Deployment stressors, gender, and mental health outcomes among Gulf War I veterans.
Findings indicate that war-zone exposure has negative implications for the postdeployment adjustment of veterans; however, most studies have relied on limited conceptualizations of war-zone exposure and focused on male samples. In this study, an array of deployment stressors that were content valid for both female and male Gulf War I military personnel was examined to elucidate gender differences in war-zone exposure and identify gender-based differential associations between stressors and mental health outcomes. While women and men were exposed to both mission-related and interpersonal stressors and both stressor categories were associated with mental health outcomes, women reported more interpersonal stressors and these stressors generally had a stronger impact on women's than on men's mental health. Exceptions are described, and implications are discussed.
Vogt
Dawne S
DS
Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts 02130, USA. Dawne.Vogt@med.va.gov
Pless
Anica P
AP
King
Lynda A
LA
King
Daniel W
DW
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D047830:Gulf War; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D017406:Sexual Harassment; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*