The Effects of Childhood and Combat-Related Trauma on Psychological Outcomes in Veterans

<p>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.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2014

Author dc:creator

• Hermé, Alyson C.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Boyd, Kendal C.
• Herbozo, Sylvia
• Krawczyk, Lois V.
• Vermeersch, David

• Clinical Psychology
• Psychology
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Stress Disorders -- Traumatic; Stress Disorders -- Post-traumatic; Veterans -- Psychology; Military Personnel
• PTSD; Post-traumatic stress disorder; combat-related trauma; Multiple regression analysis; Mental health outcomes; Psychopathology; Co-morbid diagnoses

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/378

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1378