The relationship between postdeployment factors and PTSD severity in recent combat veterans
Abstract
Combat traumas precipitate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, nontraumatic deployment and postdeployment factors may also contribute to PTSD severity. The Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory (DRRI) was used to investigate pre-, peri-, and postdeployment factors associated with current PTSD severity in 150 recent combat veterans with PTSD and hazardous alcohol use. Hierarchal linear regression analyzed what factors independently predicted PTSD severity when controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and combat specific variables. Four postdeployment factors independently predicted PTSD severity: unemployment, alcohol use, social support, and stressful (nontraumatic) life events. The centrality of trauma in the maintenance of PTSD and clinical implications for treatment providers are discussed. © 2014 American Psychological Association.
Publication Title
Military Psychology
Recommended Citation
Possemato, K., McKenzie, S., McDevitt-Murphy, M., Williams, J., & Ouimette, P. (2014). The relationship between postdeployment factors and PTSD severity in recent combat veterans. Military Psychology, 26 (1), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.1037/mil0000027
