The King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) is the leading civilian UK centre of excellence for research with the Armed Forces Community. Independent of the Ministry of Defence, Office for Veterans’ Affairs and chain of command, our research has provided much-needed evidence on the health and well-being of serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.
What does KCMHR do?
Our research relates to conflict and health, occupational psychiatry, personnel issues, wellbeing and social policy. We conduct research in four main areas:
• Serving personnel;
• Ex-serving personnel;
• Families of serving and ex-serving personnel;
• Interventions.
We work closely with the Academic Department of Military Mental Health.
Impact and dissemination
Findings from the studies conducted at KCMHR are regularly published in high-impact journals such as the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and the Lancet series. The high-quality of this research is regularly cited by leading research organisations in the UK and used as impact case studies within academia. We strive to ensure that our research is disseminated widely throughout academia but also to military providers, medical professionals, policy makers, charities, and serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.
Our research has contributed to changes on policy and services regarding serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. These include:
• Improved mental health provision for reservists entitling them the same care after deployment as their regular counterparts;
• Armed Forces campaigns on road safety;
• Evidence regarding the delivery of anthrax vaccinations to military personnel;
• Contributing to the Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Families’ Strategy and underlying action plan, the Defence People Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2017-2022 and the Veterans Strategy 2018;
• Contributing to the Mental Health Services for Veterans in England Consultation and Action Plan 2016;
• Influencing the formulation of NHS TILS service and Complex Treatment Services 2017;
• Contributing to international policy in Five Eye Nations, such as the reduction in US deployment lengths from 1 year to 9 months.
Collaboration
KCMHR regularly collaborates with other academic institutions, military charities and government organisations within the UK and internationally to produce high-quality and valued evidence regarding our military population.
If you have an idea for a research project, please email us at kcmhr@kcl.ac.uk.
People
Consultant Psychiatrist & Visiting Professor
Research Assistant & PhD Student
Research Associate
Professor of Epidemiology
Research Assistant
Professor of Defence Mental Health
Projects
DrinksRation
DrinksRation is a smartphone app designed to reduce alcohol misuse in the Armed Forces using digital technology and behavioural change theory.
Health and Wellbeing Cohort Study
A long-term study investigating the health and wellbeing of UK military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Bosnia Veterans Study
Cancer risk and mortality in UK Service personnel deployed to Bosnia 1992-1996
The Porton Down Veterans Cohort Study
A study exploring long-term health of former servicemen who were exposed to chemical warfare agents as part of the ‘human volunteer programme’ at Porton Down.
VeteransCHECK
A study investigating the current experiences and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health, wellbeing and lifestyle behaviours of ex-serving personnel.
Publications
Highlighted Publications
Intimate partner violence and abuse experience and perpetration in UK military personnel compared to a general population cohort: A cross-sectional study. MacManus, D., Short, R., Lane, R., Jones, M., Hull, L., Howard, L. M. & Fear, N. T., Sep 2022, In: The Lancet Regional Health - Europe. 20, 100448.
Post-Traumatic Growth amongst UK Armed Forces personnel who deployed to Afghanistan and the role of combat injury, mental health and pain: The ADVANCE cohort study. Dyball, D., Bennett, A. N., Schofield, S., Cullinan, P., Boos, C. J., Bull, A. M. J., Stevelink, S. & Fear, N., 12 Jul 2022, (Accepted/In press) In: Psychological Medicine.
Mental health outcomes of male UK military personnel deployed to Afghanistan and the role of combat injury: analysis of baseline data from the ADVANCE cohort study. Jul 2022, In: The Lancet Psychiatry. 9, 7, p. 547-554
Evaluating the Efficacy of the Drinks:Ration Mobile App to Reduce Alcohol Consumption in a Help-Seeking Military Veteran Population: Randomized Controlled Trial. Leightley, D., Williamson, C., Rona, R. J., Carr, E., Shearer, J., Davis, J. P., Simms, A., Fear, N. T., Goodwin, L. & Murphy, D., 1 Jun 2022, In: JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 10, 6, e38991.
Recruiting Military Veterans into Alcohol Misuse Research: The Role of Social Media and Facebook Advertising. Williamson, C., Rona, R., Simms, A., Fear, N., Goodwin, L., Murphy, D. & Leightley, D., 11 May 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: TELEMEDICINE JOURNAL AND E-HEALTH.
To find more KCMHR & ADMMH publications, please visit our page on the King's research portal.
