A longitudinal evaluation of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD in detecting war-related stress symptomatology.
The long-term psychological effects of war-related stress were assessed 3 years after the Persian Gulf War with the Mississippi Scale for Desert Storm War Zone Personnel (M-PTSD-DS), developed from the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD (M-PTSD: Keane, Caddell, Taylor, 1988). The M-PTSD-DS scores of 30 Marine reservists were compared with the number of DSM-III-R PTSD criteria each met at two points in time, initially at 3 months after the Gulf War and again 3 years later. Findings support the construct validity (sensitivity) of this scale in the immediate and longitudinal measurement of relatively nonpathological degrees of war-related stress in reservists not involved in direct fighting. Initial level of PTSD symptomatology upon returning from a war zone was predictive of M-PTSD-DS scores 3 years later. This scale was effective in detecting varying degrees of war-related stress in this self-selected group of reservists and warrants further study.
Sloan
P
P
Psychology Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee 37684, USA.
Arsenault
L
L
Hilsenroth
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology; D014857:Warfare