[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 127 (Friday, July 2, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38499-38500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16089]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy

[Docket ID: USN-2010-0023]


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 the Naval Health Research Center 
(NHRC), Department of the Navy, announces a proposed extension of a 
public information collection and seeks public comment on the 
provisions thereof.
    Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize 
the burden of the information collection on respondents, including 
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.

DATES: Consideration will be given to all comments received by August 
31, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number and 
title, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Federal Docket Management System Office, 1160 
Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1160.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency 
name, docket number and title for this Federal Register document. The 
general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the 
public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov as they are received without 
change, including any personal identifiers or contact information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this 
proposed information collection or to obtain a copy of the proposal and 
associated collection instruments, please write to Dr. Jerry Larson, 
Ph.D.; Head, Behavioral Science and Epidemiology Program, Naval Health 
Research Center; P. O. Box 85122, San Diego, CA 92186-5122; telephone 
619-553-8402 (this is not a toll-free number) or fax: 619-553-8459.
    Title and OMB Number: Mental Health Issues among Separating 
Marines; OMB Number 0703-0056.
    Needs and Uses: Tens of thousands of Marines transition from the 
military to civilian life each year, the majority of whom have been 
exposed to deployment stressors that have put them at high risk for 
stress-related disorders. This longitudinal study builds on a 2008 
pilot study assessing the prevalence of mental health outcomes among 
Sailors and Marines transitioning from the Service, and identifying 
predictors of and changes in mental health and resilience over time. 
For the baseline component of the current study, a paper-and-pencil 
questionnaire was administered to approximately 2,700 active-duty 
Marines in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) during routine 
mandatory separation counseling via group administration at 6 selected 
installations worldwide. Based on the estimated number of attendees per 
TAP class and the number of classes conducted during the 4-month data 
collection period (January-April 2010), we estimate that approximately 
4,900 Marines were eligible for inclusion into the study, giving us an 
approximate 55 percent response rate. The baseline survey included 
selected items from the post-deployment health reassessment (PDHRA), 
along with additional

[[Page 38500]]

questions on risk factors for poor civilian readjustment, and other 
biographical and psychological content. DoD regulations stipulate that 
all military personnel must receive pre-separation counseling no less 
than 90 days before leaving active duty.
    NHRC proposes tracking over time the mental well-being of eligible 
baseline respondents for the longitudinal portion of the study through 
a follow-on survey 3 to 6 months after separation from military 
service, after they have completed the transition from military to 
civilian life. Data from extant historical personnel and medical files 
will also be combined with survey data to develop models that 
demonstrate the influence of combat, and a variety of covariates, on 
mental health symptoms, resilience, and substance abuse. We estimate 
that approximately 1,850 of the 2,700 baseline participants will be 
eligible for and consent to participate in the follow-up survey. In 
order to facilitate locating these respondents, the baseline 
questionnaire requested participants provide name, relocation plans, 
names and contact information for two friends or relatives who always 
know where the respondent is living, and the respondent's date of birth 
and social security number. The follow-up survey will be sent to 
respondents through the mail. Respondents will also have the option of 
completing this survey via the Web, which will closely simulate the 
hardcopy version of the instrument.
    Affected Public: Marine Corps personnel who have separated from the 
Military in the six-month period following the baseline survey.
    Annual Burden Hours: 1,850.
    Number of Respondents: 1,850.
    Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Average Burden per Response: 1 hour.
    Frequency: One time.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Summary of Information Collection

    This study population is unique because there is a need for 
longitudinal mental health research in the Military that spans both 
Active Duty and the period of reintegration into civilian life after 
combat exposure. Given that disability and poor physical health were 
significant predictors of mental health problems in the pilot study, 
that stigma continues to be an issue for military personnel seeking 
mental health care, and that significant difficulties remain in 
transitioning mental health care, this type of program would appear 
especially appropriate and suited for implementation in the U.S. 
military.
    The follow-up survey will consist of a mailed paper-and-pencil 
questionnaire with the option of completing the questionnaire via the 
Web. All participants from the baseline survey who have separated from 
military service since completion of the baseline survey will be 
eligible for the second phase of study and their participation in the 
follow-up survey will be requested. Respondents were informed during 
the Introductory Briefing to the baseline survey that they may be 
contacted for a follow-up interview.
    Approximately 15 percent of Military personnel are women. 
Therefore, it is estimated that 15 percent will be the proportion of 
women completing the survey; the remaining 85 percent will be male 
respondents.

    Dated: June 28, 2010.
Mitchell S. Bryman,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2010-16089 Filed 7-1-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P