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Preventing psychological trauma in soldiers

March 02, 2000


Psychological debriefing can reduce drinking problems in soldiers returning from active service and stress training before going into conflict may prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

These were the findings of a study published today, Wednesday 8 March, in the British Journal of Medical Psychology, by psychiatrist Dr Martin Deahl, of St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, and a team of army officers.

In a study of British UN peacekeeping troops returning from service in Bosnia, the researchers investigated subsequent psychological problems. All 106 soldiers received an operational stress training package before they went to Bosnia. Half (randomly selected) received psychological debriefing following exposure to traumatic events.

Although debriefing had no effect on rates of PTSD, it did reduce high rates of alcohol misuse in returning soldiers. More than 25 per cent showed evidence of significant alcohol misuse immediately following their return. One year later only 16 per cent were misusing alcohol, the reduction occurring almost exclusively in the debriefed group, with only six per cent reporting alcohol misuse.

This study also demonstrates that a high incidence of psychiatric problems is not an inevitable consequence of military conflict. "There were very low rates of PTSD and other psychological illnesses, and the operational stress training package may have contributed to this," said the authors.

"Trauma counselling and debriefing are extremely controversial, and recent reports have suggested that it is of no benefit," said Dr Deahl. "But our study shows that debriefing may help to reduce subsequent alcohol misuse."



British Psychological Society (BPS)

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