Modeling the Relationships Between Combat Experiences and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Factors

Abstract

Evidence suggests specific types of combat can influence different posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom presentations. This study applied structural equation modeling to extend this line of research in a cross-sectional sample of 2,159 U.S. Navy Sailors deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan between 2007 and 2008. Generally, support was for a model which specified direct relationships between the latent factors of combat experience and PTSD (χ²(881) = 4,015.82, p < .001, CFI = .956, TLI = .953, RMSEA = .040, 90%CI = .038, .041). Specifically, exposure to a combat environment predicted only the reeexperiencing and hyperarousal dimensions of PTSD, close physical engagement predicted all but the hyperarousal dimension, and nearness to serious injury or death predicted only reeexperiencing. While exploratory in nature, these findings support the hypothesis that an individual’s unique combat experience may also produce unique expressions of PTSD symptoms, implying that PTSD prevention, diagnosis, and treatment may need to be tailored to specific types of trauma and combat experiences.

Keywords:

• Combat experience
• posttraumatic stress disorder
• structural equation modeling