New research suggests that improving the quality and quantity of U.S. military members' sleep following deployment could help reduce other health problems, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

However, researchers found that a lack of consistent and transparent sleep-related policies may impede efforts to promote sleep health among service members.

"The U.S. military has shifted from combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan toward helping service members and veterans reintegrate into noncombat roles," Wendy Troxel, co-leader of the study and a behavioral scientist at RAND, said in a statement. "One issue that is often overlooked once military men and women return home is that of persistent sleep problems, because in many ways such problems are viewed as endemic to military culture."

Sleep disturbances are a common reaction to stress and are linked to a host of physical and mental health problems. Sleep problems often follow a chronic course, persisting long after service members return home from combat, with consequences for their reintegration and the readiness and resiliency of the force, researchers say.

For the study, researchers examined the frequency of sleep disorders and factors that contribute to the problem. A survey of nearly 2,000 service members from all branches of the U.S. military found sleep problems had negative effects on mental health, daytime functioning and perceived operational readiness.

"Military policies on prevention of sleep problems are lacking, and medical policies focus on treating mental disorders that are often linked with sleep problems, instead of sleep itself," said Regina Shih, project co-leader and a senior social scientist at RAND. "We know that sleep problems may precede the onset of mental disorders."

While there may be stigma about seeking sleep treatment, it may be lower than the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health problems. Researchers say this suggests sleep could be a gateway to improving psychological health and readiness in service members.

The study is available at https://www.rand.org.