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ID: 141169

Are the armed forces understood and supported by the public? a view from the United Kingdom / Hines, Lindsey A; Gribble, Rachael ; Wessely, Simon ; Fear, Nicola T

Wessely, Simon	Article
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Summary/Abstract

Despite the importance of public opinion in supporting the military and their missions, little is known about how the UK public perceive their Armed Forces. This article reviews and evaluates available research and opinion poll data of public attitudes toward the UK military and situates the evidence within the civil–military gap literature. Current evidence suggests public regard for the UK Armed Forces is high despite low levels of support for the Iraq and Afghanistan missions. Public understanding of the work of the Armed Forces is limited. Nonetheless, the United Kingdom’s long history of military deployments may have given the public an “intuitive understanding” of the basic realities of the military compared with other European states. There are indications of differences in attitudes between the UK Armed Forces and wider British society, but no firm evidence that the civil–military “gap” has become a “gulf” as claimed by some military leaders.

Key Words

Public Opinion ; UK Armed Forces ; Civil–Military Gap

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ID: 104759

Mental health of UK armed forces personnel: the impact of Iraq and Afghanistan / Forbes, Harriet J; Fear, Nicola T; Iversen, Amy; Dandeker, Christopher

Dandeker, Christopher	Journal Article
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2011.

Summary/Abstract

The legacy of Gulf War Syndrome led to fears that the deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003 would have an effect on the mental health of the UK armed forces. Contrary to many people's expectations, deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan has not led to an increase in mental health problems and the overall number of personnel with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder is low. But there have been some costs: reservists and combat personnel are more at risk of mental health problems, and alcohol misuse continues to be rife amongst regulars.

Key Words

Gulf War ; Iraq ; Afghanistan ; United Kingdom ; Mental Health ; UK Armed Forces

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