Comparison of latent typologies of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms across military personnel from India and the US

Understanding the role of spirituality as a potential coping mechanism for military personnel is important given growing concern about the mental health issues of personnel returning from war. This study seeks to determine the extent to which spirituality is associated with selected mental health problems among active duty military personnel and whether it moderates the relationship between combat exposure/deployment and (a) depression, (b) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and (c) suicidality in active duty military personnel. Data were drawn from the 2008 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel. Over 24,000 randomly selected active duty personnel worldwide completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire. High spirituality had a significant protective effect only for depression symptoms. Medium, as opposed to high or low, levels of spirituality buffered each of the mental health outcomes to some degree. Medium and low spirituality levels predicted depression symptoms but only among those with moderate combat exposure. Medium spirituality levels also predicted PTSD symptoms among those with moderate levels of combat exposure and predicted self-reported suicidal ideation/attempt among those never deployed. These results point to the complex relationship between spirituality and mental health, particularly among military personnel and the need for further research.

Download Full-text

Age moderates the relationship between source of social support and mental health in racial minority lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105316686667 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (7) ◽

pp. 888-897

Author(s):

Anna E Wise ◽

Brian C Smith ◽

Aaron P Armelie ◽

Jessica M Boarts ◽

Douglas L Delahanty

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Racial Minority ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

And Bisexual ◽

The Relationship

We examined the relationship between source of social support and mental health (and the moderating impact of age) in 64 low socioeconomic status, racial minority lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents/young adults. Social support from family ( β = −.302, p = .03; β = −.364, p = .008), but not friends or significant others, was independently related to posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms, respectively. Family social support was associated with lower posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms in participants aged 16–19 years, while friend social support was associated with lower symptoms for participants aged over 20 years. Friend social support was also associated with lower posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in participants aged 16–17 years. Interventions should target age-appropriate sources of social support.

Download Full-text

Typologies of Combat Exposure and Their Effects on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Symptoms

Journal of Traumatic Stress ◽

10.1002/jts.22459 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 946-956

Author(s):

Marija Spanovic Kelber ◽

Derek J. Smolenski ◽

Don E. Workman ◽

Maria A. Morgan ◽

Abigail L. Garvey Wilson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Combat Exposure ◽

Depression Symptoms

Download Full-text

Predicting persistent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in UK military personnel who served in Iraq: A longitudinal study

Journal of Psychiatric Research ◽

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.05.009 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 46 (9) ◽

pp. 1191-1198 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Roberto J. Rona ◽

Margaret Jones ◽

Josefin Sundin ◽

Laura Goodwin ◽

Lisa Hull ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Military Personnel ◽

Stress Disorder

Download Full-text

Borrowing Benefits: Group Treatment With Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques Is Associated With Simultaneous Reductions in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms

Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine ◽

10.1177/2156587218756510 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 ◽

pp. 215658721875651 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dawson Church ◽

Dennis House

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Group Treatment ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Positive Symptom ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Symptom Index ◽

Emotional Freedom Techniques ◽

The Relationship

Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is an evidence-based treatment for depression and anxiety. The current study sought to elucidate the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety in a nonclinical population. The sample (N = 81) comprised participants at five 2-day EFT workshops. All groups used an EFT protocol called Borrowing Benefits, in which the group facilitator works with a single client while other participants self-apply EFT. Participants were assessed on 9 specific conditions as well as on the breadth (Positive Symptom Total [PST]) and depth (General Symptom Index [GSI]) of psychological distress. Physical pain and addictive cravings were also assessed. Significant reductions were observed in all measures (P < .03). Associations between PST, GSI, and PTSD were significant (P < .026). Participants maintained all gains at 6-month follow-up (P < .02) with the exception of the Hostility subscale, while Cohen’s d = 0.54 indicated a moderate treatment effect for PTSD. The relationship between psychological and physiological conditions identified in this study is consistent with that found in other studies. Group treatment is cost-effective and efficient, and the efficacy of EFT in groups indicates the utility of the Borrowing Benefits technique.

Download Full-text

Effectiveness of Cognitive Processing Therapy for Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Journal of Mental Health Counseling ◽

10.17744/mehc.36.4.1360805271967kvq ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 360-376 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Stephen Lenz ◽

Brian Bruijn ◽

Nina Serman ◽

Laura Bailey

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Cognitive Processing ◽

Alternative Treatment ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Cognitive Processing Therapy ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Alternative Treatments ◽

Treatment Comparisons

Analyzing 11 studies, we evaluated the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and co-occurring depression symptoms in individuals diagnosed with PTSD. Separate meta-analytic procedures for between-group studies using waitlist or alternative treatment comparisons yielded large to very large effect sizes for CPT versus waitlist, and medium to large effect sizes when CPT was compared to alternative treatments. Implications for evidence-supported practice and study limitations are discussed.

Download Full-text

Increased risk of attempted suicide in Australian veterans is associated with total and permanent incapacitation, unemployment and posttraumatic stress disorder severity

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0004867417718945 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (6) ◽

pp. 552-560 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katelyn Kerr ◽

Madeline Romaniuk ◽

Sarah McLeay ◽

Andrew Khoo ◽

Michael T Dent ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Suicide Attempt ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Self Report ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of

Background: Military veterans have higher rates of suicidality and completed suicides compared to the general population. Previous research has demonstrated suicidal behaviour is higher in US combat veterans who are younger, suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety and score lower on measures of health. However, research on predictors of suicide for Australian veterans is limited. The aim of this study was to identify significant demographic and psychological differences between veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder who had attempted suicide and those with posttraumatic stress disorder who had not, as well as determine predictors of suicide attempts within an Australian cohort. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 229 ex-service personnel diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder who had attended a Military Service Trauma Recovery Day Program as outpatients at Toowong Private Hospital from 2007 to 2014. Patients completed a battery of mental health self-report questionnaires assessing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol use, anger, depression, anxiety and quality of life. Demographic information and self-reported history of suicide attempts were also recorded. Results: Results indicated the average age was significantly lower, and the rates of posttraumatic stress disorder, anger, anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly higher in those veterans with history of a suicide attempt. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity, unemployment or total and permanent incapacity pension status significantly predicted suicide attempt history. Conclusion: Among a cohort of Australian veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, psychopathology severity, unemployment and total and permanent incapacity status are significantly associated with suicidality. This study highlights the importance of early identification of posttraumatic stress disorder and psychopathology, therapeutic and social engagement, and prioritisation of tangible employment options or meaningful and goal-directed activities for veterans deemed unable to work.

Download Full-text