Posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic growth among Israeli ex-pows.
In this article, the authors present a prospective study that dealt with pathological (posttraumatic stress disorder; PTSD) and salutary (posttraumatic growth; PTG) outcomes of captivity and the correlates of those outcomes among a sample of ex-prisoners of war (POWs) and a control group of combat veterans. Posttraumatic stress disorder and its correlates were assessed in 1991 and 2003, and PTG was assessed in 2003. The results indicate that ex-POWs exhibited higher levels of PTSD and PTG than did the controls. In addition, both linear and quadratic associations between PTSD and PTG were found. The authors discuss some unresolved issues related to assessment of PTG and salutary outcomes, and outline directions for future research.
Solomon
Zahava
Z
Adler Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel. solomon@post.tau.ac.il
Dekel
Rachel
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014857:Warfare