Deployment, PTSD Symptoms, and Co-morbid Mental Health Conditions in the Active Force and Reserve Components
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with comorbidity of many somatic and mental disorders. Such psychiatric comorbidity poses increased treatment challenges for a military population that already tends to underutilize treatment services. Further, the prevalence and pattern of these comorbidities within the total force are unknown. Although some of these comorbidities may be associated with combat-related traumas, others may be more associated with separate noncombat risk and protective factors such as childhood trauma, cognitive abilities, sociodemographic factors, or genetic factors. Because different patterns may represent different underlying etiologies, optimal intervention and treatment efforts need to take them into account. These efforts require two concurrent lines of investigation: (a) identification of multiple patterns of disorders, and (b) examination of risk and protective factors for each disorder pattern. This study is the first to examine both critical lines of investigation in the total force. To conduct this unique investigation, we conducted in-depth secondary analyses of two comprehensive parallel datasets that together provide key information on PTSD symptoms and other risk behaviors for the total force, both active duty and reserve components. Findings from the analyses were presented at professional association meetings, in annual reports, in briefings to military leadership, and in several peer-reviewed papers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA569142
Entities
People
- Alyssa Mansfield
- Caroline Reyes
- Janice Brown
- Laurel L Hourani
- Marion Lane
- Robert Bray
Organizations
- RTI International