The evolution of PTSD symptoms in serving and ex-serving personnel of the UK armed forces from 2004 to 16: A longitudinal examination.
Armed forces
Cohort study
Latent class
Longitudinal data
Military
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Trajectories
Journal
Journal of psychiatric research
ISSN: 1879-1379
Titre abrégé: J Psychiatr Res
Pays: England
ID NLM: 0376331
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 2023
01 2023
Historique:
received:
13
07
2022
revised:
04
11
2022
accepted:
12
11
2022
pubmed:
28
11
2022
medline:
7
2
2023
entrez:
27
11
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Whilst most military personnel do not develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), ex-serving personnel exhibit higher levels compared to those in the military. The heterogeneity of symptom development for serving and ex-serving personnel has not yet been compared in the UK Armed Forces (UK AF). Latent class growth modelling was employed to estimate the trajectories of PTSD symptoms from three waves of data from the PTSD Checklist (PCL-C) from a UK AF sample (N = 7357). Regression mixture models were conducted to investigate covariates of class membership. Five trajectory classes were identified. Most of the sample reported no-low symptoms (71.3%). Of those reporting probable PTSD during the 12 year-period, 4.6% showed improvements, 4.9% worsened, and 1.8% displayed chronic symptoms. A class with subthreshold elevated symptoms (17.3%) was also identified. Trajectories of serving and ex-serving personnel were not substantially different, but more ex-serving personnel were symptomatic and those with chronic symptoms worsened over time. Chronic disorder was associated with lower rank, experiencing violent combat, and proximity to wounding/death on deployment. Worsening symptoms were associated with childhood stress/violence, lower rank, not being in a relationship, inconsistent post-deployment social support, proximity to wounding/death, and voluntary, or medical discharge. The present study found most UKAF personnel did not report PTSD symptoms between 2004 and 16 but, among those experiencing probable PTSD, more participants reported deteriorating/persistent symptoms than who improved. PTSD-onset was related to adversities across childhood and deployment, and lack of social support. Findings underscore the importance of addressing the through-life contributors of PTSD in order to prevent ingrained disorder.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36436424
pii: S0022-3956(22)00631-8
doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.11.007
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
18-25Subventions
Organisme : Department of Health
ID : NIHR300592
Pays : United Kingdom
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.