Perceptions of the impact of military life on relationships and Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse among UK military personnel
Lane, R., Alves-Costa, F., Gribble, R., Taylor, A., Howard, L., Fear, N. & MacManus, D., 28 May 2025, In: PLoS One.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Mortality and cancer incidence in UK military veterans involved in human experiments at Porton Down: 48-year follow-up
Archer, G., Keegan, T. J., Carpenter, L. M., Venables, K. M. & Fear, N. T., 2 Aug 2023, In: International Journal of Epidemiology. 52, 4, p. 1025-1034 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Sarin exposure, mortality and cancer incidence in UK military veterans involved in human experiments at Porton Down: 52-year follow-up
Archer, G., Keegan, T., Wessely, S., Venables, K. M. & Fear, N. T., 8 Oct 2024, In: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 81, 9, p. 480-488 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Most Accurate Prevalence of PTSD and Common Mental Disorders in Healthcare Workers in England: A Two-Phase Epidemiological Survey
Scott, H. R., Hegarty, S., Hotopf, M., Madan, I., McManus, S., Moran, P., Souliou, E., Raine, R., Razavi, R., Weston, D., Greenberg, N., Stevelink, S. A. M., Wessely, S., Gafoor, R., Lamb, D., Bakolis, I., Bhundia, R., Carr, E., Docherty, M. J. & Gnanapragasam, S., 2 Jun 2022, (THELANCETPSYCH-D-22-00481).Research output: Working paper/Preprint › Preprint
"Just sort of treading water": Qualitative study of the lived experiences of romantic partners of diplomats
Brooks, S., Patel, D., Gribble, R., Rogers, B. & Greenberg, N., 15 May 2025, In: Social Sciences & Humanities Open. 11, p. 1-10 10 p., 101531.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Homeworking experience of neurodivergent workers: systematic review
Brooks, S., Hall, C., Rogers, B. & Greenberg, N., 19 Oct 2024, In: Occupational Medicine. p. 1-10 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
SUSTAIN: Identifying and Examining the Barriers and Facilitators to Ex-Servicewomen Making a Successful and Sustainable Transition to Civilian Life in the UK
Sharp, M.-L., Croak, B., Khan, R., Smith, A., Langston, V., Rafferty, L., Greenberg, N., Fear, N. & Stevelink, S., 25 Mar 2025Research output: Book/Report › Report
Restore and Rebuild (R&R): a protocol for a phase 2, randomised control trial to compare R&R as a treatment for moral injury-related mental health difficulties in UK military veterans to treatment as usual
Williamson, V., Murphy, D., Bonson, A., Biscoe, N., Leightley, D., Aldridge, V. & Greenberg, N., 15 May 2024, In: BMJ Open. 14, 5, e082562.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Veterans' experiences of moral injury, treatment and recommendations for future support
Bonson, A., Murphy, D., Aldridge, V., Greenberg, N. & Williamson, V., 11 Dec 2024, In: BMJ Military Health. 170, e2, p. e104-e109Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Development of an intervention for moral injury-related mental health difficulties in UK military veterans: a feasibility pilot study protocol
Williamson, V., Murphy, D., Aldridge, V., Bonson, A., Seforti, D. & Greenberg, N., 2022, In: European journal of psychotraumatology. 13, 2, 2138059.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Effectiveness of treatments for symptoms of post-trauma related guilt, shame and anger in military and civilian populations: A systematic review
Serfioti, D., Murphy, D., Greenberg, N. & Williamson, V., 25 Nov 2024, In: BMJ Military Health. 170, 6, p. 519-528 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Restore and Rebuild (R&R)–a feasibility pilot study of a co-designed intervention for moral injury-related mental health difficulties
Williamson, V., Murphy, D., Bonson, A., Aldridge, V., Serfioti, D. & Greenberg, N., 2023, In: European journal of psychotraumatology. 14, 2, 2256204.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Conceptualization of moral injury: A socio-cognitive perspective
Bonson, A., Murphy, D., Aldridge, V., Greenberg, N. & Williamson, V., Apr 2023, In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. 9, 2, p. 75-81 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
“Man up and get on with it”: A Qualitative Exploration of UK Ex-Serving Personnel’s Experiences of Seeking Help for Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviours
Williamson, C., Busuttil, W., Simms, A., Palmer, L., Stevelink, S. & Sharp, M.-L., 4 Apr 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: European journal of psychotraumatology. 16, 1, 2480990.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
A systematic review of military-to-civilian transition, The role of gender
Smith, A., Rafferty, L., Croak, B., Greenberg, N., Khan, R., Langston, V., Sharp, M. L., Stagg, A., Fear, N. & Stevelink, S., Feb 2025, In: PLoS ONE. 20, 2 February, e0316448.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Suicide in Military and Veteran Populations: A View Across the Five Eyes Nations
Mental Health Research and Innovation Collaborative (MHRIC), 14 Feb 2024, In: Psychiatry (Washington, D.C.).Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Problematic anger in military and veteran populations with and without PTSD: The elephant in the room
Mental Health Research and Innovation Collaborative (MHRIC), 6 Jun 2023, In: Journal of Anxiety Disorders.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Illegal drug use amongst male UK military personnel who sustained physical combat injuries: The ADVANCE cohort study
Dyball, D., Schofield, S., Bennett, A. N., Boos, C. J., Bull, A. M. J. & Fear, N. T., May 2025, In: Addictive Behaviors. 164, 108269.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Adverse Mental Health Outcomes and Alcohol Misuse Among UK Armed Forces Personnel: A 20-Year Cohort Study of Military Personnel Who Served During the Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts
Sharp, M.-L., Stone, J., Greenberg, N., Murphy, D., MacManus, D., Wessely, S., Stevelink, S. A. M., Fear, N. T., Jones, M., Franchini, S., Leal, R., Hull, L., Molloy, N., Burdett, H., Leightley, D. & Simms, A., 13 Dec 2024, (THELANCETPUBLICHEALTH-D-24-01983).Research output: Working paper/Preprint › Preprint
A systematic review of military-to-civilian transition, The role of gender
Smith, A., Rafferty, L., Croak, B., Greenberg, N., Khan, R., Langston, V., Sharp, M.-L., Stagg, A., Fear, N. & Stevelink, S., 3 Feb 2025, In: PLoS ONE. 20, 2 February, e0316448.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Structural and functional social support in UK military veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic and associations with mental health and wellbeing: a cross-sectional study
Grover, L., Sharp, M.-L., Jones, M., Burdett, H. & Fear, N., 8 Jan 2025, In: BMC Public Health. 25, 1, p. 96 1 p., 96.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Help seeking for self-reported alcohol problems among serving and ex-serving personnel: A cross-sectional study
Gribble, R., Stevelink, S., Spanakis, P., Goodwin, L. & Fear, N., Nov 2024, In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. 10, 5, p. 63-71 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Is lifetime traumatic brain injury a risk factor for mild cognitive impairment in veterans compared to non-veterans?
