| ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to assess the level of quality of life (QOL) amongmilitary personnel stationed in the desert, to find out the main factors influencing their QOL, to reveal effects of sociological factors, personality, life events and subjective evaluation of their circumstances on their QOL, thus to provide references and guidance for the formulation of effective intervening strategies to improve their QOL.MethodsEach company of a regiment stationed in Inner Mongolia desert was labeled anumber. Using random and group sampling method, 11 companies were chosen, including 312 male military personnel. Questionnaire survey was conducted and 302 effective questionnaires were collected with an effective rate of 97%. And 322 male military personnel stationed in the hinterland were conducted survey with the same questionnaire as the control. 310 effective questionnaires were collected with an effective rate of 96%.The questionnaire was composed of WHOQOL-BREF, Eysenck PersonalityQuestionnaire (EPQ), and Life Events Questionnaire for Military Personnel.The survey was carried out with a company as a unit in the guidance of professional psychologists. The direction was given to the group, followed by filling of the questionnaire by subjects and the questionnaires were collected on the spot.The database was established and statistic analysis were performed using SPSS 11.5 and statistical methods included descriptive analysis, t test, One-Way ANOVA., Chi-Square, correlation analysis and regression analysis.Results1 The QOL of frontier military personnel stationed in Inner Mongolia desert and the comparison with that of military personnel stationed in the hinterland. 1.1 The QOL of frontier military personnel stationed in the desert The scores of physiological, psychological, social, and environmental domain of QOL were 65.33 + 13.83, 62.42+15.50, 64.18+17.03, 49.37+16.44 respectively, the scores of physiological, psychological, and social domain of QOL were much higher than the average, while the score of environmental domain of QOL was a little lower than the average. In the physiological domain of QOL, the item score concerning sleeping and rest was the lowest with about 37.7% complaining of poor sleeping. However, 70% to 80% self-evaluated good or very good in the items of drug dependence and mobility. In the psychological domain, the item scores on memory and concentration were the worst with 14% complaining of bad or very bad memory and concentration. However, item scores concerning self-esteem were the highest with 67% evaluating their self-esteem as good or very good. In the social domain, the item scores concerning social life with women were the lowest with 20.5% feeling dissatisfied with the social life, while the item scores concerning social support were the highest with 72% feeling satisfied. In the environmental domain, the item scoresconcerning opportunities to acquire knowledge and techniques were the lowest with 47.7% complaining of insufficient information resources. The item scores concerning social security and financial resources were comparatively higher with more than half thinking of good or very good safety and financial condition.1.2 Comparison on QOL of military personnel stationed in the desert with that of military personnel stationed in the hinterland.There were not significant differences in the total scores of physiological, psychological, social domain of QOL between the two groups. By comparing the item scores of the three domains, there were significant differences in the items of sleeping in physiological domain, and self-esteem in psychological domain between the two groups. The scores of the desert military men were significantly lower than that of hinterland military men. There was significant difference in the total score of environmental domain of QOL between the two groups. The satisfaction with the environment among the desert military men was significantly lower than that of the hinterland military men. In the items of environmental domain, the hinterland military men got significantly higher scores in the items of environment, service, and information, while the desert military men got significantly higher scores in the item of finance.2 Effects of sociological factors on QOL among frontier military personnel stationed in the desert.There was significant difference in scores of physiological domain, social domain and environmental domain among different age groups. The group aged from 16 to 19 years got the lowest scores in physiological domain and the scores of this group descended as the age increased in the domains of social and environmental.There was significant difference in scores of physiological domain and environmental domain among different rank groups. In physiological domain, theofficer got the highest score, while in environmental domain, the soldiers got the highest score.There was significant difference in scores of physiological domain and environmental domain among different educational level. As the educational level increasing, the scores in physiological domain increased while the scores in environmental domain decreased.There was significant difference in scores of social domain and environmental domain between different marriage statuses. The unmarried soldiers got higher scores than the married soldiers.There was significant difference in scores of physiological domain among military personnel with different service time. The desert military men who served for less than one year got the lowest scores.There was significant difference in scores of physiological domain between singleton and non-singleton military personnel. The singleton desert military men got higher scores than non-singleton ones.There was significant difference in scores of social