Psychiatric and Non-Psychiatric Predictors of Disability Discharge Disposition for Navy Personnel with a Mental Health Problem: A Replication and Extension

摘要

The main purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which severity of mental health diagnosis and length of service predict medical discharge disposition (severance pay versus temporary disability retirement). There was also interest in examining the extent to which mental health diagnoses were consistent from time of hospitalization to time of last PE Board determination. The sample (N=1,485) consisted of all incidences of PE Board dispositions of either severance pay or temporary disability retirement between 1981 and 1984, inclusive, for active duty, enlisted Navy personnel who had been hospitalized with a mental health problem as the primary diagnosis. Findings indicated that severity of mental health diagnosis and length of service predicted medical discharge disability. Also, non-psychotic primary diagnoses at time of hospitalization were likely to shift to psychotic diagnoses by the time of last PE Board determination. This replication provides substantial evidence of uniform determination procedures by Navy PE Boards, as well as additional empirical support for the notion of considering entitlement benefits in the total costs of medical care. Keywords: Severance pay; Temporary disability retirement; Mental disorders. (sdw)