Akhanemhe, R., Stevelink, S. A. M., Corbett, A., Ballard, C., Brooker, H., Creese, B., Aarsland, D., Hampshire, A. & Greenberg, N., 2024, In: European journal of psychotraumatology. 15, 1, p. 2291965 2291965.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors of mild cognitive impairment in UK veterans and non-veterans
Akhanemhe, R., Stevelink, S. A. M., Corbett, A., Ballard, C., Brooker, H., Creese, B., Aarsland, D., Hampshire, A. & Greenberg, N., 11 Jun 2024, In: Occupational medicine (Oxford, England). 74, 4, p. 274-282 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
MARRIED IN THE MILITARY: RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION AND DISTRESS AMONG SERVING UK COUPLES
Gribble, R., Goodwin, L. & Fear, N., Apr 2025, In: Couple and Family Psychology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Holding and rupture: Describing posttraumatic stress among former UK Army and Royal Marine personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan
Palmer, L., Busuttil, W., Simms, A., Fear, N. T. & Stevelink, S. A. M., Aug 2024, In: PLoS ONE. 19, 8 August, e0308101.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Soldiers Don't Go Mad: A Story of Brotherhood, Poetry and Mental Illness During the First World War By Charles Glass
Jones, E., 12 Nov 2024, British Journal of Psychiatry, 255, p. 465-466.Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Book/Film/Article review
The association between perceived social support and mental health in combat-injured and uninjured male UK (ex-)military personnel: A cross-sectional study
Grover, L. E., Schofield , S., Burdett, H., Palmer, L., Bennett, A., Bull, A., Boos, C., Cullinan, P. & Fear, N., 13 Sept 2024, In: Journal of psychiatric research. 179, p. 167-174 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Psychosocial impacts of post-disaster compensation processes: narrative systematic review
Brooks, S., Rogers, B., Wessely, S., Patel, S. S. & Greenberg, N., 7 Oct 2024, In: BMC Psychology. 12, 1, p. 1 18 p., 539.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Health and Wellbeing Study of Serving and Ex-Serving UK Armed Forces Personnel: Phase 4 (Office for Veterans' Affairs Final Report)
Sharp, M.-L., Franchini, S., Jones, M., Leal, R., Wessely, S., Stevelink, S. & Fear, N., 9 Sept 2024Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Paternal PTSD or depression, adolescent mental health, and family functioning: A study of UK military families
Wickersham, A., Leightley, D., Baig, B., Chesnokov, M., Stein, A., Ramchandani, P., Downs, J., Parnell, N., Rye, K., Verey, A. & Fear, N. T., 29 Apr 2024, In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. 10, 2, p. 63-78 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Suicidal ideation in male UK military personnel who sustained a physical combat injury in Afghanistan and the mediating role of leaving service: The ADVANCE cohort study
Dyball, D., Williamson, C., Bennett, A. N., Schofield, S., Boos, C. J., Bull, A. M. J., Cullinan, P. & Fear, N., 31 Jul 2024, In: International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 70, 7, p. 1279-1288 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors of mild cognitive impairment in UK veterans and non-veterans
Akhanemhe, R., Stevelink, S., Ballard, C., Brooker, H., Creese, B., Aarsland, D., Hampshire, A. & Greenberg, N., 1 May 2024, In: Occupational Medicine. 74, 4, p. 274-282 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Level of perceived social support, and associated factors, in combat-exposed (ex-)military personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Grover, L., Williamson, C., Burdett, H., Palmer, L. & Fear, N., 21 May 2024, In: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 59, 12, p. 2119-2143 25 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Shorter communications: Exploring the impact of a brief smartphone-based alcohol intervention app (DrinksRation) on the quality of life of UK military veterans
Trompeter, N., Williamson, C., Rona, R., Carr, E., Simms, A., Agwuna, J., Fear, N., Goodwin, L., Murphy, D., Shearer, J. & Leightley, D., 6 Apr 2024, In: Behaviour Research and Therapy. 177, 104540.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
‘There’s no club, absolutely nothing’: Experiences of parents of Veterans living with illnesses and injuries in Canada
Tam-Seto, L., Norris, D., Richardson, M., Gribble, R., Fear, N. & Cramm, H., May 2024, In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. 10, 2, p. 130-139 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Reservist families and their understanding of military welfare support as a (non)military family
