Military and veteran populations may exhibit heightened vulnerability to gambling problems; however, there is scant relevant evidence outside the US, and few studies of transition periods, including return from operational deployment. The aim of this study was thus to highlight the extent, risk-factors, and implications of gambling problems among current members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) following deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO). It involved analyses of data from n = 1324 ADF personnel who deployed between 2010 and 2012, and completed surveys within four months of returning to Australia. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) identified Problem Gambling (PG: PGSI ≥5) and At-Risk Gambling (ARG: PGSI 1–4), alongside measures of Depression (PHQ-9), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PCL-C), alcohol use problems (AUDIT), distress (K10), and post-deployment stressors. Analyses indicated that 7.7% of personnel reported at least some gambling problems post-deployment, including 2.0% that were distinguished by PG, and 5.7% indicating ARG. These figures were comparable to conditions including probable depression and alcohol dependence, while levels of any gambling problems were high relative to harmful drinking. Higher levels were observed among personnel who were aged 18–24, reported 0–4 years of military service, served in the Army, and comprised Non-Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks. There were strong associations with gambling problems and various indicators of mental health and wellbeing, and self-reported post-deployment difficulties. The findings indicate that gambling problems are salient concerns for some Australian military personnel post-deployment, and highlight the need for increased recognition and responses to these problems.

军人和退伍军人可能更容易受到赌博问题的困扰；但是，在美国境外，相关证据很少，对过渡时期（包括运营部署的回报）的研究也很少。因此，本研究的目的是强调在部署到中东行动地区（MEAO）之后，澳大利亚国防军（ADF）当前成员中赌博问题的程度，风险因素和影响。它涉及分析来自n的数据 = 1324名ADF人员，他们在2010年至2012年之间部署，并在返回澳大利亚后的四个月内完成了调查。问题赌博严重性指数（PGSI）确定了问题赌博（PG：PGSI≥5）和风险赌博（ARG：PGSI 1-4），以及抑郁症（PHQ-9），创伤后应激障碍（PCL-C）的量度，酒精使用问题（AUDIT），遇险（K10）和部署后压力源。分析表明，有7.7％的人员报告说在部署后至少存在一些赌博问题，其中包括PG识别出的2.0％，以及ARG占5.7％。这些数字与包括可能的抑郁症和酒精依赖在内的情况相当，而相对于有害饮酒，任何赌博问题的发生率都很高。在18至24岁，曾服兵役0至4年的人员中，观察到的水平更高，在军队中服役，由士官/其他职级组成。与赌博问题，心理健康和福祉的各种指标以及自我报告的部署后困难有很强的联系。调查结果表明，赌博问题是澳大利亚一些军事人员部署后的主要问题，并突出显示了对这些问题的更多认识和对策。