title: Consequences of PTSD for the work and family quality of life of female and male U.S. Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans.
abstract: Although it is well established that combat-related PTSD can lead to reduced quality of life, less is known about the relative effect of PTSD on different aspects of former service members' post-military readjustment. Moreover, research on female veterans' reintegration experiences is limited. This study aimed to document the work and family quality of life of post-9/11 male and female veterans and evaluate the gender-specific impact of PTSD on veterans' work and family outcomes.
  
  
  
  A national sample of 524 post-9/11 veterans completed mailed surveys as part of a longitudinal study. Descriptive and regression-based analyses were gender-stratified and weighted to enhance representativeness to the larger population.
  
  
  
  With a few notable exceptions, the majority of post-9/11 U.S. veterans reported high work and family quality of life. PTSD was not associated with either employment or relationship status; however, it did predict poorer work and family functioning and satisfaction for both men and women, with the most consistent negative effects on intimate relationships. Several gender differences were found, primarily with respect to work experiences.
  
  
  
  Although most post-9/11 veterans appear to be doing well in both their work and family lives, results support the need for interventions that can mitigate the negative effect of PTSD and other associated mental health conditions on several aspects of work and family quality of life. Findings contribute to research suggesting both similarities and differences in the post-military readjustment of male and female post-9/11 veterans and underscore the need for additional consideration of the unique work-related challenges women experience following military service.
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Sciences Division (116B-3), National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA. Dawne.Vogt@va.gov.|Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 725 Albany (7B), Boston, MA, 02118, USA. Dawne.Vogt@va.gov.
authors.forename: Dawne
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6636-1034
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Sciences Division (116B-3), National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.|Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 725 Albany (7B), Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
authors.forename: Brian N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Sciences Division (116B-3), National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.
authors.forename: Annie B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Sciences Division (116B-3), National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Amoroso
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Sciences Division (116B-3), National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taverna
authors.affiliation: National Center for PTSD, VA Medical Center (116D), 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA.|Geisel School of Medicine Dartmouth, 1 Rope Ferry Rd, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA.
authors.forename: Paula P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Schnurr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Family; Gender; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Quality of life; Veterans; Work