Dissertations / Theses: 'Delayed ptsd in combat veterans'

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Martin, Meaghan L. "Effects of Life Events on the Onset of Delayed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Aging Combat Veterans." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2014. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/39.

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This research examined life events that affect the onset of delayed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in aging combat veterans. A common result from experiencing combat trauma is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. There is a rapidly growing veteran population experiencing delayed onset Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The occurrence of additional life stressors may increase the likelihood that someone will develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in response to a prior traumatic event. Participants of the study were combat veterans over the age of 65. Qualitative data were gathered from interviewing participants on life events they have experienced since combat exposure as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms. Findings suggested that life events contribute to the delayed onset of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in aging combat veterans. Understanding the development and causes of delayed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder will help social work practice develop and move forward with programs to improve the quality of life for aging veterans.

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Castro-Chapman, Paula. "Reactivity and Recovery Among OIF/OEF/OND Combat Veterans: Do Those with Subthreshold PTSD Differ From Veterans with and without PTSD?" Scholar Commons, 2016. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6476.

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This study expanded the current literature by assessing PTSD in relation to reactivity and recovery from negative emotional arousal among OEF/OIF/OND Veterans. Cardiac impedance was employed during a speech task and a trauma imagery procedure. Those in the PTSD-S group displayed lower SBP and higher TPR reactivity relative to the PTSD- and PTSD+ groups; lower CO reactivity relative to the PTSD+ group; and more CO recovery than those in the PTSD+ group to the trauma task. For speech task, Veterans in the PTSD-S group exhibited lower HR reactivity for both speech preparation and delivery than those in the PTSD- group. Depression was not a significant mediator in the relation between PTSD and reactivity. However, further analyses revealed that it served as a moderator between PTSD and reactivity during speech preparation (SBP, HR, and PEP reactivity), and speech delivery (HR, PEP, and CO reactivity). Simple slopes analysis revealed that depression was positively associated with HR and SBP (speech preparation) and HR (speech delivery) for those in the PTSD-S group. For those in the PTSD- group, depression was positively associated with PEP during the speech task (to include preparation) and negatively associated with SBP and CO (speech preparation) and HR and CO (speech delivery). For those in the PTSD+ group, depression was negatively associated with CO and positively associated with PEP. For the most part, Veterans in the PTSD-S group exhibited lower reactivity to both tasks than Veterans in the PTSD+ group or combat-exposed controls without PTSD. In light of the emerging evidence relating blunted reactivity to unhealthy behaviors and negative health outcomes (e.g., depression, obesity), it would appear that both extremes, exaggerated and diminished reactivity are maladaptive responses to stress and that the most optimally response to stress is a moderate reaction.

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Abraham, Theresa Denise. "Female Veterans' Combat Experience and PTSD on Male Partners' Psychological Distress and Relationship Quality." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6500.

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Female veterans' combat exposure to trauma places them at risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has consequences for healthful reintegration to family and civilian life. Previous research found that wives who provide continuous care to male veterans with PTSD experience symptoms of psychological distress; however, little research has been conducted on the influence of female veterans' PTSD on their intimate male partners' (IMPs) psychological well-being. A multivariate correlational design was used to examine the influence of female veteran PTSD on psychological distress and relationship quality in IMPs. The couples' adaption to traumatic stress model was used as the theoretical framework. The research questions examined (a) the difference between female veterans with and without PTSD on the length of time in the relationship, combat experience, the total number of deployments, and IMP psychological distress and (b) the influence of female veterans' combat experience, PTSD, and IMP psychological distress on relationship quality. A sample of 71 IMPs between the ages of 18 and 65 provided survey research data on the variables of interest. Psychological distress, number of partner deployments, and length of time in relationship discriminated significantly between IMPS whose partners were diagnosed with PTSD, not diagnosed, or did not know about the PTSD diagnosis. The regression results revealed that the psychological distress of IMPs and the number of partner deployments positively predicted relationship quality. Attention to female veterans and their families can contribute to increased retention of female service members in the Army and successful integration into family and civilian life.

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Rutledge, Omar. "Characterization of Combat-Induced PTSD in OEF/OIF Veterans Using MEG-Based Imaging." Thesis, University of California, San Francisco, 2015. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1600652.

