title: Correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in Marines back from war.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Science and Epidemiology Department, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA 92106-3521, USA. stephanie.kewley@med.navy.mil
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Booth-Kewley
authors.forename: Gerald E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: Robyn M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Highfill-McRoy
authors.forename: Cedric F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Garland
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Gaskin
mesh_terms: 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