment (Odds Ratio = 8.5, 95% Confidence Interval 7.5-9.8) compared with Marines who re-enlisted. Mental disorder prevalence was also elevated among service members who voluntarily separated after 1 term (Odds Ratio = 1.2, 95% Confidence Interval 1.1-1.3). Several specific categories of disorders, including personality disorders, substance use disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder, predicted re-enlistment status.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that mental disorders influence personnel retention in diverse ways, including heightened turnover, which could have a substantial impact on military manpower costs.
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