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Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder characterized by symptoms such as insomnia, irritability, issues with memory, difficulty concentrating, and poor decision-making abilities. With symptoms that closely resemble those of other anxiety disorders, it is very difficult to accurately diagnose. More research is needed to identify structural and functional imaging biomarkers to aid in diagnosis.

Methods: Ten right-handed male subjects (5 combat-exposed veterans, 5 healthy civilian controls) underwent magnetoencephalographic recording for this study. MEG data were acquired with a 275-channel whole-head CTF Omega 2000 system. Resting-state and tasked-based (Stroop Color-Naming Task) data were acquired. Voxel-based time-frequency analysis was subsequently performed using NUTMEG and SPM8.

Results: Significant differences were found between the two groups at rest (in delta, theta, gamma, and high-gamma neural oscillatory frequency bands) and during the Stroop Color-Naming task (in alpha, beta, and gamma, and high-gamma frequency bands).

Conclusions: Despite the small sample size, we were able to replicate some aspects of previous MEG research in veterans with PTSD. Not only does this result substantiate the use of MEG for population studies, but it also shows that PTSD is a mental disorder that is physical in nature and can be characterized through passively observing electromagnetic neuronal activity.

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Sola, Evan M. "MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD| A Thematic Analysis of Transformation in Combat Veterans." Thesis, California Institute of Integral Studies, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10813306.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological effect of military combat. However, little empirical research has been done to highlight specific complications and needs in treating this population, and even less has been done using the psychedelic drug MDMA. This study used the qualitative research method of thematic analysis to explore the lived experiences of combat veterans engaged in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. This study reviewed video, as well as narrative data from MDMA psychotherapy sessions. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the transcribed audio data. The specific primary aim of the present study was to investigate the following research question: What is the lived experience of combat veterans in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy sessions, and how can this experience be understood through a psychotherapeutic perspective on well-being? Exploration of psychoanalytic and transpersonal aspects of the psychotherapy process are highlighted in their facilitation of healing in combat veterans.

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Hall, Benjamin B., Jessica McKinney, Fuschia Sirois, and Jameson K. Hirsch. "Guilt and PTSD among Injured Combat Veterans: Implications of Self-Compassion and Posttraumatic Growth." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2018. https://dc.etsu.edu/asrf/2018/schedule/174.

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Introduction: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects as many as 30 percent of United States veterans, who are often at greater risk for PTSD, due to adverse military experiences (e.g., combat injury). PTSD occurs when the natural process of recovery is obstructed by the individual’s cognitions and emotions, such as guilt, related to the traumatic event. Guilt has emerged in the literature as a significant contributor to the development and maintenance of PTSD. As such, researchers have sought protective factors that may attenuate the association between guilt and PTSD. One such factor, self-compassion, may facilitate the natural process of recovery, perhaps by promoting the process of posttraumatic growth (PTG) – a process of adaptive growth following a trauma. Our study examined the direct association between guilt and symptoms of PTSD, and the potential mediating role of self-compassion and PTG. At the bivariate level, we hypothesized that guilt will be inversely related to self-compassion and PTG, and positively associated with PTSD symptoms. At the multivariate level, we hypothesized that guilt will be directly related to PTSD symptoms and, further, indirectly related via its serial association with self-compassion and PTG. Methods: Participants (N = 172) in this IRB-approved study were recruited via online invitations distributed to veterans-related social media groups and national organizations (e.g., Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW] chapters). Participants were included in the study if they reported experiencing injury during combat. Participants completed self-report surveys including the Differential Emotions Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory – Short Form, and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) – Military Version. Results: At the bivariate level, symptoms of PTSD were positively associated with guilt and both were negatively associated with self-compassion and PTG. Self-compassion and PTG were positively associated. At the multivariate level, guilt exhibited a significant total effect on PTSD that, while remaining significant, was significantly reduced when accounting for self-compassion and PTG. Guilt also exhibited a significant total indirect effect, via its deleterious impact on self-compassion. No other indirect pathways were significant. Conclusions: The association between guilt and symptoms of PTSD may be due, in part, to the stifling effect of guilt on self-compassion and post-traumatic growth. Therapeutically reducing guilt, perhaps via cognitive restructuring (e.g., about the nature of, or role in, trauma), or promoting self-compassion (e.g., via self-soothing, guided meditation; blessings journal) may, in turn, reduce symptoms of PTSD.

