Resilience and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in National Guard Soldiers Deployed to Iraq: A Prospective Study of Latent Class Trajectories and Their Predictors

• Published in: Journal of traumatic stress 2017-08, Vol.30 (4), p.351-361
• Main Authors: Polusny, Melissa A., Erbes, Christopher R., Kramer, Mark D., Thuras, Paul, DeGarmo, Dave, Koffel, Erin, Litz, Brett, Arbisi, Paul A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Depression - psychology; Emotions; Female; Humans; Iraq War, 2003-2011; Latent class analysis; Male; Middle Aged; Military deployment; Military Personnel - psychology; Military reserves; Military training; Neuroticism; Post traumatic stress disorder; Prospective Studies; Protective Factors; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Resilience, Psychological; Risk Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology; Studies; Symptom Assessment; United States; War Exposure; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0894-9867; 1573-6598; 1573-6598
• DOI: 10.1002/jts.22199

This study examined the prospective course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a cohort of National Guard soldiers (N = 522) deployed to combat operations in Iraq. Participants were assessed 4 times: 1 month before deployment, 2–3 months after returning from deployment, 1 year later, and 2 years postdeployment. Growth mixture modeling revealed 3 distinct trajectories: low‐stable symptoms, resilient, 76.4%; new‐onset symptoms, 14.2%; and chronic distress, 9.4%. Relative to the resilient class, membership in both the new‐onset symptoms and chronic distress trajectory classes was predicted by negative emotionality/neuroticism, odds ratios (ORs) = 1.09, 95% CI [1.02, 1.17], and OR = 1.22, 95% CI [1.09,1.35], respectively; and combat exposure, OR = 1.07, 95% CI [1.02, 1.12], and OR = 1.12, 95% CI [1.02, 1.24], respectively. Membership in the new‐onset trajectory class was predicted by predeployment military preparedness, OR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.91, 0.98], perceived threat during deployment, OR = 1.07, 95% CI [1.03, 1.10], and stressful life events following deployment, OR = 1.44, 95% CI [1.05, 1.96]. Prior deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan, OR = 3.85, 95% CI [1.72, 8.69], predeployment depression, OR = 1.27, 95% CI [1.20, 1.36], and predeployment concerns about a deployment's impact on civilian/family life, OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.02, 1.16], distinguished the chronic distress group relative to the resilient group. Identifying predeployment vulnerability and postdeployment contextual factors provides insight for future efforts to bolster resilience, prevent, and treat posttraumatic symptoms. Resumen Spanish s by the Asociación Chilena de Estrés Traumático (ACET) Este estudio examinó el curso prospectivo de los síntomas del trastorno por estrés postraumático (TEPT) en una cohorte de Soldados de la Guardia Nacional (N = 522) desplegados para operaciones de combate en Iraq. Los participantes fueron evaluados cuatro veces: un mes antes del despliegue, 2 a 3 meses después del retorno tras el despliegue, 1 año y 2 años después del despliegue. El modelo de crecimiento de mezcla reveló tres trayectorias distintas: síntomas bajos y estables, resiliente, 76,4%; síntomas de inicio nuevo, 14,2%; y estrés crónico, 9,4%. Relativo a la clase resiliente, la pertenencia tanto a las clases de los síntomas de inicio nuevo, y la trayectorias de estrés crónico fue predicha por emocionalidad negativa/neuroticismo, razón de probabilidades (OR) = 1,09, 95% CI [1,02, 1,17] y O