Many soldiers dismissed from the military have a mental health condition, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office. The report found that more than 3 in 5 soldiers dismissed for misconduct between 2011 and 2015 had a mental health diagnosis.
Posttraumatic stress (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) were the most prevalent diagnoses, but alcohol abuse and adjustment disorders also figured prominently.
Nearly a quarter of troops diagnosed with a mental health condition in the two years leading up to discharge received an “other-than-honorable” designation. This status can affect a veteran’s ability to receive benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This lack of access can make it difficult to receive mental health treatment and other vital services.
The report also found the Army and the Marine Corps often did not comply with Department of Defense guidelines for screening soldiers for TBI and PTSD before discharge. The report urges the military to consider PTSD and TBI in discharge proceedings.
A Department of Defense official disputed some of the findings.
Penn Study: Friendship Group Influences Dating Violence Risk for Early-Maturing Girls
Girls who enter puberty earlier than their peers may face a heightened risk of emotional and behavioral issues, low self-esteem, and violence or abuse. According to a new study, the risk is even higher among early-maturing girls whose friendship groups contain more boys.
Loneliness in Young Adults Linked to Poor Sleep Quality
According to a new study of more than 2,000 British young adults, loneliness can undermine sleep quality. About 25-30% of the sample reported periodic loneliness. Those who experienced loneliness were 24% more likely to feel tired and to struggle with concentration during the day.
Parents With Bipolar Benefit From Self-Help Tool
Parents diagnosed with bipolar who use an online self-help tool more effectively build on their personal strengths, according to a new study. They are also better at managing the challenges of parenting, including encouraging positive behavior in their children. Through the self-help tool, participants’ stress and sense of parenting competence significantly improved.
The Annoying Psychology of Why You Can’t Stick to a Budget
Budgeting can help people manage their money better, which may reduce stress. However, many people struggle to stick to a budget, and two thirds of Americans do not even create one. Improving motivation can help people make and keep budgets. While budgeting apps can cultivate motivation by giving people a sense of control, human psychology may undermine even the best attempts. Budgeting can make people feel deprived, like they’re giving something up. That can turn budgeting into a self-defeating undertaking. One way to fight this tendency is to make a spending plan rather than a traditional budget.
The Phones We Love Too Much
Research suggests people’s relationships with their phones are increasingly intimate and dependent. Young adults ages 18-24 check their phones an average of 82 times a day, with other groups checking their phones 47 times a day. People sleep and eat with their phones, and many do not leave the house without them. However, phones can also undermine relationships by acting as a distraction or even a surrogate partner. In one 2016 study, 70% of women said smartphones were harming their relationships.
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