Investigation and analysis of anxiety and depression among newly recruited civilian personnel in the military

NIE Shanhua; GUO Yanfang; JIANG Zhenzhen; WANG Yuanhao; LI Wei; ZHU Ling; LI Fengzhan

doi:10.13276/j.issn.2097-1656.2024.08.019

Abstract：Objective To investigate and analyze the mental health status and influencing factors of newly recruited civilian personnel in the military.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among newly recruited civilian personnel at a military unit in Xinjiang,primarily utilizing Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS)from May 9 to July 21,2022.The general information survey form encompassed variables such as gender,age,marital status,hometown,training pressure,recent graduation status,military experience,parenthood,educational attainment,job position,diet adaptation,and climate adaptation.The participants were divided into groups based on characteristics of each variable,and a comparison of SAS and SDS scores was conducted across these groups under each variable.Finally,all identified factors were incorporated into a binary logistic regression model to identify risk factors for depression.Results A total of 206 valid questionnaires were received,and the detection rates of anxiety and depression were 1.9％and 8.3％,respectively.There were significant differences in SDS scores among the factors of regional differences(areas south of the Yangtze River and areas north of the Yangtze River),training pressure,diet adaptation and climate adaptation(all P＜0.05).There were significant differences in SAS scores in training pressure and climate adaptation(both P＜0.05).Inability to adapt to the local climate(OR=3.667,P＜0.05)was a risk factor for depression.Conclusion A certain proportion of anxiety and depression is observed among newly recruited civilian personnel in the military,with a higher incidence of depression.Furthermore,maladjustment to the environment and climate may be a risk factor for depression among these newcomers.