Relationship Adjustment, PTSD Symptoms, and Treatment Utilization Among Coupled National Guard Soldiers Deployed to Iraq

An investigation of how posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms of National Guard Soldiers and their relationship distress predict utilization of a range of mental health services was conducted. This study used a longitudinal sample of National Guard Soldiers to survey Soldiers 2-3 months following return from deployment to Iraq and, then 12 months later. Overall findings suggest that PTSD symptom severity, but not relationship adjustment, uniquely predicted greater odds of utilizing individual-oriented mental health services.