PURPOSE: To evaluate potentially modifiable deployment characteristics-- predeployment preparedness, unit support during deployment, and postdeployment support-that may be associated with deployment-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: We recruited a sample of 2616 Ohio Army National Guard (OHARNG) soldiers and conducted structured interviews to assess traumatic event exposure and PTSD related to the soldiers' most recent deployment, consistent with DSM-IV criteria. We assessed preparedness, unit support, and postdeployment support by using multimeasure scales adapted from the Deployment Risk and Resilience Survey. RESULTS: The prevalence of deployment-related PTSD was 9.6%. In adjusted logistic models, high levels of all three deployment characteristics (compared with low) were independently associated with lower odds of PTSD. When we evaluated the influence of combinations of deployment characteristics on the development of PTSD, we found that postdeployment support was an essential factor in the prevention of PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that factors throughout the life course of deployment-in particular, postdeployment support-may influence the development of PTSD. These results suggest that the development of suitable postdeployment support opportunities may be centrally important in mitigating the psychological consequences of war.
PURPOSE: To evaluate potentially modifiable deployment characteristics-- predeployment preparedness, unit support during deployment, and postdeployment support-that may be associated with deployment-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: We recruited a sample of 2616 Ohio Army National Guard (OHARNG) soldiers and conducted structured interviews to assess traumatic event exposure and PTSD related to the soldiers' most recent deployment, consistent with DSM-IV criteria. We assessed preparedness, unit support, and postdeployment support by using multimeasure scales adapted from the Deployment Risk and Resilience Survey. RESULTS: The prevalence of deployment-related PTSD was 9.6%. In adjusted logistic models, high levels of all three deployment characteristics (compared with low) were independently associated with lower odds of PTSD. When we evaluated the influence of combinations of deployment characteristics on the development of PTSD, we found that postdeployment support was an essential factor in the prevention of PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that factors throughout the life course of deployment-in particular, postdeployment support-may influence the development of PTSD. These results suggest that the development of suitable postdeployment support opportunities may be centrally important in mitigating the psychological consequences of war.
Authors: Marta R Prescott; Marijo Tamburrino; Joseph R Calabrese; Israel Liberzon; Renee Slembarski; Edwin Shirley; Thomas Fine; Toyomi Goto; Kimberly Wilson; Stephen Ganocy; Philip Chan; Alphonse Derus; Mary Beth Serrano; James Sizemore; Jeremy Kauffman; Sandro Galea Journal: Int J Methods Psychiatr Res Date: 2014-03 Impact factor: 4.035
Authors: Kate Walsh; Sandro Galea; Magdalena Cerda; Catherine Richards; Israel Liberzon; Marijo B Tamburrino; Joseph Calabrese; Karestan C Koenen Journal: Womens Health Issues Date: 2014-10-28
Authors: Erin M Anderson Goodell; Renee M Johnson; Carl A Latkin; D Lynn Homish; Gregory G Homish Journal: Addict Behav Date: 2019-11-30 Impact factor: 3.913
Authors: Karmel W Choi; Chia-Yen Chen; Robert J Ursano; Xiaoying Sun; Sonia Jain; Ronald C Kessler; Karestan C Koenen; Min-Jung Wang; Gary H Wynn; Laura Campbell-Sills; Murray B Stein; Jordan W Smoller Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2019-04-15 Impact factor: 7.723