Gender Differences in the Effects of Deployment-Related Stressors and Pre-Deployment Risk Factors on the Development of PTSD Symptoms in National Guard Soldiers Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan

U.S. National Guard Soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan completed measures of potential risk/protective factors and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms one month before and 2-3 months after deployment. Researchers assessed the influence of combat-related stressors and pre-deployment risk and protective factors on risk of developing PTSD symptoms following deployment by gender. Women reported more severe PTSD symptoms and higher rates of probable PTSD compared to men.