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Hansen, Christine R. "The Impact of Service Dogs on Combat Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7149.

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Combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related symptoms often require the use of complementary therapeutic aids, such as service dogs, to assist them in their recovery in addition to traditional evidence-based therapy. Anecdotal literature was available on the use of service dogs, but quantitative research has not been conducted to answer the question of what the impact was of the use of service dogs on reducing symptoms of PTSD among combat and non-combat veterans. Attachment theory was one of the most common theoretical frameworks for exploring the use of service dogs for treating combat PTSD. The theoretical framework for this study was derived from Bowlby's theory on attachment and the work done with Ainsworth to review the possible correlations between secure and insecure attachment styles and the impact of using service dogs. Three surveys were selected to measure PTSD related symptoms, service dog tasks, and attachment styles of the 64 participants to be able to look at PTSD-related symptoms and attachment theory in relation to service dog tasks. This study did not show a difference between combat veterans and non-combat veterans who use service dogs in the reduction of PTSD-related symptoms, but the study did show that there was a positive relationship between PTSD-related symptoms and the use of service dogs. Participants' answers supported anecdotal reports of the positive effect of the use of service dogs. The results of the current research provide implications for positive social change by providing important information in relation to service dogs could improve the quality of life and more manageable psychological symptoms, and that attachment styles should be considered as a mitigating factor which was missing in previous research.

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Van, Nevel Jolene M. "From Combat Veterans to Criminals: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Criminal Justice Involvement." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4183.

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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is currently known as the silent killer among combat veterans who have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. Many combat veterans do not know or understand that they may be suffering from mental illness/disorders such as PTSD and turn to maladaptive behavior, resulting in criminal justice involvement (CJI). The goal of this study was to assess a relationship between PTSD and CJI among combat veterans. This study used cognitive behavior theory to understand the relationship between PTSD, CJI, and combat. This study used a predictive correlational design and statistical analysis of retrospective archival data (N=146) provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs to find the correlation between PTSD, CJI, and combat. The 5 research questions were: Does PTSD positively predict CJI in combat veterans? Does criminal history pre combat positively predict CJI in combat veterans who have PTSD? Does combat trauma experience positively predict CJI in combat veterans with PTSD? Does deployment length positively predict PTSD in combat veterans? And do multiple deployments positively predict PTSD in combat veterans? This study determined that PTSD did not significantly predict CJI and that criminal history did not predict PTSD. However, this study did predict that multiple deployments and length of deployment does predict PTSD in combat veterans. This study provides a way to bring change to how veterans are treated in the criminal justice system. This is important for many reasons, such as the positive social change it will have on the veteran community through providing insight on the changes that need to be made in PTSD awareness education and possible change in assessment and treatment of PTSD.

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Woolf, Adam Gregory. "Competing Narratives: Hero and PTSD Stories Told by Male Veterans Returning Home." Scholar Commons, 2012. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/4260.

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This qualitative study seeks to extend the existing body of scholarly literature on returned veteran civilian reintegration by exploring "hero" and "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" narratives. The character of the hero, as a social construct located within hegemonic notions of masculinity, is widely portrayed and believed to possess highly prized, extraordinary, almost superhuman personal qualities. However, this widely disseminated belief stands at odds with some of the stories returned veterans tell. This qualitative study explores and illuminates the enigmatic intersectionality of hero and PTSD narratives. Extant hero and PTSD narratives contain paradoxical implicit meanings embedded within them. The hero is understood to be fearless, strong, independent, and physically and emotionally tough. PTSD, on the other hand, implies personal deficiencies, enervation, dependence, diffidence, and other personal shortcomings. The apparent contradictions between these two cultural narratives elucidate how hero narrative are founded less in the lived reality as experienced by returned veterans and more in socially circulating stories about returned combat veterans as disembodied people. Most problematic is the tendency for widely circulating stories about them as the hero character to disguise the reality of day-to-day life as returned combat veterans live it. Through narrative analysis it is revealed that the popular cultural image of veterans as strong, independent, and courageous "warriors" may conflict with reality as lived by combat veterans. Paradoxically, however, returned combat veterans may employ the hero narrative in making sense of themselves. As a result, returned combat veterans may find it difficult to act in ways inconsistent with the hero narrative, such as asking for help, admitting a damaging personal problem, exacerbating the civilian reintegration experience and potentially significantly lowering returned combat veterans' quality of life. This problem may be especially salient for veterans experiencing symptoms of PTSD who may feel trapped between two the cultural narratives of hero and victim.

