title: Sleep problems and physical pain as moderators of the relationship between PTSD symptoms and aggression in returning veterans.
abstract: This study investigated sleep problems and physical pain as moderators of the relationship between PTSD symptoms and aggression among returning veterans. Prior research has demonstrated associations between PTSD symptoms and aggression, but little work has sought to identify moderators of this relationship. Sleep problems and physical pain are both common clinical problems among veterans and have theoretical links to aggression.
  
  
  
  Participants were 103 returning service members and veterans recruited from the greater Boston area and enrolled in the VA Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Stress Disorders (TRACTS). Aggression outcomes included physical and psychological intimate partner aggression (IPA), as well as physical and psychological general aggression (GA). Variables were measured via self-report questionnaires, with the exception of PTSD symptoms, which were assessed via clinician interview.
  
  
  
  Bivariate correlations revealed significant associations between PTSD symptoms, sleep problems, physical pain, and aggression outcomes. Both sleep problems and physical pain significantly moderated the relationship between PTSD symptoms and physical GA, such that this relationship became stronger at higher levels of these moderator variables. However, moderation was not found for the other aggression outcomes.
  
  
  
  Findings suggest that sleep problems and physical pain strengthen the relationship between veterans' PTSD symptoms and physical aggression toward others. Although further replication and elucidation is needed, these factors may disinhibit aggression among those at higher risk due to their PTSD symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: National Center for PTSD.
authors.forename: Adam D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: LaMotte
authors.affiliation: National Center for PTSD.
authors.forename: Casey T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Taft
authors.affiliation: National Center for PTSD.
authors.forename: Robin P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Weatherill
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Melynda D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Casement
authors.affiliation: VHA VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Suzannah K
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6582-1673
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Creech
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) National Network Research Center.
authors.forename: William P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Milberg
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) National Network Research Center.
authors.forename: Catherine B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Fortier
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) National Network Research Center.
authors.forename: Regina E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: McGlinchey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data