Delayed PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): Incidence, Course and Correlates - a Longitudinal Study of Family Impact Mediation, Stressful Life Events, Social Resources and Coping Style.
Abstract
Delayed onset PTSD (DPTSD), an inevitable consequence of wars, has been the focus of numerous clinical reports. Systematic investigations of DPTSD are practically nonexistent, however. Utilizing a unique psychiatric register developed by the IDF in the Lebanon war, this study assessed the course and correlates of DPTSD. Specifically, the implication of battle related variables (e.g., social support, perceived stress), stressful life events after the war, and social and personal resources in the genesis of DPTSD were assessed. The sample consisted of the three groups: (1) delayed PTSD casualties; (2) chronic PTSD casualties; and (3) soldiers who emerged from the 1982 war without any diagnosable psychiatric disorder (controls). Results showed significant group differences. Delayed PTSD cases exhibited significantly more disorder and distress than control subjects. However, their distress was still less severe than that revealed among chronic cases. With regard to battle-related variables, we found that delayed PTSD subjects did not differ in perceived stress during battle from chronic PTSD subjects. However, both delayed and chronic PTSD subjects reported having experienced more threatening situations during battle than control subjects. In use of personal resources to mitigate stress, delayed PTSD subjects were more similar to controls than to chronic PTSD subjects. Keywords: Family members, Social resources, Coping style. (sdw)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 30, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA198735
Entities
People
- Zahava Solomon