The mental health of Chinese military personnel: a cross-sectional epidemiological study

Abstract Backgrounds Considering the crucial role of military personnel’s mental health in the armed forces, society, and the nation, the present study aims to describe the prevalence and influential factors of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Chinese military personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The present study conducted an epidemiological investigation of mental health among Chinese military personnel between October 25th and November 10th, 2022. Data was collected from military units in thirty provinces across the country. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire about their demographic characteristics and four validated scales (PHQ-9, GAD-7, ISI-7 and PCL-5), assessing the symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD. Results A total of 17,423 military personnel participated in the study. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD were 2.69%, 0.99%, 2.90% and 1.61%, respectively. Certain demographic groups were identified as having a higher prevalence, including older individuals, women, those with longer military service, higher education levels, divorced or widowed individuals, only child, those with one child, and those from urban areas. Conclusions The prevalence of mental health problems among Chinese military personnel has remained at a relatively low level, but our data still suggest that a significant number of individuals in the Chinese military population are affected by mental health issues. It is crucial for military units, society, and the nation to continuously prioritize the mental well-being of soldiers and provide them with more mental health care services.