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. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Authors: Monica Leppma; Anna Mnatsakanova; Khachatur Sarkisian; Olivia Scott; Leonie Adjeroh; Michael E Andrew; John M Violanti; Erin C McCanlies Journal: Stress Health Date: 2017-07-13 Impact factor: 3.519
Authors: Dinu-Stefan Teodorescu; Johan Siqveland; Trond Heir; Edvard Hauff; Tore Wentzel-Larsen; Lars Lien Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2012-07-23 Impact factor: 3.186
Authors: Jan Peter Spies; Jan Christopher Cwik; Gert Dieter Willmund; Christine Knaevelsrud; Sarah Schumacher; Helen Niemeyer; Sinha Engel; Annika Küster; Beate Muschalla; Kai Köhler; Deborah Weiss; Heinrich Rau Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2020-09-15 Impact factor: 4.157