Citation
Wang, Lin & Elder Jr, Glen H. (2010). PTSD and its proxies in veterans' lives: Insights from Add Health Wave IV. 2010 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD.Abstract
In the study of war-related psychological trauma, a diagnosis-based measure is likely to underestimate the number of military personnel who suffer from post-traumatic stress symptoms, owing to the stigma of mental disorder. We propose the use of additional measures such as depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleep disorders – proxies of post-traumatic stress symptoms as suggested by previous studies – to broaden the understanding of psychological wounds caused by exposure to combat. Similar to previous findings, our preliminary analysis has shown that greater combat exposure, such as more time spent in a combat zone and engaging the enemy in a firefight, being wounded/injured, and exposure to death, are associated with an increased risk of being diagnosed with PTSD. A college education, enlisted high school friends, and a stable romantic relationship lower the risk of this diagnosis. These factors will be used to predict depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleep disorders to determine their suitability as supplement for PTSD diagnosis.URL
https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/news/FINAL%202010%20Add%20Health%20Users%20Conference%20Abstracts.pdfNotes
(Victor)Reference Type
Conference proceedingBook Title
2010 Add Health Users ConferenceAuthor(s)
Wang, LinElder Jr, Glen H.