Connelly, V., Hennelly, S., Fear, N., Morrison, Z., Gribble, R. & Smith, J., May 2024, In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. 10, 2, p. 47-62 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Who am I? A qualitative exploration of the identities of spouses/partners of UK Armed Forces Veterans
Spikol, E., McGlinchey, E., Fear, N., Armour, C. & Gribble, R., May 2024, In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. 10, 2, p. 22-36 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The underlying mechanisms by which Post-Traumatic Growth is associated with cardiovascular health in male UK military personnel: The ADVANCE cohort study
Dyball, D., Bennett, A. N., Schofield, S., Cullinan, P., Boos, C. J., Bull, A. M. J., Stevelink, S. A. M. & Fear, N. T., 11 Apr 2024, In: Journal of Health Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053241240196.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Exploring the impact of a brief smartphone-based alcohol intervention app (DrinksRation) on the quality of life of UK military veterans
Trompeter, N., Williamson, C., Rona, R., Carr, E., Simms, A., Agwuna, J., Fear, N., Goodwin, L., Murphy, D., Shearer, J. & Leightley, D., Jun 2024, In: Behaviour Research and Therapy. 177, 104540.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Reconsolidation of traumatic memories protocol compared to trauma-focussed cognitive behaviour therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in UK military veterans: a randomised controlled feasibility trial
Sturt, J., Rogers, R., Armour, C., Cameron, D., De Rijk, L., Fiorentino, F., Forbes, T., Glen, C., Grealish, A., Kreft, J., Meye de Souza, I., Spikol, E., Tzouvara, V. & Greenberg, N., Dec 2023, In: Pilot and Feasibility Studies. 9, 1, 175.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Risk and protective factors for self-harm and suicide behaviours among serving and ex-serving personnel of the UK Armed Forces, Canadian Armed Forces, Australian Defence Force and New Zealand Defence Force: A systematic review
Williamson, C., Croak, B., Simms, A., Fear, N., Sharp, M.-L. & Stevelink, S., 26 Apr 2024, In: PLoS ONE. 19, 4 April, e0299239.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Transition outcomes of Armed Forces Personnel with Battlefield Injuries: A Summary of the Literature
Burdett, H., Verey, A. & Fear, N., 2022, 22 p.Research output: Book/Report › Report
Mental health, ethnicity and the UK armed forces: Historical lessons for research and policy
Jones, E., Palmer, L. & Bhui, K., Mar 2024, In: Asian journal of psychiatry. 93, 103957, 103957.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Gender differences in structural and attitudinal barriers to mental healthcare in UK Armed Forces personnel and veterans with self-reported mental health problems
Trompeter, N., Rafferty, L., Dyball, D., McKenzie, A., Greenberg, N., Fear, N. T. & Stevelink, S. A. M., 2023, (Accepted/In press) In: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Families transition, too! Military families transition out of service: a scoping review of research from the Five Eyes nations
Dodge, J., Kale, C., Keeling, M., Gribble, R., Taylor-Beirne , S., Maher, S., Castro, C. A., Fear, N. & Sullivan, K., 2023, In: Journal of Family Social Work.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Understanding and mapping the psychosocial wellbeing support needs of veteran family members across the UK: a multi-methods study
Gillin, N., McShane, T., Gribble, R., Palmer, L., Armour, C., Fear, N. & Fossey, M., 2023Research output: Book/Report › Report › peer-review
The UK Veterans Family Study: Psychological health, wellbeing, and social support among UK veteran families
Gribble, R., Spikol, E., Parkes, S., Dighton, G., Palmer, L., McShane, T., Armour, C. & Fear, N., Jan 2024Research output: Book/Report › Report › peer-review
Associations between paternal PTSD or depression, adolescent mental health, and family functioning: A cross-sectional study of UK military families
Wickersham, A., Leightley, D., Baig, B., Chesnokov, M., Stein, A., Ramchandani, P., Downs, J., Parnell, N., Rye, K., Verey, A. & Fear, N., 22 Jan 2024, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Experiences of working from home: umbrella review
Hall, C. E., Brooks, S. K., Mills, F., Greenberg, N. & Weston, D., 4 Jan 2024, In: JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH. 66, 1, uiad013.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Activities
Real Stories 2024
Staff at KCMHR are delighted to launch 'Real Stories 2024', an initiative which captures, via images, the diverse experiences that form the rich tapestry of military life. This online catalogue, comprised of a series of photographs, poetry and prose, provides a unique insight into what life is like for the UK Armed Forces community today. The theme of the 2024 open call was ‘Capturing Meaningful Life Events’.
