%0 Journal Article
%T Mental health diagnosis and occupational functioning in National Guard/Reserve veterans returning from Iraq
%A Christopher R. Erbes
%A PhD
%A Matthew E. Kaler
%A PhD
%A Tamara Schult
%A MPH
%A Melissa A. Polusny
%A PhD
%J Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
%D 2011
%I Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs
%X Occupational functioning represents both an important outcome for military servicemembers returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom and a predictor for long-term mental health functioning. We investigated the role of mental health diagnoses, determined by structured clinical interviews, on occupational functioning in a group of 262 National Guard/Reserve servicemembers within 1 year of returning from a 16-month OIF combat deployment. We assessed occupational functioning at the time of diagnostic interviews and 1 year later. We hypothesized that servicemembers with diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and/or alcohol abuse or dependence would exhibit lower rates of employment at both time points and lower rates of reported work and/or school role functioning. Servicemembers with a diagnosis of PTSD (5%, n = 13), subthreshold PTSD (6%, n = 15), a major depressive disorder (11%, n = 29), or alcohol abuse or dependence (11%, n = 28) did not differ on employment status from servicemembers without a diagnosis at either time point. However, those with a diagnosis of PTSD, depression, and/or alcohol abuse or dependence reported lower levels of work role functioning. In addition, servicemembers with a diagnosis of PTSD reported greater rates of deterioration in work role functioning over time.
%K lcohol abuse or dependence
%K combat deployment
%K comorbidity
%K depression
%K employment
%K mental health
%K National Guard
%K occupational functioning
%K posttraumatic stress disorder
%K work role functioning
%U http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/11/4810/pdf/erbes4810.pdf