ABSTRACT
Understanding the contribution of specific combat experiences to postdeployment post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may inform preventive and therapeutic interventions. This study investigated the associations of combat experiences with PTSD among Canadian military personnel after return from deployment to Afghanistan. Most experiences had positive associations with PTSD, but shooting, calling in fire, and clearing buildings had negative associations. The items most strongly associated with PTSD were those that were uncommonly experienced, might not be expected, and involved some measure of interpretation or violation of one's morality. These are potential targets for pre- and posttrauma interventions with military personnel.