News
20-year study finds rates of PTSD and common mental disorders on the rise in Armed Forces personnel and veterans
The latest research from the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR), King’s College London and commissioned by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs...
The interplay between serious physical combat injuries, leaving military service and suicidal ideation
Findings from ADVANCE study, looked at suicidal ideation within UK military personnel who sustained a serious physical combat injury on deployment in...
The Princess Royal attends the 2024 Veterans' Mental Health Conference
On Tuesday 14 May 2024, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attended the 2024 Veterans’ Mental Health Conference, organised by the King’s Centre for...
King's Centre for Military Health Research and Forces in Mind Trust Research Centre host Australian Minister of Veterans' Affairs
Australian government delegation met with centres' researchers to hear about the ongoing work and support for veterans.
Restore and Rebuild therapy shows potential as treatment for moral injury in UK Armed Forces
New research from the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) and Combat Stress, the UK’s leading veterans’ mental health charity, has shown that a...
People
Consultant Psychiatrist & Visiting Professor
Research Assistant & PhD Student
Research Associate
Professor of Epidemiology
Research Assistant
Professor of Defence Mental Health
Projects
DrinksRation
DrinksRation is a smartphone app designed to reduce alcohol misuse in the Armed Forces using digital technology and behavioural change theory.
Health and Wellbeing Cohort Study
A long-term study investigating the health and wellbeing of UK military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Bosnia Veterans Study
Cancer risk and mortality in UK Service personnel deployed to Bosnia 1992-1996
The Porton Down Veterans Cohort Study
A study exploring long-term health of former servicemen who were exposed to chemical warfare agents as part of the ‘human volunteer programme’ at Porton Down.
VeteransCHECK
A study investigating the current experiences and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health, wellbeing and lifestyle behaviours of ex-serving personnel.
Publications
Highlighted Publications
Intimate partner violence and abuse experience and perpetration in UK military personnel compared to a general population cohort: A cross-sectional study. MacManus, D., Short, R., Lane, R., Jones, M., Hull, L., Howard, L. M. & Fear, N. T., Sep 2022, In: The Lancet Regional Health - Europe. 20, 100448.
Post-Traumatic Growth amongst UK Armed Forces personnel who deployed to Afghanistan and the role of combat injury, mental health and pain: The ADVANCE cohort study. Dyball, D., Bennett, A. N., Schofield, S., Cullinan, P., Boos, C. J., Bull, A. M. J., Stevelink, S. & Fear, N., 12 Jul 2022, (Accepted/In press) In: Psychological Medicine.
Mental health outcomes of male UK military personnel deployed to Afghanistan and the role of combat injury: analysis of baseline data from the ADVANCE cohort study. Jul 2022, In: The Lancet Psychiatry. 9, 7, p. 547-554
Evaluating the Efficacy of the Drinks:Ration Mobile App to Reduce Alcohol Consumption in a Help-Seeking Military Veteran Population: Randomized Controlled Trial. Leightley, D., Williamson, C., Rona, R. J., Carr, E., Shearer, J., Davis, J. P., Simms, A., Fear, N. T., Goodwin, L. & Murphy, D., 1 Jun 2022, In: JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 10, 6, e38991.
Recruiting Military Veterans into Alcohol Misuse Research: The Role of Social Media and Facebook Advertising. Williamson, C., Rona, R., Simms, A., Fear, N., Goodwin, L., Murphy, D. & Leightley, D., 11 May 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: TELEMEDICINE JOURNAL AND E-HEALTH.
To find more KCMHR & ADMMH publications, please visit our page on the King's research portal.
Perceptions of the impact of military life on relationships and Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse among UK military personnel
Lane, R., Alves-Costa, F., Gribble, R., Taylor, A., Howard, L., Fear, N. & MacManus, D., 28 May 2025, In: PLoS One.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Mortality and cancer incidence in UK military veterans involved in human experiments at Porton Down: 48-year follow-up
Archer, G., Keegan, T. J., Carpenter, L. M., Venables, K. M. & Fear, N. T., 2 Aug 2023, In: International Journal of Epidemiology. 52, 4, p. 1025-1034 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Sarin exposure, mortality and cancer incidence in UK military veterans involved in human experiments at Porton Down: 52-year follow-up
Archer, G., Keegan, T., Wessely, S., Venables, K. M. & Fear, N. T., 8 Oct 2024, In: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 81, 9, p. 480-488 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Most Accurate Prevalence of PTSD and Common Mental Disorders in Healthcare Workers in England: A Two-Phase Epidemiological Survey
Scott, H. R., Hegarty, S., Hotopf, M., Madan, I., McManus, S., Moran, P., Souliou, E., Raine, R., Razavi, R., Weston, D., Greenberg, N., Stevelink, S. A. M., Wessely, S., Gafoor, R., Lamb, D., Bakolis, I., Bhundia, R., Carr, E., Docherty, M. J. & Gnanapragasam, S., 2 Jun 2022, (THELANCETPSYCH-D-22-00481).Research output: Working paper/Preprint › Preprint
"Just sort of treading water": Qualitative study of the lived experiences of romantic partners of diplomats
Brooks, S., Patel, D., Gribble, R., Rogers, B. & Greenberg, N., 15 May 2025, In: Social Sciences & Humanities Open. 11, p. 1-10 10 p., 101531.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Homeworking experience of neurodivergent workers: systematic review
