PURPOSE: Military personnel exposed to combat are at risk for experiencing post-traumatic distress that can progress over time following deployment. We hypothesized that progression of post-traumatic distress may be related to enhanced susceptibility to post-deployment stressors. This study aimed at examining the concept of stress sensitization prospectively in a sample of Dutch military personnel deployed in support of the conflicts in Afghanistan. METHOD: In a cohort of soldiers (N = 814), symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were assessed before deployment as well as 2, 7, 14, and 26 months (N = 433; 53 %) after their return. Data were analyzed using latent growth modeling. Using multiple group analysis, we examined whether high combat stress exposure during deployment moderated the relation between post-deployment stressors and linear change in post-traumatic distress after deployment. RESULTS: A higher baseline level of post-traumatic distress was associated with more early life stressors (standardized regression coefficient = 0.30, p < 0.001). In addition, a stronger increase in posttraumatic distress during deployment was associated with more deployment stressors (standardized coefficient = 0.21, p < 0.001). A steeper linear increase in posttraumatic distress post-deployment (from 2 to 26 months) was predicted by more post-deployment stressors (standardized coefficient = 0.29, p < 0.001) in high combat stress exposed soldiers, but not in a less combat stress exposed group. The group difference in the predictive effect of post-deployment stressors on progression of post-traumatic distress was significant (χ²(1) = 7.85, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Progression of post-traumatic distress following combat exposure may be related to sensitization to the effects of post-deployment stressors during the first year following return from deployment.
PURPOSE: Military personnel exposed to combat are at risk for experiencing post-traumatic distress that can progress over time following deployment. We hypothesized that progression of post-traumatic distress may be related to enhanced susceptibility to post-deployment stressors. This study aimed at examining the concept of stress sensitization prospectively in a sample of Dutch military personnel deployed in support of the conflicts in Afghanistan. METHOD: In a cohort of soldiers (N = 814), symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were assessed before deployment as well as 2, 7, 14, and 26 months (N = 433; 53 %) after their return. Data were analyzed using latent growth modeling. Using multiple group analysis, we examined whether high combat stress exposure during deployment moderated the relation between post-deployment stressors and linear change in post-traumatic distress after deployment. RESULTS: A higher baseline level of post-traumatic distress was associated with more early life stressors (standardized regression coefficient = 0.30, p < 0.001). In addition, a stronger increase in posttraumatic distress during deployment was associated with more deployment stressors (standardized coefficient = 0.21, p < 0.001). A steeper linear increase in posttraumatic distress post-deployment (from 2 to 26 months) was predicted by more post-deployment stressors (standardized coefficient = 0.29, p < 0.001) in high combat stress exposed soldiers, but not in a less combat stress exposed group. The group difference in the predictive effect of post-deployment stressors on progression of post-traumatic distress was significant (χ²(1) = 7.85, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Progression of post-traumatic distress following combat exposure may be related to sensitization to the effects of post-deployment stressors during the first year following return from deployment.
Authors: Iris M Engelhard; Marcel A van den Hout; Jos Weerts; Arnoud Arntz; Joop J C M Hox; Richard J McNally Journal: Br J Psychiatry Date: 2007-08 Impact factor: 9.319
Authors: Kate Walsh; Carla Kmett Danielson; Jenna L McCauley; Benjamin E Saunders; Dean G Kilpatrick; Heidi S Resnick Journal: Arch Gen Psychiatry Date: 2012-09
Authors: Laura Campbell-Sills; Jason D Kautz; Karmel W Choi; James A Naifeh; Pablo A Aliaga; Sonia Jain; Xiaoying Sun; Ronald C Kessler; Murray B Stein; Robert J Ursano; Paul D Bliese Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2021-11-22 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: Annemiek de Heus; Sophie M C Hengst; Simone M de la Rie; A A A Manik J Djelantik; Paul A Boelen; Geert E Smid Journal: Eur J Psychotraumatol Date: 2017-09-04
Authors: Eric Vermetten; Neil Greenberg; Manon A Boeschoten; Roos Delahaije; Rakesh Jetly; Carl A Castro; Alexander C McFarlane Journal: Eur J Psychotraumatol Date: 2014-08-14