Modification of the Adjustment Disorder New Module20 (ADNM‐20) for Use in Military Environments (ADNM‐20‐MIL): A Delphi and Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Objectives Despite its high prevalence and strong linkages with dangerous health outcomes, research on Adjustment Disorder (AjD) is hindered by lack of diagnostic clarity. AjD is categorized as a stress‐related disorder, highlighting the important role of the stressor(s) on AjD symptom onse...

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Main Authors: Jouhayna Bajjani‐Gebara, Dawnkimberly Hopkins, Joan Wasserman, Ryan Landoll, Margaux Keller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/mpr.70021
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author Jouhayna Bajjani‐Gebara
Dawnkimberly Hopkins
Joan Wasserman
Ryan Landoll
Margaux Keller
author_facet Jouhayna Bajjani‐Gebara
Dawnkimberly Hopkins
Joan Wasserman
Ryan Landoll
Margaux Keller
author_sort Jouhayna Bajjani‐Gebara
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Objectives Despite its high prevalence and strong linkages with dangerous health outcomes, research on Adjustment Disorder (AjD) is hindered by lack of diagnostic clarity. AjD is categorized as a stress‐related disorder, highlighting the important role of the stressor(s) on AjD symptom onset and severity. The military community shows increased risk for AjD, and existing tools do not capture the stressors most relevant and appropriate to this unique community. A diagnostic assessment tool developed specifically for this specialized population may provide critical capability to clinical assessment. Methods A Delphi method was used to create a military‐specific version of the standard assessment for Adjustment Disorders (ADNM‐20), named ADNM‐20‐MIL. This tool was pilot‐tested in a sample of U.S. Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) with AjD diagnoses. Results Throughout the Delphi process, military‐specific stressors were identified and integrated into the ADNM‐20‐MIL, then refined and validated, ensuring their applicability and relevance to the military context. Conclusions The ADNM‐20‐MIL will enable timely diagnosis and targeted treatment for AjD, which remains a highly prevalent and destabilizing diagnosis in ADSMs.
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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series International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research
spelling doaj-art-4722e9897a5f486f82863358d9153a3e2025-08-20T03:30:41ZengWileyInternational Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research1049-89311557-06572025-06-01342n/an/a10.1002/mpr.70021Modification of the Adjustment Disorder New Module20 (ADNM‐20) for Use in Military Environments (ADNM‐20‐MIL): A Delphi and Pilot StudyJouhayna Bajjani‐Gebara0Dawnkimberly Hopkins1Joan Wasserman2Ryan Landoll3Margaux Keller4Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences School of Medicine Bethesda Maryland USADaniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences School of Medicine Bethesda Maryland USADaniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences School of Medicine Bethesda Maryland USADepartment of Family Medicine Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences School of Medicine Bethesda Maryland USAHenry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc. Bethesda Maryland USAABSTRACT Objectives Despite its high prevalence and strong linkages with dangerous health outcomes, research on Adjustment Disorder (AjD) is hindered by lack of diagnostic clarity. AjD is categorized as a stress‐related disorder, highlighting the important role of the stressor(s) on AjD symptom onset and severity. The military community shows increased risk for AjD, and existing tools do not capture the stressors most relevant and appropriate to this unique community. A diagnostic assessment tool developed specifically for this specialized population may provide critical capability to clinical assessment. Methods A Delphi method was used to create a military‐specific version of the standard assessment for Adjustment Disorders (ADNM‐20), named ADNM‐20‐MIL. This tool was pilot‐tested in a sample of U.S. Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) with AjD diagnoses. Results Throughout the Delphi process, military‐specific stressors were identified and integrated into the ADNM‐20‐MIL, then refined and validated, ensuring their applicability and relevance to the military context. Conclusions The ADNM‐20‐MIL will enable timely diagnosis and targeted treatment for AjD, which remains a highly prevalent and destabilizing diagnosis in ADSMs.https://doi.org/10.1002/mpr.70021adjustment disorderbehavioral healthmental healthmilitary stressorsUS military
spellingShingle Jouhayna Bajjani‐Gebara
Dawnkimberly Hopkins
Joan Wasserman
Ryan Landoll
Margaux Keller
Modification of the Adjustment Disorder New Module20 (ADNM‐20) for Use in Military Environments (ADNM‐20‐MIL): A Delphi and Pilot Study
International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research
adjustment disorder
behavioral health
mental health
military stressors
US military
title Modification of the Adjustment Disorder New Module20 (ADNM‐20) for Use in Military Environments (ADNM‐20‐MIL): A Delphi and Pilot Study
title_full Modification of the Adjustment Disorder New Module20 (ADNM‐20) for Use in Military Environments (ADNM‐20‐MIL): A Delphi and Pilot Study
title_fullStr Modification of the Adjustment Disorder New Module20 (ADNM‐20) for Use in Military Environments (ADNM‐20‐MIL): A Delphi and Pilot Study
title_full_unstemmed Modification of the Adjustment Disorder New Module20 (ADNM‐20) for Use in Military Environments (ADNM‐20‐MIL): A Delphi and Pilot Study
title_short Modification of the Adjustment Disorder New Module20 (ADNM‐20) for Use in Military Environments (ADNM‐20‐MIL): A Delphi and Pilot Study
title_sort modification of the adjustment disorder new module20 adnm 20 for use in military environments adnm 20 mil a delphi and pilot study
topic adjustment disorder
behavioral health
mental health
military stressors
US military
url https://doi.org/10.1002/mpr.70021
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