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A2 diagnostic criterion for combat‐related posttraumatic stress disorder
Author(s) -
Adler Amy B.,
Wright Kathleen M.,
Bliese Paul D.,
Eckford Rachel,
Hoge Charles W.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20336
Subject(s) - learned helplessness , anger , posttraumatic stress , psychology , clinical psychology , checklist , anxiety disorder , psychiatry , anxiety , cognitive psychology
Abstract Individuals trained to respond to a potentially traumatic event may not experience the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) A2 diagnostic criterion of fear, helplessness, or horror and yet may still report significant PTSD symptoms. The present study included interviews with 202 soldiers returning from a year in Iraq. Although reporting an A2 response was associated with higher PTSD Checklist scores, there were no significant differences in the percentage of subjects who met cutoff criteria for PTSD. The most common alternative A2 responses were related to military training and anger. The A2 criterion for PTSD should be expanded so as not to underestimate the number of individuals trained for high‐risk occupations who might benefit from treatment.