Brooks, S., Hall, C., Rogers, B. & Greenberg, N., 19 Oct 2024, In: Occupational Medicine. p. 1-10 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
SUSTAIN: Identifying and Examining the Barriers and Facilitators to Ex-Servicewomen Making a Successful and Sustainable Transition to Civilian Life in the UK
Sharp, M.-L., Croak, B., Khan, R., Smith, A., Langston, V., Rafferty, L., Greenberg, N., Fear, N. & Stevelink, S., 25 Mar 2025Research output: Book/Report › Report
Restore and Rebuild (R&R): a protocol for a phase 2, randomised control trial to compare R&R as a treatment for moral injury-related mental health difficulties in UK military veterans to treatment as usual
Williamson, V., Murphy, D., Bonson, A., Biscoe, N., Leightley, D., Aldridge, V. & Greenberg, N., 15 May 2024, In: BMJ Open. 14, 5, e082562.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Veterans' experiences of moral injury, treatment and recommendations for future support
Bonson, A., Murphy, D., Aldridge, V., Greenberg, N. & Williamson, V., 11 Dec 2024, In: BMJ Military Health. 170, e2, p. e104-e109Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Development of an intervention for moral injury-related mental health difficulties in UK military veterans: a feasibility pilot study protocol
Williamson, V., Murphy, D., Aldridge, V., Bonson, A., Seforti, D. & Greenberg, N., 2022, In: European journal of psychotraumatology. 13, 2, 2138059.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Effectiveness of treatments for symptoms of post-trauma related guilt, shame and anger in military and civilian populations: A systematic review
Serfioti, D., Murphy, D., Greenberg, N. & Williamson, V., 25 Nov 2024, In: BMJ Military Health. 170, 6, p. 519-528 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Restore and Rebuild (R&R)–a feasibility pilot study of a co-designed intervention for moral injury-related mental health difficulties
Williamson, V., Murphy, D., Bonson, A., Aldridge, V., Serfioti, D. & Greenberg, N., 2023, In: European journal of psychotraumatology. 14, 2, 2256204.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Conceptualization of moral injury: A socio-cognitive perspective
Bonson, A., Murphy, D., Aldridge, V., Greenberg, N. & Williamson, V., Apr 2023, In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. 9, 2, p. 75-81 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
“Man up and get on with it”: A Qualitative Exploration of UK Ex-Serving Personnel’s Experiences of Seeking Help for Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviours
Williamson, C., Busuttil, W., Simms, A., Palmer, L., Stevelink, S. & Sharp, M.-L., 4 Apr 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: European journal of psychotraumatology. 16, 1, 2480990.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
A systematic review of military-to-civilian transition, The role of gender
Smith, A., Rafferty, L., Croak, B., Greenberg, N., Khan, R., Langston, V., Sharp, M. L., Stagg, A., Fear, N. & Stevelink, S., Feb 2025, In: PLoS ONE. 20, 2 February, e0316448.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Suicide in Military and Veteran Populations: A View Across the Five Eyes Nations
Mental Health Research and Innovation Collaborative (MHRIC), 14 Feb 2024, In: Psychiatry (Washington, D.C.).Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Problematic anger in military and veteran populations with and without PTSD: The elephant in the room
Mental Health Research and Innovation Collaborative (MHRIC), 6 Jun 2023, In: Journal of Anxiety Disorders.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Illegal drug use amongst male UK military personnel who sustained physical combat injuries: The ADVANCE cohort study
Dyball, D., Schofield, S., Bennett, A. N., Boos, C. J., Bull, A. M. J. & Fear, N. T., May 2025, In: Addictive Behaviors. 164, 108269.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Adverse Mental Health Outcomes and Alcohol Misuse Among UK Armed Forces Personnel: A 20-Year Cohort Study of Military Personnel Who Served During the Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts
Sharp, M.-L., Stone, J., Greenberg, N., Murphy, D., MacManus, D., Wessely, S., Stevelink, S. A. M., Fear, N. T., Jones, M., Franchini, S., Leal, R., Hull, L., Molloy, N., Burdett, H., Leightley, D. & Simms, A., 13 Dec 2024, (THELANCETPUBLICHEALTH-D-24-01983).Research output: Working paper/Preprint › Preprint
A systematic review of military-to-civilian transition, The role of gender
Smith, A., Rafferty, L., Croak, B., Greenberg, N., Khan, R., Langston, V., Sharp, M.-L., Stagg, A., Fear, N. & Stevelink, S., 3 Feb 2025, In: PLoS ONE. 20, 2 February, e0316448.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Structural and functional social support in UK military veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic and associations with mental health and wellbeing: a cross-sectional study
Grover, L., Sharp, M.-L., Jones, M., Burdett, H. & Fear, N., 8 Jan 2025, In: BMC Public Health. 25, 1, p. 96 1 p., 96.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Help seeking for self-reported alcohol problems among serving and ex-serving personnel: A cross-sectional study
Gribble, R., Stevelink, S., Spanakis, P., Goodwin, L. & Fear, N., Nov 2024, In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. 10, 5, p. 63-71 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Is lifetime traumatic brain injury a risk factor for mild cognitive impairment in veterans compared to non-veterans?
