Psychosomatic health of military personnel recruited from minorities and influential factors thereof

Objective 　To evaluate the psychosomatic health of military personnel recruited from minorities, and explore influential factors thereof. Methods 　A total of 11 362 soldiers from several military commands of infantry, navy and air force recruited from different nationalities were selected by random cluster sampling method, and then surveyed with the aid of Chinese Psychosomatic Health Scale. The collected data were analyzed by t-test, correlation analysis, and multivariate stepwise regression analysis. Results 　Generally, the factor scores of respiratory system, cardiovascular system, digestive system and anxiety were significantly lower in personnel recruited from ethnic minorities than those in personnel recruited from Han nationality (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In 1980s, the factor scores of mental health, physical health and total psychosomatic health in minority group were similar to those in Han group (P>0.05), while in 1990s and 2000-2009, the factor scores of mental health, physical health and total psychosomatic health in minority group were lower than those in Han group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Statistical analysis showed that the factor scores of mental health, physical health and total psychosomatic health were significantly negatively correlated with time period and nationality (P<0.01). All time period and nationality factor entered into the regression equation of mental health, physical health and total psychosomatic health (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions 　No significant difference of psychosomatic health was found between minority group and Han military personnel in 1980s, while after 1990 the mental health, physical health and total psychosomatic health in minority personnel have become better than those in Han personnel.