Health and Wellbeing Study of Serving and ex-Serving UK Armed Forces Personnel: Phase 4

Abstract: The study has been running since 2003 with the aim of investigating the impact of deployment to Iraq (Operation TELIC) and Afghanistan (Operation HERRICK) on the health and wellbeing of serving and ex-serving personnel. 

Data have been collected over three previous phases - Phase 1 (2004/06), Phase 2 (2007/09), and Phase 3 (2014/16), with the most recent phase taking place over 2022/23. In addition to examining key mental health outcomes such as CMD, probable PTSD and alcohol misuse, this phase also collected new data on additional topics relevant to UK serving and ex-serving personnel including complex PTSD (C-PTSD), loneliness and caring responsibilities.  

For Phase 4 (2022/23), we followed up participants who took part in the previous phase in 2014/16. 4104 participants completed the survey. 69% of the sample had deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan and 72% had left service.  

Read the full article
Report a problem with this article

Related articles

  • More for Researchers

    Examination of the mental health symptoms and stigmatizing attitudes of student servicemembers and Veterans in postsecondary education

    Abstract:Student servicemembers and veterans (SSM/V) face challenges when transitioning from military service into higher education, including mental health concerns and difficulties with academic and social adjustment. This study examined mental health symptoms, adjustment to college, stigma, and help-seeking attitudes among 79 SSM/V enrolled in postsecondary education. Participants completed measures related to depression (PHQ-8), anxiety (GAD-7), posttraumatic stress (PCL-5), adjustment to college (VAC), self-stigma (SSOSH), public stigma (SSRPH), and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help (ATSPPH-SF). Results indicated that average scores reflected mild levels of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Veterans reported significantly higher levels of depressive and PTSD symptoms compared to active-duty servicemembers. Number of deployments was negatively correlated with adjustment scores. Race and ethnicity were found to be significant predictors of help-seeking attitudes. Although college adjustment was negatively correlated with depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, the findings did not reach statistical significance, perhaps due to the limited variability in the sample. Most participants reported generally positive attitudes toward mental health services, though both self-stigma and perceived public stigma were present. Service utilization was high overall, with 76% of participants reporting prior mental health service use and 44% who were currently engaged in treatment at time of survey completion. Findings underscore the importance of addressing cultural factors, deployment experiences, and stigma to improve adjustment, retention, and well-being among SSM/V in postsecondary education.