Publication year
2011
Citation Title
Posttraumatic stress, family adjustment, and treatment preferences among National Guard soldiers deployed to OEF/OIF.
Journal Name
Military Medicine
Journal Volume
176
Issue Number
2
Page Numbers
126-131
DOI
10.7205/milmed-d-10-00094
Summary
Self-reported data were used to assess posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, relationship and parenting concerns, and treatment preferences among National Guard members who were recently redeployed from Iraq or Afghanistan. Many of the Guard members screened positive for PTSD, which negatively influenced relationship satisfaction. Guard members also preferred family-based treatment to individual treatment.
Key Findings
Nearly half of the participants screened positively for PTSD (as assessed by primary health providers).
Among participants in relationships, half screened positive for PTSD. In addition, relationship satisfaction was significantly associated with PTSD symptoms: those who reported less satisfaction also reported more PTSD symptoms.
For both Service members in relationships and those who were parents, the percentage of participants willing to consider couple/family counseling was significantly greater than the percentage willing to consider individual counseling.
Implications for Program Leaders
Develop family-based interventions tailored to address post-deployment mental health and co-occurring family problems
Offer family therapy options for Service members coping with PTSD symptoms
Provide pre- and post-deployment education to Service members and their families regarding PTSD and its effects on relationships and parenting
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue to educate National Guard members and their families about the post-deployment care options available, including family/couples and individual counseling
Recommend education to family counselors regarding military related PTSD and how to work with military families
Continue to support programs that help Service members and their families coping with PTDS symptoms
Methods
Self-report questionnaires assessed PTSD symptoms, relationship concerns, and treatment preferences among National Guard members who were recently redeployed from Iraq or Afghanistan.
Participants were recruited during post-deployment Solider Readiness Programs.
No other recruitment information was provided.
Participants
The sample consisted of 97 Army National Guard members.
The sample was 93% male, with a mean age of 28.5 years (SD = 6.3).
Participants were ethnically homogeneous (90% White, 3% Latino/Latina, 3% Asian-American, 2% Black, 1% American Indian, 1% Other).
Limitations
Selected participants may differ from non-participants in a way that is not measured, but affected the outcome variables. For instance, those soldiers that participated may be functioning better than those that did not participate.
Only Army National Guard members who had been previously deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan were included in this study, limiting the generalizability of the findings to other components or branches.
Other aspects of the outcome may be missed because only one informant (i.e., the Service member) was used.
Avenues for Future Research
Explore the efficacy of family and couples counseling as a primary treatment for relationship distress, PTSD, and related post-deployment problems
Examine strategies for improving Service members knowledge about and willingness to access available services
Continue to investigate the different sources of support (e.g., life coaches, counselors, pen pals) for Service members and its influence on PTSD symptom severity
Focus
Army
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
We used an anonymous self-reported questionnaire to assess posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, relationship concerns, and treatment preferences including interest in family-focused interventions among 100 National Guard Soldiers who were recently redeployed from Iraq or Afghanistan. We found that the majority of married or partnered soldiers were concerned about getting along with their partners, while the majority of parents were concerned about their child-rearing practices. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms were significantly associated with the degree of relationship concerns. Soldiers showed a striking preference for family-based interventions over individual treatment, highlighting the importance of developing family-based interventions tailored to address post-deployment mental health and co-occurring family problems.
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