Problem drinking recognition among UK military personnel: prevalence and associations.
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol
; 58(2): 193-203, 2023 Feb.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35661230
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Despite the higher prevalence of problem drinking in the UK military compared to the general population, problem recognition appears to be low, and little is known about which groups are more likely to recognise a problem. This study examined prevalence of problem drinking recognition and its associations.METHODS:
We analysed data from 6400 regular serving and ex-serving personnel, collected in phase 3 (2014-2016) of the King's Centre for Military Health Research cohort study. MEASUREMENTS Participants provided sociodemographic, military, health and impairment, life experiences, problem drinking, and problem recognition information. Problem drinking was categorised as scores ≥ 16 in the AUDIT questionnaire. Associations with problem recognition were examined with weighted logistic regressions.FINDINGS:
Among personnel meeting criteria for problem drinking, 49% recognised the problem. Recognition was most strongly associated (ORs ≥ 2.50) with experiencing probable PTSD (AOR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.64-5.07), social impairment due to physical or mental health problems (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.51-4.79), adverse life events (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.70-4.75), ever being arrested (AOR = 2.99, CI = 1.43-6.25) and reporting symptoms of alcohol dependence (AOR = 3.68, 95% CI = 2.33-5.82). To a lesser extent, recognition was also statistically significantly associated with experiencing psychosomatic symptoms, feeling less healthy, probable common mental health disorders, and increased scores on the AUDIT.CONCLUSION:
Half of UK military personnel experiencing problem drinking does not self-report their drinking behaviour as problematic. Greater problem drinking severity, poorer mental or physical health, and negative life experiences facilitate problem recognition.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Trastornos por Estrés Postraumático
/
Alcoholismo
/
Personal Militar
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol
Asunto de la revista:
CIENCIAS SOCIAIS
/
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
/
PSIQUIATRIA
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Reino Unido