Akhanemhe, R., Stevelink, S. A. M., Corbett, A., Ballard, C., Brooker, H., Creese, B., Aarsland, D., Hampshire, A. & Greenberg, N., 2024, In: European journal of psychotraumatology. 15, 1, p. 2291965 2291965.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors of mild cognitive impairment in UK veterans and non-veterans
Akhanemhe, R., Stevelink, S. A. M., Corbett, A., Ballard, C., Brooker, H., Creese, B., Aarsland, D., Hampshire, A. & Greenberg, N., 11 Jun 2024, In: Occupational medicine (Oxford, England). 74, 4, p. 274-282 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
MARRIED IN THE MILITARY: RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION AND DISTRESS AMONG SERVING UK COUPLES
Gribble, R., Goodwin, L. & Fear, N., Apr 2025, In: Couple and Family Psychology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Holding and rupture: Describing posttraumatic stress among former UK Army and Royal Marine personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan
Palmer, L., Busuttil, W., Simms, A., Fear, N. T. & Stevelink, S. A. M., Aug 2024, In: PLoS ONE. 19, 8 August, e0308101.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Soldiers Don't Go Mad: A Story of Brotherhood, Poetry and Mental Illness During the First World War By Charles Glass
Jones, E., 12 Nov 2024, British Journal of Psychiatry, 255, p. 465-466.Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Book/Film/Article review
The association between perceived social support and mental health in combat-injured and uninjured male UK (ex-)military personnel: A cross-sectional study
Grover, L. E., Schofield , S., Burdett, H., Palmer, L., Bennett, A., Bull, A., Boos, C., Cullinan, P. & Fear, N., 13 Sept 2024, In: Journal of psychiatric research. 179, p. 167-174 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Psychosocial impacts of post-disaster compensation processes: narrative systematic review
Brooks, S., Rogers, B., Wessely, S., Patel, S. S. & Greenberg, N., 7 Oct 2024, In: BMC Psychology. 12, 1, p. 1 18 p., 539.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Health and Wellbeing Study of Serving and Ex-Serving UK Armed Forces Personnel: Phase 4 (Office for Veterans' Affairs Final Report)
Sharp, M.-L., Franchini, S., Jones, M., Leal, R., Wessely, S., Stevelink, S. & Fear, N., 9 Sept 2024Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Paternal PTSD or depression, adolescent mental health, and family functioning: A study of UK military families
Wickersham, A., Leightley, D., Baig, B., Chesnokov, M., Stein, A., Ramchandani, P., Downs, J., Parnell, N., Rye, K., Verey, A. & Fear, N. T., 29 Apr 2024, In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. 10, 2, p. 63-78 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Suicidal ideation in male UK military personnel who sustained a physical combat injury in Afghanistan and the mediating role of leaving service: The ADVANCE cohort study
Dyball, D., Williamson, C., Bennett, A. N., Schofield, S., Boos, C. J., Bull, A. M. J., Cullinan, P. & Fear, N., 31 Jul 2024, In: International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 70, 7, p. 1279-1288 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors of mild cognitive impairment in UK veterans and non-veterans
Akhanemhe, R., Stevelink, S., Ballard, C., Brooker, H., Creese, B., Aarsland, D., Hampshire, A. & Greenberg, N., 1 May 2024, In: Occupational Medicine. 74, 4, p. 274-282 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Level of perceived social support, and associated factors, in combat-exposed (ex-)military personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Grover, L., Williamson, C., Burdett, H., Palmer, L. & Fear, N., 21 May 2024, In: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 59, 12, p. 2119-2143 25 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Shorter communications: Exploring the impact of a brief smartphone-based alcohol intervention app (DrinksRation) on the quality of life of UK military veterans
Trompeter, N., Williamson, C., Rona, R., Carr, E., Simms, A., Agwuna, J., Fear, N., Goodwin, L., Murphy, D., Shearer, J. & Leightley, D., 6 Apr 2024, In: Behaviour Research and Therapy. 177, 104540.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
‘There’s no club, absolutely nothing’: Experiences of parents of Veterans living with illnesses and injuries in Canada
Tam-Seto, L., Norris, D., Richardson, M., Gribble, R., Fear, N. & Cramm, H., May 2024, In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. 10, 2, p. 130-139 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Reservist families and their understanding of military welfare support as a (non)military family
Connelly, V., Hennelly, S., Fear, N., Morrison, Z., Gribble, R. & Smith, J., May 2024, In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. 10, 2, p. 47-62 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Who am I? A qualitative exploration of the identities of spouses/partners of UK Armed Forces Veterans
Spikol, E., McGlinchey, E., Fear, N., Armour, C. & Gribble, R., May 2024, In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. 10, 2, p. 22-36 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The underlying mechanisms by which Post-Traumatic Growth is associated with cardiovascular health in male UK military personnel: The ADVANCE cohort study
