Publication year
2010
Citation Title
PTSD symptom increases in Iraq-deployed soldiers: Comparison with nondeployed soldiers and associations with baseline symptoms, deployment experiences, and postdeployment stress.
Journal Name
Journal of Traumatic Stress
Journal Volume
23
Issue Number
1
Page Numbers
41-51
DOI
10.1002/jts.20487
Summary
The U.S. Army Active Duty and National Guard Soldiers who deployed to Iraq were compared before and after deployment to Service members who did not deploy via interview and surveys. Deployed Soldiers reported increased posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity from pre- to post-deployment compared to non-deployed Soldiers.
Key Findings
Military deployment to Iraq was associated with increases in PTSD symptoms, even after adjusting for pre-deployment PTSD levels. In contrast, non-deployed Soldiers did not show increases in these symptoms.
Among deployed Soldiers, those activated from the National Guard showed greater increases in PTSD symptoms pre- to postdeployment compared to Active Duty Soldiers. However, the National Guard personnel did not show higher severity or rates of PTSD post-deployment compared to Active Duty Soldiers.
High levels of combat were more detrimental to mental health among Soldiers who reported more severe PTSD symptoms at pre-deployment.
Higher levels of stress during deployment corresponded to greater PTSD symptom increases post-deployment.
Implications for Program Leaders
Provide education about PTSD symptoms and the services available to all Soldiers who have experienced combat deployments, but especially to those who experienced high levels of combat and other stressors during deployment
Offer classes regarding wellness and risk factors for concerns, thereby promoting early detection of difficulties following deployment
Host workshops during reintegration to help families and Service members adjust to the Service member’s return, especially when the deployment has included combat exposure
Implications for Policy Makers
Recommend provision of a range of evidence-based mental health services for Service members after deployment, with special programming for those dealing with PTSD
Continue to support programs that address the unique challenges faced by deployed Service members and their spouses
Encourage collaboration among DoD programs and community-based organizations to support a smooth transition during reintegration for Service members and their families
Methods
Deploying and non-deploying units were selected to represent a variety of location assignments; unit leaders randomly referred potential participants.
Ninety-four percent of invited Soldiers (N = 1,633) participated at Time 1 (pre-deployment), 73% of Time 1 participants participated at Time 2 (post-deployment if applicable); Soldiers completed onsite interviews and questionnaires.
Statistical analyses examined differences between deployers and non-deployers, and associations between pre-deployment PTSD, stress exposure and longitudinal change in PTSD.
Participants
One thousand five hundred forty-two U.S. Army Active Duty and activated National Guard Soldiers serving from April 2003-September 2006 completed the pre-deployment assessment; 1,083 completed the Time 2 assessment. Of the Time 2 participants, 72% deployed (87% Active Duty).
Among the deployed Soldiers, the average age was 25.7 years (SD = 5.9), 61% were White, 93% were male, 47% were married, and the average years of education was 12.5 years. The average years in Army was 4.6 years, 72% were junior enlisted, with 11% having a previous deployment.
Among the non-deployed Soldiers, the average age was 24.9 (SD = 5.1), 65% were White, 90% were male, 48% were married, and the average years of education was 12.5 years. The average years in Army was 3.9 years, most participants were junior enlisted (75%), with 13% having a previous deployment.
Limitations
PTSD was assessed and examined using a self-report screening instrument which may have increased social desirability bias.
Additional mental health concerns beyond PTSD were not assessed, which may have affected the findings.
The sample consisted only of Active Duty and National Guard Army personnel and may not generalize to all branches of the military.
Avenues for Future Research
Replicate this study using clinical interviews and additional mental health assessments to augment these findings
Examine if there are cultural variables that impact the development and expression of PTSD symptoms
Compare and contrast the effectiveness of different interventions for PTSD among Service members
Focus
Army
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
This prospective study examined: (a) the effects of Iraq War deployment versus non-deployment on pre- to postdeployment change in PTSD symptoms and (b) among deployed soldiers, associations of deployment/postdeployment stress exposures and baseline PTSD symptoms with PTSD symptom change. Seven hundred seventy-four U.S. Army soldiers completed self-report measures of stress exposure and PTSD symptom severity before and after Iraq deployment and were compared with 309 soldiers who did not deploy. Deployed soldiers, compared with non-deployed soldiers, reported increased PTSD symptom severity from Time 1 to Time 2. After controlling for baseline symptoms, deployment-related stressors contributed to longitudinal increases in PTSD symptoms. Combat severity was more strongly associated with symptom increases among active duty soldiers with higher baseline PTSD symptoms.
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