Associations of language and social-communicative difficulties, mental health problems, physical activity, and fitness for military service at military call-up
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Auditorium F202
Topic of the dissertation
Associations of language and social-communicative difficulties, mental health problems, physical activity, and fitness for military service at military call-up
Doctoral candidate
Bachelor of Medicine Jan Silvala
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research unit of clinical medicine
Subject of study
Psychiatry
Opponent
Professor Markus Jokela, University of Helsinki
Custos
Associate Professor Tuula Hurtig, University of Oulu
Associations of language and social interaction difficulties, mental health problems, physical activity, and fitness for military service at military call-up
Problems with language and social interaction are known to be associated with difficulties in social skills, mental health problems and physical activity, but research on these associations among young men is limited. Also, the relationship between these factors and fitness for military service is not well understood.
This study aimed to investigate the associations of self-reported language and social interaction difficulties, feelings of depression and anxiety, physical activity, how they viewed their own physical performance, and fitness for military service at call-up among young men. This study is a part of the Young Men in the North -project and includes data from 2,614 men (mean age 18.1) who participated in the 2014 Finnish Defence Forces military call-up. The young men filled out a questionnaire including questions on reading and writing skills, language understanding and production skills, social interaction difficulties, their leisure time physical activity, how they view their own physical performance, feelings of depression and anxiety using standard measuring tools. Young men’s fitness for military service (fit, permanent or temporary release) was provided by the call-up board.
The results showed a clear association between reading and writing difficulties, language understanding and production difficulties, and permanent or temporary release from military service. Difficulties in social interaction increased the likelihood of being released. Similarly, feelings of depression and anxiety increased the likelihood of being released, and were also associated with difficulties in social interaction. Feeling better about their own physical performance and a higher level of physical activity lowered the likelihood of release, and the likelihood was even lower when combined with good social interaction skills.
Based on these findings, the evaluation of language and social interaction difficulties, feelings of depression and anxiety, and physical activity could help ensure healthy and successful military service. Screening and providing support for these issues before and during the call-up process is needed. More research is needed to investigate the associations among these difficulties, and how men experiencing them succeed in military service.
This study aimed to investigate the associations of self-reported language and social interaction difficulties, feelings of depression and anxiety, physical activity, how they viewed their own physical performance, and fitness for military service at call-up among young men. This study is a part of the Young Men in the North -project and includes data from 2,614 men (mean age 18.1) who participated in the 2014 Finnish Defence Forces military call-up. The young men filled out a questionnaire including questions on reading and writing skills, language understanding and production skills, social interaction difficulties, their leisure time physical activity, how they view their own physical performance, feelings of depression and anxiety using standard measuring tools. Young men’s fitness for military service (fit, permanent or temporary release) was provided by the call-up board.
The results showed a clear association between reading and writing difficulties, language understanding and production difficulties, and permanent or temporary release from military service. Difficulties in social interaction increased the likelihood of being released. Similarly, feelings of depression and anxiety increased the likelihood of being released, and were also associated with difficulties in social interaction. Feeling better about their own physical performance and a higher level of physical activity lowered the likelihood of release, and the likelihood was even lower when combined with good social interaction skills.
Based on these findings, the evaluation of language and social interaction difficulties, feelings of depression and anxiety, and physical activity could help ensure healthy and successful military service. Screening and providing support for these issues before and during the call-up process is needed. More research is needed to investigate the associations among these difficulties, and how men experiencing them succeed in military service.
Last updated: 5.5.2025