Correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in Marines back from war.
The effect of combat and operational stress on the mental health of military personnel is a major concern. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with possible posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A questionnaire was completed by 1,569 Marines who deployed in support of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (2002-2007). Using the PTSD Checklist with a cutoff score of 44, 17.1% of the sample screened positive for possible PTSD. Of 9 demographic and psychosocial factors examined in relation to PTSD, 4 were significant in a multivariate analysis: deployment-related stressors, combat exposure, marital status, and education. Deployment-related stressors had a stronger association with PTSD than any other variable. This is an important finding because deployment-related stressors are potentially modifiable.
Booth-Kewley
Stephanie
S
Behavioral Science and Epidemiology Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA 92106-3521, USA. stephanie.kewley@med.navy.mil
Larson
Gerald E
GE
Highfill-McRoy
Robyn M
RM
Garland
Cedric F
CF
Gaskin
Thomas A
TA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult