Associations between sleep difficulties and health outcomes in treatment-seeking veterans

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbance in UK Armed Forces personnel appears to be frequent due to factors such as hostile sleeping environments and can persist even once they have transitioned into civilian life. Despite this, there is currently very limited literature surrounding the prevalence and associated factors of insomnia disorder among UK veterans. AIMS: This study aimed to expand knowledge of the prevalence and associated demographic, military, health and functional outcomes with probable insomnia disorder within a clinical sample of veterans. METHODS: Treatment-seeking veterans from a national UK mental health charity were invited to complete a questionnaire including socio-demographic, military, health and well-being questions. RESULTS: Of the sample, 489 (43%) completed the questionnaire. Seventy per cent of the sample reported having probable insomnia disorder. Having probable insomnia disorder was significantly associated with being younger and having physical health problems. Moreover, unadjusted models found associations between probable insomnia disorder and common mental health difficulties, obsessive–compulsive disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that many UK veterans with physical and mental health difficulties experience co-morbid insomnia disorder. Therefore, it is important that clinical services are aware of this prevalence and use targeted interventions to reduce the frequency of insomnia disorder in this population.