Document Type

Poster

Date

4-9-2026

Keywords

Psychological distress, Benzodiazepine, Veterans

Campus Community

"Center for Health Behavior Research and Innovation; College of Arts and Sciences; Veteran and Military Behavioral Health Collaborative; D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families; Syracuse University "

Language

English

Funder(s)

D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, Veteran & Military Behavioral Health Collaborative, Center for Health Behavior Research & Innovation

Disciplines

Military and Veterans Studies

Description/Abstract

Introduction: Psychological distress, defined as a generalized state of emotional suffering characterized by depressive and anxiety symptoms, is common among U.S. military veterans. The use of benzodiazepines, which are central nervous system depressants often used to treat symptoms of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and insomnia, is also prevalent in this population despite ongoing concerns regarding dependence, misuse, and potential adverse mental health outcomes. Although benzodiazepines may provide short-term symptom relief, both their use and misuse may contribute to increases in symptoms of psychological distress. As such, this study examines the relationship between psychological distress and BZD use and misuse among a representative sample of U.S. military veterans. Method: Drawing from the 2021-2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), general linear models were employed to test associations between psychological distress (Kessler-6 Psychological Distress Scale) and past-year BZD use (yes/no) and misuse (yes/no). Results: A general linear model revealed that veterans with past-year BZD use had higher psychological distress scores (F(1, 50) = 23.39, p < .001), when compared to those with no past-year use (M BZD use = 6.42, SE = 0.40; M no BZD use = 4.38, SE = 0.14). Veterans with past-year BZD misuse reported higher psychological distress scores (F(1, 50) = 7.15, p = .01), compared to those with no past-year misuse (M BZD misuse = 7.58, SE = 1.11; M no BZD misuse = 4.56, SE = 0.14). Discussion: Past-year BZD use and misuse were associated with elevated psychological distress among U.S. veterans, underscoring the importance of careful monitoring of BZD use patterns in the context of distress symptoms. Longitudinal research is needed to establish temporal precedence and to examine trajectories of BZD use and distress over time.

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