title: Interactive effects of stress and individual differences on alcohol use and posttraumatic stress disorder among personnel deployed to Guantanamo Bay.
abstract: This study examines the role of factors such as perceived stress, neuroticism, beliefs in psychotherapy stigma, resilience, and demographics in understanding posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) among deployed military personnel. Results show that personnel who screened positive for PTSD were more likely to screen positive for AUD (versus those who did not screen positive for PTSD). Perceived stress, neuroticism, and psychotherapy stigma all have direct multivariate relationships with PTSD symptoms. Moderated regression analyses show that the positive relationship between perceived stress and PTSD symptoms is significantly stronger among those scoring high on neuroticism and psychotherapy stigma. The positive relationship between perceived stress and AUD symptoms is only significant among those scoring high on psychotherapy stigma. Given the moderating role of psychotherapy stigma in the relationship between perceived stress and PTSD symptoms and the relationship between perceived stress and AUD symptoms efforts to reduce the stigma associated with mental health care in the military should be expanded. Also, the current research adds to the literature highlighting the role of neuroticism as a key variable in understanding PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control, United States. Electronic address: Gabriel.m.delarosa@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gabriel M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: De La Rosa
authors.affiliation: Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control, United States.
authors.forename: Eileen M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Delaney
authors.affiliation: Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control, United States.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Webb-Murphy
authors.affiliation: Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control, United States.
authors.forename: Scott L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D058749:Military Facilities; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alcohol abuse; Military; Neuroticism; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Psychotherapy stigma; Resilience