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Correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in Marines back from war
Author(s) -
BoothKewley Stephanie,
Larson Gerald E.,
HighfillMcRoy Robyn M.,
Garland Cedric F.,
Gaskin Thomas A.
Publication year - 2010
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.20485
Subject(s) - posttraumatic stress , psychology , anxiety disorder , psychiatry , clinical psychology , anxiety
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.