Depression, anxiety, and stress in partners of Australian combat veterans and military personnel: A comparison with Australian population norms

Abstract

Partners of Australian combat veterans are at an increased risk of experiencing mental health problems. For a comparative analysis of mental health of partners of veterans with that of their non-military counterparts, the study sample comprised female partners of (a) Australian combat veterans (Sample 1: <i>n</i> = 282, age <i>M</i> = 60.79, <i>SD</i> = 5.05), (b) a random sub-sample of partners of Australian combat veterans from the previous sample (Sample 2: <i>n</i> = 50; <i>M</i> = 60.06, <i>SD</i> = 4.80), (c) partners of Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) personnel (Sample 3: <i>n</i> = 41, age <i>M</i> = 34.39 <i>SD</i> = 7.01), and (d) partners of current serving military (non-SASR) personnel (Sample 4: <i>n</i> = 38, age <i>M</i> = 32.37, <i>SD</i>= [i]6.20). Respondents completed measures to assess their reported levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The two samples (Samples 1 and 2) for partners of Australian combat veterans reported significantly poorer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress than the comparative population norms. The sample of SASR personnel partners reported significantly greater levels of depression and anxiety, while the sample with non‑SASR personnel partners reported a significantly poorer symptomatology in stress than the comparative norms. Lessons and protective factors can be learnt from groups within the current military as to what may assist partners and families to maintain a better level of psychosocial health.