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Frazier, Elizabeth C. "Gender differences in cardiovascular risk indicators and cardiovascular disease among veterans with PTSD." Thesis, Birmingham, Ala. : University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. https://www.mhsl.uab.edu/dt/2008p/frazier.pdf.

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Bermes, Michael. "Childhood Predictors in the Severity of Combat Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Veterans with Combat Related Exposure." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2013. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/5766.

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Emerging research suggests that childhood adversities may increase both the risk and symptomology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in our veteran population. Over 40% of our reintegrating military veterans return with significant mental health issues led by combat-related PTSD. PTSD impacts veterans in numerous areas including unemployment, increased criminal justice involvement, increased treatment costs, divorce, co-morbid mental illness, greater levels of domestic violence, homelessness, high college dropout rates, suicide, and long term health problems. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of childhood adversities (abuse, neglect, and poverty) upon the severity of combat-related PTSD in veteran populations. Specifically, the researcher examines the direct effects of: (1) childhood trauma; (2) childhood neglect; and (3) childhood poverty (as assessed based on socioeconomic status [SES]) upon the severity of combat-related PTSD. This study of student veterans (n=102) receiving services from a veteran service center at a major metropolitan university in Central Florida is a non-experimental, explanatory, retrospective survey design using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the relationships among study variables. Findings strongly supported a relationship between childhood trauma and neglect and the severity of combat-related PTSD. Similarly, findings also supported that no relationship existed between childhood SES and the severity of combat-related PTSD. Both childhood trauma and neglect were significantly associated with combat-related PTSD at an even greater effect than that of combat exposure. SES was not found to be significant in the severity of combat-related PTSD. The findings suggest that preventive screening policies to reduce costs and severity of combat-related PTSD might be needed.
Ph.D.
Doctorate
Dean's Office, Health and Public Affairs
Health and Public Affairs
Public Affairs; Social Work

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Snay, Charles F. "Relationship between Preparedness Training and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Severity in Combat Veterans." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6863.

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In the past decade, the military has deployed approximately 1 million members into combat, and a factor that plagues the military veterans returning from combat is the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A factor to examine is preparedness training before combat because the research has shown that postcombat resilience training has been effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD. Using the social cognitive theory, the purpose of this study was to determine whether self-reported preparedness training before deployments was related to lower severity of self-reported PTSD. Based on prior research, age and gender are other variables that this study examined. Participants were a sample population of veterans who completed a quantitative survey, which included demographics, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Check List, and the Training and Deployment Preparation survey, Section H of the DRRI-2. Data collected from the survey were input into the SPSS program and analyzed using multiple linear regressions. Results reflected that preparedness training had an inverse correlation relationship to self-reported PTSD severity, age had a predictive relationship, and gender did not show a significant relationship. It appears that preparedness training for combat does help reduce self-reported severity of PTSD in veterans returning with PTSD symptoms. Providing preparedness training before combat may help in reducing this phenomenon. The results of the present study, developing procedures and therapeutic measures to help veterans in need can be generalized into the mainframe of social and behavioral change for all individuals dealing with PTSD, including first responders.

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McCarthy, Marjorie M. "An Exploration of Moral Injury as Experienced by Combat Veterans." Antioch University / OhioLINK, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1474746080725332.

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Mensch, Kirk Gregory. "Moral disengagement, hope and spirituality, including an empirical exploration of combat veterans." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/23891.

