Year: 2014
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The current study examined if childhood trauma, combat-related trauma, and their interaction predict negative psychiatric outcomes, distress, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Participants include included 1,281 US military veterans from Loma Linda Veterans Affairs Hospital. Childhood trauma and combat trauma were significantly correlated with the amount of psychological symptoms and distress veterans face when returning from deployment. Multiple regression analysis showed that childhood trauma and combat trauma significantly predicted poor mental health outcomes, distress levels, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Their interaction predicted increased psychiatric symptoms in veterans such that high levels of one trauma resulted in increased symptoms no matter the level of the other trauma. All other interactions between the two variables were not significant. Childhood trauma and combat trauma significantly impact mental health outcome in the current population. Individuals who are exposed to either type of trauma are more likely to experience severe psychopathology, co-morbid diagnoses, and difficulties adjusting to life post-deployment.
Author: Alyson C. Hermé
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2550273544