By the Numbers: 27 August 2018

By the Numbers: 27 August 2018

4.9%
The percentage of 9,038 military spouses from all Service branches who "had a probable diagnosis of" major depressive disorder (MDD), according to a new article in the journal Depression and Anxiety -- Depression among military spouses: Demographic, military, and service member psychological health risk factors.

In unadjusted models, spouses of service members who deployed and experienced combat‐related events, were enlisted, had a probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis, or screened positive for alcohol misuse were more likely to screen positive for MDD. In adjusted models, only spouses married to enlisted service members or those with PTSD had increased risk for MDD. Other demographic and military‐related factors associated with MDD in spouses included less educational attainment, unemployment, having four or more children, and having prior military service (although not currently serving in the military) in the adjusted models..