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Albert Bandura’s construct of moral disengagement has been recognized as theoretically useful for the study of self-destructive behaviors and moral disengagement, and to provide a unique criterion for empirical investigation of United States combat veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The purpose of this project is to better understand predictors related to the disengagement of moral self-sanctions in order that self-destructive behaviors related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, such as drug and alcohol abuse, and the ultimate self-destructive behavior of suicide, might be mitigated. Charles Snyder’s hope construct, Harold Koenig and Arndt Büssing’s concept of intrinsic religiosity and Corey Keyes’ notion of psychological flourishing are chosen as viable predictor variables. Hope and intrinsic religiosity are found to be significant and to be correlated with moral disengagement. Inferences regarding the results are postulated and suggestions are made for research regarding other possible predictors of moral disengagement. Agentive moral reinforcement is discussed and proposals offered related to increasing psychological resilience and decreasing the agent’s risk associated with moral disengagement.

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Ivory, Rachel L. "Combat Service and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a Violent Crimes Predictor in OEF/OIF Veterans." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4067.

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There is an established link between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and criminal activity. Of every 100 veterans who served during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), 11 to 20 percent are diagnosed with PTSD each year. Previous research has documented that veterans are incarcerated at higher percentages compared to nonveteran inmates, though little published research examines incidence of PTSD relative to violent crime. Using Agnew's general strain theory as the foundation, the purpose of this correlational study was to examine combat service, PTSD, and specific violent crimes as defined by the FBI as murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assaults; while controlling for branch of service, age, and sex. The sample consisted of 46 OEF/OIF inmates (federal and state) 9 of whom were convicted of a violent crime. Results from the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that combat service, PTSD, sex, and branch of service were not statistically significant predictors of imprisonment of OEF/OIF veterans for violent crime. Age, however, was statistically significant p = .029. The findings of this study contribute to social change by providing policymakers and prison administrators nuanced information (i.e., characteristic information - age, sex, branch of service, etc.) about the needs of this unique prison population with regards to reintegration. This may in turn contribute to improved reintegration initiatives to enrich the lives of veterans, their families, and the communities where veterans reside when returning from war. Focusing on reintegration will be very beneficial.

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Chan, Domin. "Depression and comorbid PTSD in veterans : evaluation of collaborative care programs and impact on utilization and costs /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/5403.

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Buelna, Alexander J. "Veterans' Perceptions of Military Stigma and the Shame Associated with Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress." Thesis, Walden University, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10118094.

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Military stigma is a heavy burden of social stigma internalized by veterans who are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during post-deployment psychological screening. PTSD is classified as a mental disorder associated with widespread reluctance to seek medical assistance. Among military veterans who suffer from combat-related posttraumatic stress (PTS), military stigma is considered a widespread problem. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore veterans’ perceptions of various aspects of military stigma, including post-deployment psychological screening, the diagnosis of PTSD, and factors associated with reluctance to seek medical assistance for PTS. In-depth interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 10 veterans of 2 recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. A modified form of labeling theory was applied to address the role of cultural stereotypes in stigma (societal and self-internalized), and the discriminatory factors associated with them. Multiple themes emerged, including a commonly held view that post-deployment health screenings are superficial, inconsistent, and ineffective procedures in which veterans feel the need to lie about their experience for fear of being stigmatized with a mental disorder. The findings confirm that the stigma associated with a diagnosis of PTSD perpetuates veterans’ reluctance to seek help for PTS, which results in multiple personal and professional problems. Remedies recommended by these veterans included improved post-deployment medical screening procedures, reclassification of PTSD as a war injury instead of a mental disorder, and PTS-related stigma awareness training.

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Ishaq, Masrita Binti. "A portfolio of academic, therapeutic practice and research work : including an investigation of the therapeutic approaches for military veterans affected by combat related post traumatic stress disorder (CR-PTSD), practitioners understanding of trauma work with veterans and veterans' experience of therapy for CR-PTSD." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2014. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.659438.