domain and environmental domain among different economic status groups. The scores increased as the economic status improved.There was no significant difference in scores of four domains of QOL among military personnel with different family habitation place.3 Correlation analysis among personality, life events, subjective evaluation on circumstances and QOL among military personnel stationed in Inner Mongoliandesert.3.1 Correlation analysis between personality and QOLThe four domains of QOL were correlated with neuroticism quite negatively,especially in psychological domain (r=-0.592) and physiological domain (r=-0.572). But they positively correlated with extroversion, especially in psychological domain(r=0.387).3.2 Correlation analysis between life events and QOLExpect for no significant correlation of the factor concering future with socialdomain of QOL, the four factors of life events were negatively correlated with the domains of QOL. The factor of family events had close correlationship with physiological domain (r=-0.463), psychological domain (r=-0.389) and environmental domain (r=-0.347). The factor of interpersonal relation event had close correlationship with environmental domain (r=-0.502), psychological domain (r=-0.354), and physiological domain (r=-0.347). The factor of circumstances had close correlationship with environmental domain (r=-0.220) and physiological domain (r=-0.201). The factor concerning future had close correlationship with environmental domain (r=-0.209).3.3 Correlation analysis between subjective evaluation on circumstances and QOL.The life condition, satisfaction with work, perspective employment, and contact with the outside had positive correlation with the domains of QOL. The work stress had siginificantly negative correlation with the physiological domain, psychological domain and environmental domain of QOL, but no significant correlation with social domain. The total scores of subjective evaluation to circumstances had significantly positive correlation with the four domains of QOL, especially with environmental domain and psychological domain.4 Multiple regression analysis of personality, life events, and subjective evaluation on circumstances with QOL among military personnel stationed in Inner Mongolian desert.4.1 Multiple regression analysis of QOL physiological domain among desert military men.The most important factors influencing the physiological domain of QOL wereneuroticism, family life events, circumstances and the subjective evaluation on circumstances. The determinant coefficient was 0.409 in the regression equation, and the four factors could explain 40.9% of the variance of the physiological domain of QOL.4.2 Multiple regression analysis of psychological domain of QOL among the desert military men.The most important factors influencing the psychological domain of QOL were neuroticism, the subjective evaluation on circumstances, extroversion, family life events, and circumstances. The determinant coefficient was 0.480 in the regression equation, and the five factors could explain 48.0% of the variance of the psychological domain of QOL.4.3 Multiple regression analysis of social domain of QOL among the desert military men.The most important factors influencing the social domain of QOL were the subjective evaluation on circumstances, neuroticism, family life events. The determinant coefficient was 0.164 in the regression equation, and the three factors could explain 16.4% of the variance of the social domain of QOL.4.4 Multiple regression analysis of environmental domain of QOL among the desert military men.The most important factors influencing the environmental domain of QOL were the factor of interpersonal relation events, the subjective evaluation on circumstances, and neuroticism. The determinant coefficient was 0.420 in the regression equation, and it meant the three factors could explain 42.0% of the variance of the environmental domain of QOL.Conclusionl.The QOL of the military personnel stationed in Inner Mongolian desert was atthe moderate or above level in the domains of physiological, psychological and social, and the QOL level was a little lower than average level in the environmental domain.2.The QOL of the military personnel stationed in Inner Mongolian desert was significantly poorer than that of military personnel stationed in the hinterland in the domain of environment, which indicates terrible desert climate and special military circumstances mainly affect the environmental domain of their QOL.3.The factors, including sleep quality, self-esteem status, environmental conditions, satisfaction with medical service, and opportunities of obtaining knowledge and technical skills, could affect the QOL of the military personnel stationed in Inner Mongolian desert.4.Except for family habitations, the factors, including age, rank, educational level, marriage status, service time, singleton or non-singleton, economic status, could affect QOL of the military personnel stationed in Inner Mongolian desert, especially physiological domain and environmental domain.5.QOL of the military personnel stationed in Inner Mongolian desert is negatively affected by introvert personality, unstable emotion, negative life events and negative subjective evaluation on circumstances.6. Importance should be attached to the mental health education among military personnel stationed in the frontier desert to help desert military personnel improve mental qualities, perfect their personalities, instruct them to understand and positively cope with life realities, enhance their ability to endure frustration and to adapt to the environment, which have positive significance for the improvement of QOL among military personnel stationed in frontier desert.
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