Severity of mental health problems among oef and oif veterans: The influence of coping strategies, social support, and psychological resilience utilized post-deployment

Military service men and women face a number of challenges upon returning from deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan. Stressors prior to, during, and after deployment can greatly affect veterans' mental health status, with rates of depression, alcohol abuse, and relationship dissatisfaction gaining attention among government officials, researchers, and practicing psychologists and psychiatrists. Studies have shown that the presence and severity of mental health issues are not only influenced by the specific stressors encountered but also by the specific coping responses an individual utilizes during times of stress. Furthermore, the quality of social support one perceives and the level of resilience one displays influence one's level of stress, which can indirectly affect overall well-being. The purpose of the present study was to examine the prevalence and severity of mental health problems seen in veterans returning from deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan and the relationships between post-deployment mental health problems and coping responses, social support, and resiliency. A total of 114 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans completed an anonymous online survey consisting of a demographic questionnaire and self-report measures assessing coping responses, social support, resiliency, depression, alcohol use, and relationship satisfaction. Analyses indicated that 70.2% of veterans were at-risk for depression, 19.3% met criteria for alcohol abuse, and 28.3% reported relationship dissatisfaction. In addition, it was demonstrated that greater use of emotion-focused coping, lower levels of perceived social support, and lower levels of resiliency were related to higher levels of these mental health issues. The findings indicate that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are at a significant risk for depression, alcohol abuse, and relationship dissatisfaction post-deployment and that personal resources available at times of stress are related to the severity of mental health problems. Implications for clinical practice and directions for future research are discussed.