The nexus between sleep disturbances and mental health outcomes in military staff: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES: Military personnel are unique occupational groups who happen to frequently experience sleep insuffciencies. Since sleep disorders are known to be linked to many psychiatric symptoms, sleep disturbance is a salient concern among active duty service members and veterans. Existing evidence indicates that although sleep disturbances co-occur with mental illnesses, there is a tendency to particularly label them as consequences of certain mental health issues. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This review focuses on the emerging evidence which identifies sleep disturbances as a precursor for mental illnesses. In this regard, the impact of sleep disturbance on the development of mental health outcomes including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety has been thoroughly scrutinized. A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science academic databases using appropriate keywords. RESULTS: Reviewed evidence substantiates the predicting role of sleep complaints and disorders to herald PTSD, depression, and anxiety among military staff. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of sleep disturbances and properly addressing them in active-duty service members and veterans should be then sought to prevent the development and progression of consequent mental health- related comorbidities in this study group.