Katrina J. Waldhauser PhD , Benjamin A. Hives MA , Yan Liu PhD , Eli Puterman PhD , Neika Sharifian PhD , Sheila F. Castañeda PhD , Felicia R. Carey PhD , Rudolph P. Rull PhD , Mark R. Beauchamp PhD , for the Millennium Cohort Study Team
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction
The transition from military to civilian life can bring about substantive challenges for U.S. veterans. The purpose of this study was to examine veterans’ trajectories of psychological health prior to and after separation, and to examine whether veterans who engaged in more physical activity would report better psychological health over time.
Methods
Longitudinal data between 2001 and 2016 from the Millennium Cohort Study were analyzed, which consisted of U.S. military personnel who separated from service, followed up every 3–5 years. Veterans (N=37,464, Mage=36.3 years, SD=10.9 at baseline) who had self-report data collected prior to and on at least 2 time points after separation were analyzed. Psychological health was operationalized via measures of self-reported mental health-related quality of life, depressive symptoms, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Physical activity was measured using self-reported minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Parallel process latent growth modeling was used to examine the relationship between physical activity and psychological health.
Results
Results revealed decreases in psychological health after separation. Veterans with higher pre-separation physical activity were more likely to display steeper trajectories of decreased physical activity and psychological health after separation. In contrast, veterans who engaged in higher levels of physical activity after separation displayed increases in psychological health after separation.
Conclusions
Findings suggest that high levels of physical activity during service may not protect against worsened psychological health trajectories after separation. However, the results provide support for the potential protective factor of physical activity after separation on psychological health symptoms after separation.
期刊介绍:
The American Journal of Preventive Medicine is the official journal of the American College of Preventive Medicine and the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research. It publishes articles in the areas of prevention research, teaching, practice and policy. Original research is published on interventions aimed at the prevention of chronic and acute disease and the promotion of individual and community health.
Of particular emphasis are papers that address the primary and secondary prevention of important clinical, behavioral and public health issues such as injury and violence, infectious disease, women''s health, smoking, sedentary behaviors and physical activity, nutrition, diabetes, obesity, and substance use disorders. Papers also address educational initiatives aimed at improving the ability of health professionals to provide effective clinical prevention and public health services. Papers on health services research pertinent to prevention and public health are also published. The journal also publishes official policy statements from the two co-sponsoring organizations, review articles, media reviews, and editorials. Finally, the journal periodically publishes supplements and special theme issues devoted to areas of current interest to the prevention community.