Patterns of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Substance Abuse, and Depression Among Deploying U.S. Marines

Abstract

This study explored adjustment among combat veterans in relation to the deployment cycle. In particular, it evaluated potential linear and nonlinear patterns in symptom levels in relation to both time since return home and time prior to future departure, and assessed the homogeneity of patterns of change over time across different outcomes. Personnel from U.S. Marine Corps units at three installations in Southern California completed an anonymous survey assessing a range of mental, behavioral, and physical health outcomes. Participants also were asked about their place within the deployment cycle. Results yielded scant evidence for nonlinear patterns of symptom development following deployment. Overall, time until next deployment was a stronger predictor of outcomes than was length of time since last deployment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 2010
Accession Number
ADA562064

Entities

People

  • Cynthia J Thomsen
  • Valerie A. Stander

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afghanistan Conflict
  • Combat Injuries
  • Data Analysis
  • Deployment
  • Health Services
  • Information Science
  • Iraqi-War
  • Marine Corps
  • Medical Personnel
  • Mental Disorders
  • Military Medicine
  • Military Personnel
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychology
  • Regression Analysis
  • Surveys
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Organizational Psychology.
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.