Savouring as a moderator of the combat exposure–mental health symptoms relationship

Engaging in firefights or witnessing death and other types of combat experiences are occupational hazards associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression in military personnel returning from combat deployments. The present study examined savouring beliefs as a moderator of the r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Stress and health 2018-10, Vol.34 (4), p.582-588
Main Authors: Sytine, Anton I., Britt, Thomas W., Pury, Cynthia L.S., Rosopa, Patrick J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Afghan Campaign 2001
Combat Disorders - epidemiology
Combat Disorders - psychology
combat exposure
depression
Depression - epidemiology
Depression - psychology
Emotions - physiology
Exposure
Female
Humans
Iraq War, 2003-2011
Male
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Mental health
Military
Military personnel
Military Personnel - psychology
Military Personnel - statistics & numerical data
Occupational hazards
Post traumatic stress disorder
PTSD
savouring
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology
Trauma
United States - epidemiology
Young Adult
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Summary:Engaging in firefights or witnessing death and other types of combat experiences are occupational hazards associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression in military personnel returning from combat deployments. The present study examined savouring beliefs as a moderator of the relationship between combat exposure and mental health symptoms among U.S. Army soldiers deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Soldiers (N = 885) completed measures of combat exposure, savouring beliefs, PTSD, and depression. Savouring was negatively related to symptoms of PTSD and depression and moderated the relationship between combat exposure and PTSD and depression among military personnel. These findings demonstrate that savouring positive life experiences may be beneficial to overall positive mental health and potentially buffer negative mental health symptoms related to traumatic experiences. Discussion focuses on the possibility of training individuals exposed to trauma in savouring techniques.
ISSN:1532-3005
1532-2998
DOI:10.1002/smi.2822