Predictors of posttraumatic stress and appetitive aggression in active soldiers and former combatants

Abstract

Background

During the period between 1993 and 2005, the people of Burundi were trapped within a violent civil war. In post-conflict regions, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were found to be widespread. At the same time, combatants often reported having perceived committing violence as exciting and appealing, an experience referred to as appetitive aggression. Both of these phenomena hamper the building of a functional and peaceful society.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the factors that are associated with the level of PTSD and appetitive aggression in former and still active combatants.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 948 male Burundians: 556 active soldiers and 392 ex-combatants. PTSD symptom severity was assessed using the PTSD Symptom Scale Interview, while appetitive aggression was assessed using the Appetitive Aggression Scale.

Results

Linear regression analyses revealed that the number of traumatic events, childhood maltreatment, and their interaction predicted PTSD symptom severity, whereas self-committed violence did not. The number of traumatic events and self-committed violence were associated with appetitive aggression. Childhood maltreatment alone was not associated with appetitive aggression; however, its interaction with self-committed violence did predict appetitive aggression. When controlling for predictors, ex-combatants reported a higher degree of PTSD symptomatology, whereas active soldiers reported a higher degree of appetitive aggression.

Conclusion

We conclude that childhood maltreatment is an additional, significant risk factor that exacerbates the psychological consequences of violent conflicts. Self-committed violence may not necessarily engender trauma-related disorders, but is highly related to appetitive aggression.

• PTSD
• trauma
• aggression
• childhood maltreatment
• combatants
• violence
• Burundi
• risk factors

For the abstract or full text in other languages, please see Supplementary files under ‘Article Tools’

For the abstract or full text in other languages, please see Supplementary files under ‘Article Tools’

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (ex-combatants) and the VolkswagenStiftung (ex-combatants, soldiers). We sincerely thank our Burundian cooperation partners, the University Lumière and the National Defense Force (FDN) for their excellent research cooperation and for providing us with the opportunity to realize this study. We are extremely grateful to Eric Rumbete, Egide Tuyizere, Jean Kanyarushatsi, Egide Niyongabo, Anitha Ziser, Eliphaz Ndayishimiye, Hervé Mugisha, Thierry Ndayikengurukiye, Gynelle Mugisha, Nicolas Niyonizigiye, Landry-Robert Ndaboroheye, Jean-Baptiste Niyongeko, Séleus Mudugitse, Egide Rushanuka, Jean-Daniel Ndabereye Mpundu, Détise Arakaza, Thierry Vuganeza, James Moran, Danie Meyer-Parlapanis, and Simon Fetz for their tireless commitment as interviewers, interpreters, and translators. In addition, we thank Justin Preston for reviewing the paper. Our profound gratitude goes to the Institute of Databases and Information Systems of the University Ulm (Manfred Reichert and staff) for enabling electronic data collection. Special thanks go to all the participants.

Notes

For the abstract or full text in other languages, please see Supplementary files under ‘Article Tools’