An Examination of Family Adjustment Among Operation Desert Storm Veterans

Abstract

This study examined interrelationships among combat exposure, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and family adjustment in a sample of male and female Operation Desert Storm veterans (N = 1,512). In structural equation models for both male and female veterans, higher combat exposure was associated with higher PTSD symptoms, which in turn were associated with poorer family adjustment, although these indirect effects did not reach statistical significance. The model for female veterans evidenced a significant direct negative association between combat exposure and family adjustment when it statistically accounted for PTSD symptoms. When the relative impacts of separate PTSD symptom groupings were examined, those reflecting withdrawal/numbing symptoms and arousal/lack of control symptoms significantly and indirectly accounted for the negative effects of combat exposure on family adjustment.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA484772

Entities

People

  • Casey T. Taft
  • Jeremiah A. Schumm
  • Jullian Panuzio
  • Susan P. Proctor

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Behavioral Disciplines And Activities
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Equations
  • Psychology

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.