Journal
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
Volume 126, Issue 1-2, Pages 230-235Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2010.03.021
Keywords
Posttraumatic stress disorder; Trauma; Posttraumatic growth; Veterans; Social support; Psychosocial; Resilience
Categories
Funding
- State of Connecticut
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
- National Center for PTSD
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Objective: A growing body of research has examined the prevalence and correlates of psychopathology, mild traumatic brain injury, and related problems in Veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF-OIF). While these studies help characterize the deleterious effects of combat, no known study has examined factors that may enhance posttraumatic growth or positive changes experienced as a result of combat in this population. Method: A total of 272 predominantly older Reservist/National Guard OEF-OIF Veterans completed an anonymous mail survey that assessed combat exposure, psychopathology, psychosocial functioning, social support, and posttraumatic growth. Results: Seventy-two percent of the sample endorsed a significant degree of posttraumatic growth in at least one of the areas assessed, the most common of which were changing priorities about what is important in life (52.2%), being able to better appreciate each day (51.1%), and being better able to handle difficulties (48.5%). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that younger age, greater posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and increased perceptions of unit member support and effort/perseverance were significantly associated with posttraumatic growth. Respondents with PTSD scored higher on an overall measure of posttraumatic growth and on items reflecting appreciation of life and personal strength. Limitations: This study is limited by a relatively low survey return rate and employment of an abbreviated measure of posttraumatic growth. Conclusions: Results of this study suggest that interventions to bolster unit member support and to enhance perceptions of effort and perseverance may help promote posttraumatic growth in OEF-OIF Veterans. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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