Objective      To investigate of the features of mental quality in army residents in high-altitude plateau.       Methods      A self-made general information questionnaire and Mental Quality Questionnaire for Armymen (MQQA) were used to test 2 589 army residents living in high-altitude plateau (stationed more than 3 100 m

with a duration longer than 6 months). Students’t test and one-way ANOVA analysis were used to make statistical analysis with SPSS statistical software.       Results      ① MQQA score and dimension scores were significantly lower in army residents in high-altitude plateau than the soldiers norm (P0.01). There were 19 (0.74%) military personnel having excellent psychological quality

187(7.22%) having good psychological quality sodiers

1 412 having moderate mental quality (54.54%)

682 having inferior mental quality (26.34%)

and 289 having poor mental quality (11.16%). ② There was no significant difference between the male and female soldiers in mental quality except their loyalty dimension (P0.05). Mental quality was decreased in the rank from officers to sergeants to soldiers (P0.05

P0.01)

and in educational levels from having college degree to senior middle school to junior middle school (P0.01)

though no significant difference in those having bachelor or college degree (P0.05). MQQA total score

and intelligent

loyal

and self-confidence scores were significantly lower in the 15- to 25-year-old group than the 25- to 35-

and 35-to 45-year-old groups (P0.01)

though no significant differences in the later groups (P0.05). With the time longer for military service

all factors showed a trend of “rise-fall-rise”. There was a significant turning point in the every 3 years of military service

except the frustration factor. Beside frustration factor

soldiers stationing less than 1 year in high-altitude plateau had significantly lower scores than those residing longer than 3 (P0.01)

but no in other factors (P0.05).       Conclusion      Mental quality of army residents in high-altitude plateau is poor

showing differences in gender

grade

age

military service

in residing times

and educational level.