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| UK peace troops 'less stressed' | UK peace troops 'less stressed' |
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| UK troops on UN peace missions have lower rates of post-traumatic stress disorder than most other nationals on similar deployments, a study suggests. | UK troops on UN peace missions have lower rates of post-traumatic stress disorder than most other nationals on similar deployments, a study suggests. |
| King's College London researchers found 3.6% to 5.5% of UK personnel who had been on assignments reported symptoms. | King's College London researchers found 3.6% to 5.5% of UK personnel who had been on assignments reported symptoms. |
| PTSD rates for peacekeeping troops from Western countries vary from 2% to 15%, previous research has indicated. | PTSD rates for peacekeeping troops from Western countries vary from 2% to 15%, previous research has indicated. |
| The UK study of 1,198 personnel said differences in culture and operational practices may account for lower rates. | The UK study of 1,198 personnel said differences in culture and operational practices may account for lower rates. |
| The King's College study said UK officers and married personnel were the least likely to suffer PTSD symptoms. | The King's College study said UK officers and married personnel were the least likely to suffer PTSD symptoms. |
| It also indicated that gender, age or deployment status - whether personnel were with their own unit or part of another - did not influence prevalence. | It also indicated that gender, age or deployment status - whether personnel were with their own unit or part of another - did not influence prevalence. |
| However, it suggested those who had left the military were more likely to suffer from PTSD than those who had remained in it. | However, it suggested those who had left the military were more likely to suffer from PTSD than those who had remained in it. |
| Researchers examined peacekeeping operations dating back to 1991, including missions in the former Yugoslavia, including Bosnia and Kosovo, the Gulf and Cyprus. | |
| 'Positive role' | 'Positive role' |
| BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the study appeared to show that immediate psychotherapy after potentially traumatic events could be counter-productive. | BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the study appeared to show that immediate psychotherapy after potentially traumatic events could be counter-productive. |
| The accepted practice in the UK is to give military personnel at least a month to talk to family, friends and colleagues before suggesting professional help. | The accepted practice in the UK is to give military personnel at least a month to talk to family, friends and colleagues before suggesting professional help. |
| National attitudes towards military risk and level of training may also play a role, concluded the study. | National attitudes towards military risk and level of training may also play a role, concluded the study. |
| Our correspondent said: "UK armed forces rate their military leaders more highly than troops from many other nations - with previous studies showing that such perceptions can play a positive role in preventing PTSD." | Our correspondent said: "UK armed forces rate their military leaders more highly than troops from many other nations - with previous studies showing that such perceptions can play a positive role in preventing PTSD." |
| Dr Neil Greenberg, who led the research team from the Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health, said: "Although PTSD was an uncommon problem in the studied sample, it continues to attract considerable political and media interest." | Dr Neil Greenberg, who led the research team from the Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health, said: "Although PTSD was an uncommon problem in the studied sample, it continues to attract considerable political and media interest." |
| But the psychological consequences of peacekeeping operations pose a real risk management issue for military forces from both a mental health and media viewpoint, he added. | But the psychological consequences of peacekeeping operations pose a real risk management issue for military forces from both a mental health and media viewpoint, he added. |
| The study was undertaken in 2001 and questioned 1,198 personnel, 81% of whom were serving in the armed forces at the time. | The study was undertaken in 2001 and questioned 1,198 personnel, 81% of whom were serving in the armed forces at the time. |