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This portfolio presents the work completed towards partial fulfillment for the degree of Practitioner Doctorate in Psychotherapeutic and Counselling Psychology. My professional development as a counseling psychologist is represented across the Academic Dossier, Therapeutic Practice Dossier and Research Dossier. The Academic Dossier includes three essays and three pUblications. In the first essay, the psychodynamic appl~oach was considered in relation to therapeutic work with a fictitious client affected by combat related PTSD. In the second essay, trauma focused cognitive behavioural therapy and its therapeutic relationship was evaluated in relation to militalY veterans and combat related PTSD. In the third essay, the conceptualisation of parasuicidal behaviours and how this is approached in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy was explored. The three publications were written in my second year of training. The first explains a counseling psychology approach towards combat related PTSD. The second is a report on a conference I attended titled 'DSM: The HistOlY, TheOlY and Politics of Diagnosis'. Both were published in the Wessex Psychological Bulletin. The third is a copy of the essay, which explored psychodynamic approach to combat related PTSD. This essay won the Division of Counselling Psychology RUlmer up for Annual Trainee prize 2013 and was subsequently published in the Counselling Psychology Review. The Therapeutic Practice Dossier includes a brief summmy of all four of my clinical placement and the final clinical paper. This includes the setting, brief summmy of client work, and other placement activities. My therapeutic practice was assessed through in-depth client studies and process repOlis, log books and supervisors' reports. To preserve the anonymity of the placement settings and the clients presented in the in-depth client studies and process repOlis; these documents were included in the attachment and appendix for the pemsal of examiners. Also included in this dossier is the final clinical paper, which explicates my process in becoming a counselling psychologist. This paper draws from and integrates my personal therapy, research and clinical development. The Research Dos'sier includes three research repOlis and tlu'ee conference presentations. Drawing from the NICE (2005) guidelines for PTSD, the literature review aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the various psychotherapies that are available. The second research project used Qualitative Content Analysis to examine practitioners' understanding of trauma work with militalY veterans. The third research project used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to examine military veterans' experience of therapy.

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Hall, Erika L. "Evaluation of Post-Deployment PTSD Screening of Marines Returning From a Combat Deployment." ScholarWorks, 2015. http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1498.

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The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine whether the post-deployment screening instrument currently utilized to assess active-duty Marines for symptoms of PTSD upon their return from a combat deployment can be solely relied upon to accurately assess for PTSD. Additionally, this study sought to compare the number of Marines who have sought trauma-related mental health treatment based on their answers on the Post-Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA) to the number who have sought trauma-related mental health treatment based on their answers on their PTSD Checklist â?? Military Version (PCL-M). The participants in this study were comprised of a sample of active-duty Marines that had recently returned from a combat deployment. A quantitative secondary data analysis used Item Response Theory (IRT) to examine the answers provided by the participants on both the PDHA and PCL-M. Both instruments proved to be effective when assessing symptoms of PTSD and the participants identified as having symptoms of PTSD were referred for mental health services as required. According to the results, more Marines were identified as having symptoms of PTSD using both assessment instruments (PDHA and PCL-M) compared to those identified using just the PDHA. The result was a better understanding of predictors of Marines who may later develop PTSD. The results of this study can also assist the Marine Corps with its post-deployment screening for symptoms of PTSD which in turn can provide appropriate mental health referrals for Marines if deemed appropriate.

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Rundio, Christy T. "Utilizing technology to enhance evidence-based treatment of PTSD in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom combat veterans| A grant proposal." Thesis, California State University, Long Beach, 2013. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1523164.

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The purpose of this project was to write a grant to fund a program that utilizes technology to enhance evidence-based treatment for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) combat veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). Technology in this case includes the portable technology of laptop computers, tablet computers, MP3 players, and/or smartphones. The target population in the project was the veterans of The Pathway Home, a residential treatment program for OIF/OEF veterans with PTSD. The Pathway Home serves a racially, educationally, and socioeconomically diverse population of male combat veterans of these recent conflicts. A search for funders included consultation with experts as well as Internet database searches. Ultimately, funding was pursued through an unsolicited invitation to a grant application from the Newman's Own Foundation. It was not required to submit this grant application, or secure funding, for successful completion of this project.

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Greene, Janice E. "Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Appalachian Spouses of Combat Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2017. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3201.

