Garrison Neurosis: Malaysian Army Perspectives in Psychological Challenges in Low Intensity Warfare

Abstract

The psychological impact of low-intensity warfare is less studied as compared to high intensity war. In addition to the broad symptomatologies, misconduct stress behaviours are always the subjects of debate. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of combat stress reaction among soldiers attended 94 Armed Forces Hospital psychiatry clinic and its association between sociodemographic characteristic. The study was conducted via restrospective review of medical records of all soldiers who attended the clinic from January 2019 until June 2019. Total of 78 patients fulfilled the study criteria. The study showed more than half of the patient have combat stress reaction (57.7%). Majority of the patients were non- commissioned officers (85.9%), male (93.6%), Malay (87.2%) and married (59%). The mean age was 29.5 years old. Majority have secondary education with Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (67.9%), and have been in service between 10 to 15 years (34.6%). The prevalence of combat stress reaction is 57.7%. Age and level of education were found to be associated with combat stress ( p < 0.05). As conclusion, prevalence of combat stress among attendees to psychiatric clinic HAT Terendak is high. More proactive measures should be taken to prevent this in the future.