Combat readiness, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance Use among Uganda People’s Defence Forces

Abstract

Purpose: The study sought to establish the relationship between Combat Readiness, Post -traumatic stress disorders and Substance Use among Uganda People’s Defence Force and was guided by the following objectives: 1) To determine the relationship between Combat Readiness and Post -traumatic stress disorder among Uganda People’s Defence Force, 2) To determine the relationship between Combat Readiness and Substance Use among Uganda People’s Defence Force, 3) To examine the relationship between Post -traumatic stress disorder and Substance Use among Uganda People’s Defence Force, and 4) To analyse the mediating effect of Post-Traumatic Stress disorder on the relationship between Combat Readiness and Substance Use among Uganda People’s Defence Force. Method: The study used quantitative approach and employed cross-sectional and correlational study design. A total of 220 UPDF soldiers completed questionnaires on the Perceived Combat Readiness Questionnaire (PCRQ), The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and The Posttraumatic checklist-the military version (PCL-M). Results: No significant relationship was established between combat readiness and Posttraumatic stress disorder; no significant relationship between Combat Readiness and Substance Use; significant relationship was found between Post-traumatic stress disorder and Substance Use and Post-traumatic stress disorder predicted substance use. Conclusion: Substance Use has varied factors other than Posttraumatic stress and Combat Readiness. Recommendations: Further studies need to be carried out to find out specific factors of Substance Use among the UPDF.