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This study was conducted to identify gaps in existing knowledge regarding impacts of combat-related PTSD on the spouse and to gain an understanding of the lived experience of Appalachian Spouses of combat veterans with PTSD. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify research and findings on the impacts of combat-related PTSD on spouses of veterans and a qualitative study was conducted to gain an understanding of the lives of Appalachian spouses of combat veterans with PTSD. The systematic review identified 16 qualitative studies conducted between 1988 and 2016 in five countries spanning five wars. Regardless of the country of study or the war, the spouses experienced problems dealing with the symptoms of PTSD, emotional distress, impacts to relationships and caregiver burden. The systematic literature review revealed limited information on minority or underserved populations. Qualitative interview data from ten Appalachian spouses of combat veterans with PTSD were examined to gain an understanding of their lives. Data were obtained from semi-structured interviews. Findings indicate Appalachian Vietnam veteran spouses experience similar problems dealing with the veteran’s symptoms of PTSD, relationship problems, mental health problems and caregiver burden. The veterans in this study were not diagnosed with PTSD until later in life so they spent the majority of their life without knowledge or treatment for the illness. The women in this study expressed concerns that government and society have marginalized Vietnam veterans. This research highlights the need for outreach and PTSD education for Vietnam veterans and their spouses. Future research is recommended to expand the body of knowledge on the impacts of PTSD on the spouse with particular attention to other cultures, minority and underserved populations.

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Palmer, Thomas J. "Navy Personnel and Effects of Select Factors on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomology." ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/2168.

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Since the establishment of the individual augmentee role within the U.S. Navy, little research has examined this nontraditional role associated with combat units. The majority of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research has been dedicated to Army and Marine Corps personnel with little research conducted on the Navy population. The purpose of this nonexperimental study was to identify the prevalence of combat-related PTSD symptomology for Navy personnel returning from an augmentee tour. The link between component and tour length and the presence of individual resilience factors on PTSD were examined. The theoretical foundation of this research included the cognitive link between the single and multiple exposures to traumatic events and the automatic conditioned responses related to the combat-related trauma using a retrospective view of archival datasets. Data analysis included a chi square test of independence and factoral analysis of variance to identify the combat-related PTSD symptoms and its associated variables. The sample size was a stratified random sampling of 570 cases. The results of this analysis support an association between location of tours and PTSD symptomology as well as a small effect between number of deployments and PTSD symptomology irrespective of status. These results will benefit the U.S. Navy enlisted personnel by increasing the awareness of a trend in combat-related PTSD, identify protective factors in resilience, and showcase the need for greater focus of these issues within Navy policy and leadership.

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Mills, Sarah. "How do veterans make sense of their disengagement from traditional exposure therapy and their subsequent engagement in a non-exposure based therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?" Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/299388.

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Research psychologists often complain that practitioners disregard research evidence whilst practitioners sometimes accuse researchers of failing to produce evidence with sufficient ecological validity. The tension that thus arises is highlighted, using the specific illustrative examples of two treatment methods for post-traumatic disorder (PTSD): Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and exposure based interventions. Contextual reasons for the success or failure of particular treatment models that are often only tangentially related to the theoretical underpinnings of the models are discussed. Suggestions regarding what might be learnt from these debates are put forward and implications for future research are discussed.

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Raiche, Emily. "The Effects of Resilience and Self-Compassion on Symptoms of Stress and Growth Resulting from Combat Exposure in Service Members." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2017. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc984272/.

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The current study examined the impact of resilience and self-compassion on the relationship between combat exposure and psychological outcomes, specifically post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth. Service members and veterans with combat exposure (N = 143) completed an online survey, through which they were administered a Background Questionnaire, the Combat Exposure Scale, the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Self-Compassion Scale. Results of a path analysis revealed a positive direct effect of combat exposure on post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth and a negative direct effect of self-compassion on post-traumatic stress symptoms. Furthermore, self-compassion moderated the relationship between combat exposure and post-traumatic growth. Implications of these findings and future directions for research are discussed.

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Foster, Michael Ben. "The impact of combat-related PTSD on employment." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2152/ETD-UT-2010-12-2278.