Dyball, D., Bennett, A. N., Schofield, S., Cullinan, P., Boos, C. J., Bull, A. M. J., Stevelink, S. A. M. & Fear, N. T., 11 Apr 2024, In: Journal of Health Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053241240196.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Exploring the impact of a brief smartphone-based alcohol intervention app (DrinksRation) on the quality of life of UK military veterans
Trompeter, N., Williamson, C., Rona, R., Carr, E., Simms, A., Agwuna, J., Fear, N., Goodwin, L., Murphy, D., Shearer, J. & Leightley, D., Jun 2024, In: Behaviour Research and Therapy. 177, 104540.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Reconsolidation of traumatic memories protocol compared to trauma-focussed cognitive behaviour therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in UK military veterans: a randomised controlled feasibility trial
Sturt, J., Rogers, R., Armour, C., Cameron, D., De Rijk, L., Fiorentino, F., Forbes, T., Glen, C., Grealish, A., Kreft, J., Meye de Souza, I., Spikol, E., Tzouvara, V. & Greenberg, N., Dec 2023, In: Pilot and Feasibility Studies. 9, 1, 175.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Risk and protective factors for self-harm and suicide behaviours among serving and ex-serving personnel of the UK Armed Forces, Canadian Armed Forces, Australian Defence Force and New Zealand Defence Force: A systematic review
Williamson, C., Croak, B., Simms, A., Fear, N., Sharp, M.-L. & Stevelink, S., 26 Apr 2024, In: PLoS ONE. 19, 4 April, e0299239.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Transition outcomes of Armed Forces Personnel with Battlefield Injuries: A Summary of the Literature
Burdett, H., Verey, A. & Fear, N., 2022, 22 p.Research output: Book/Report › Report
Mental health, ethnicity and the UK armed forces: Historical lessons for research and policy
Jones, E., Palmer, L. & Bhui, K., Mar 2024, In: Asian journal of psychiatry. 93, 103957, 103957.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Gender differences in structural and attitudinal barriers to mental healthcare in UK Armed Forces personnel and veterans with self-reported mental health problems
Trompeter, N., Rafferty, L., Dyball, D., McKenzie, A., Greenberg, N., Fear, N. T. & Stevelink, S. A. M., 2023, (Accepted/In press) In: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Families transition, too! Military families transition out of service: a scoping review of research from the Five Eyes nations
Dodge, J., Kale, C., Keeling, M., Gribble, R., Taylor-Beirne , S., Maher, S., Castro, C. A., Fear, N. & Sullivan, K., 2023, In: Journal of Family Social Work.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Understanding and mapping the psychosocial wellbeing support needs of veteran family members across the UK: a multi-methods study
Gillin, N., McShane, T., Gribble, R., Palmer, L., Armour, C., Fear, N. & Fossey, M., 2023Research output: Book/Report › Report › peer-review
The UK Veterans Family Study: Psychological health, wellbeing, and social support among UK veteran families
Gribble, R., Spikol, E., Parkes, S., Dighton, G., Palmer, L., McShane, T., Armour, C. & Fear, N., Jan 2024Research output: Book/Report › Report › peer-review
Associations between paternal PTSD or depression, adolescent mental health, and family functioning: A cross-sectional study of UK military families
Wickersham, A., Leightley, D., Baig, B., Chesnokov, M., Stein, A., Ramchandani, P., Downs, J., Parnell, N., Rye, K., Verey, A. & Fear, N., 22 Jan 2024, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Experiences of working from home: umbrella review
Hall, C. E., Brooks, S. K., Mills, F., Greenberg, N. & Weston, D., 4 Jan 2024, In: JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH. 66, 1, uiad013.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Activities
Real Stories 2024
Staff at KCMHR are delighted to launch 'Real Stories 2024', an initiative which captures, via images, the diverse experiences that form the rich tapestry of military life. This online catalogue, comprised of a series of photographs, poetry and prose, provides a unique insight into what life is like for the UK Armed Forces community today. The theme of the 2024 open call was ‘Capturing Meaningful Life Events’.
News
20-year study finds rates of PTSD and common mental disorders on the rise in Armed Forces personnel and veterans
The latest research from the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR), King’s College London and commissioned by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs...
The interplay between serious physical combat injuries, leaving military service and suicidal ideation
Findings from ADVANCE study, looked at suicidal ideation within UK military personnel who sustained a serious physical combat injury on deployment in...
The Princess Royal attends the 2024 Veterans' Mental Health Conference
On Tuesday 14 May 2024, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attended the 2024 Veterans’ Mental Health Conference, organised by the King’s Centre for...
King's Centre for Military Health Research and Forces in Mind Trust Research Centre host Australian Minister of Veterans' Affairs
Australian government delegation met with centres' researchers to hear about the ongoing work and support for veterans.
Restore and Rebuild therapy shows potential as treatment for moral injury in UK Armed Forces
New research from the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) and Combat Stress, the UK’s leading veterans’ mental health charity, has shown that a...
Group leads
Professor of Epidemiology
Regius Professor of Psychiatry