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Impact of Combat Deployment on Psychological and Relationship Health: A Longitudinal Study
Author(s) -
Cigrang Jeffrey A.,
Wayne Talcott G.,
Tatum JoLyn,
Baker Monty,
Cassidy Daniel,
Sonnek Scott,
Snyder Douglas K.,
BalderramaDurbin Christina,
Heyman Richard E.,
Smith Slep Amy M.
Publication year - 2014
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.21890
Subject(s) - software deployment , military deployment , military personnel , longitudinal study , mental health , psychology , interpersonal communication , public health , cohort , service member , psychiatry , cohort study , medicine , social psychology , political science , engineering , nursing , software engineering , pathology , law
Although previous research has indicated an elevated prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems among veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom following deployment, most of this research has been cross‐sectional and has focused on a limited range of military groups and outcome criteria. This investigation was a longitudinal study of U.S. Air Force security forces assigned to a year‐long high‐threat ground mission in Iraq to determine the degree to which airmen's emotional and behavioral health and committed relationships were adversely impacted by an extended deployment to a warzone. Participants were a cohort of 164 security forces airmen tasked to a 365‐day deployment to train Iraqi police. Airmen completed study measures both prior to and 6–9 months following deployment. Rates of deterioration in individual and interpersonal adjustment were both significant and medium to large in magnitude of effect, d = 0.43 to 0.90. Results suggest that the negative effects of deployment are related to levels of traumatic experiences and do not spontaneously remit within the first 6–9 months following return from deployment—particularly among those service members having relatively lower levels of social support.