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PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) has impacted veterans of combat throughout history. With current advances in protective combat armor and in combat medical treatment, more and more of the soldiers who would have perished in the battlefield are being saved and returned home. While their physical wounds may heal, the traumatic events experienced on the battlefield continue to impact their personal, social, and vocational lives. This study explores the perceptions of veterans with respect to their vocational stability and the impact that PTSD has had on their vocational functioning. Eleven veterans were selected to participate in this qualitative study. These veterans were all veterans of combat actions ranging from the Vietnam War to the current military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Once selected, these veterans participated in interviews which explored their vocational history, their perceptions of their employment instability, and their perceptions of the impact that PTSD had on their vocational functioning and employment instability. Once the interviews were completed, they were transcribed and analyzed using open coding to identify common themes throughout the data. These themes included behavioral issues, perception of treatment, and their military experiences. Each theme was explored and interpreted to identify how PTSD impacted these participants in maintaining employment instability. Interpretations of the data lead to the conclusion that combat-related PTSD does, as the literature identifies, cause vocational instability. However, the data shows that while the participants did experience vocational instability, it was not because they were typically fired or dismissed from employment, but rather, they quit jobs prior to being fired. The participants were able to identify their triggers and stressors to the point that they simply quit their jobs when these triggers and stressors arose. Thus, much of their vocational instability may possibly have been prevented had they been able to effectively communicate their stressors and triggers to their employers and co-workers. Limitations of the study as well as implications for practice and future research are discussed.
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Hunt, Sandra L. "Development of an inventory to assess coping skills among PTSD diagnosed combat veterans." 2001. https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI3012139.

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Many researchers believe that Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may be a chronic condition, and that effective treatment must involve teaching the patient coping skills to manage his or her symptoms. The importance of such skills is also suggested by reviews of treatment programs designed for this disorder: They typically direct intervention toward the development of skills to cope with PTSD as well as to the underlying symptomology. The present study describes the initial stages in the development of the PTSD Coping Inventory (PCI); a tool for evaluating the acquisition of coping skills specific to combat related PTSD. In Phase I of this study a previously developed 50-item PTSD coping inventory was refined and reduced using data from a sample of 121 PTSD diagnosed veterans. Phase II consisted of re-administering the resulting 35-item inventory to a sample of 90 PTSD diagnosed combat veterans. Additional data reduction resulted in a 24-item inventory for which psychometric properties were examined. The measure as a whole yielded adequate reliability and correlated predictably with a number of related measures. While additional refinement of the scale is suggested—including further examination of the underlying factor structure—the PCI shows promise as a psychometrically sound instrument for measuring PTSD coping skills in combat veterans.

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Bicknell, Michael John. "Veteran's Odyssey : combat trauma and the long road to treatment (report from VFW Post 6974)." Thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2152/ETD-UT-2011-08-4219.

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Combat veterans often return from war with psychological as well as physical injuries. Armed service members who are bodily injured routinely go to hospitals for treatment, first at military hospitals and later in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system. But those with psychological injuries like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often go years, if not a lifetime, without treatment, in large part because the VA denies their claims with dubious justification. Veterans’ service organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the American Legion, and others, as well as state and county governments, have knowledgeable service officers whose job is to help guide veterans through the VA system and through the many appeals that are often needed to get treatment and an adequate disability rating that could result in monetary payments. This report tells the story of one VFW post in Burnet, Texas, its veterans, their families, and how their success in getting treatment for PTSD has positively affected their lives. It has also enabled them, as they recover, to help other veterans seek treatment and win compensatory disability ratings too. The report focuses on one Vietnam veteran, who four decades after his discharge from the Army came to be treated for PTSD.
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Coxon, Robert Andrew. "Battlefield trauma (exposure, psychiatric diagnosis and outcomes)." 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/50423.

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These original data for this research were documented in the clinical diary records of an army psychiatrist on deployment in Vietnam during 1969–70. This study is unique due to the original battlefield diagnosis data used for foundation comparison analysis and longitudinal retrospective case control paired measurement. In battlefield psychiatric assessment diagnostic data recorded in Vietnam during 1969–70 of 119 Australian military servicemen (Experimental group) who presented battlefield trauma exposure reactions were examined. The research case controls (Control group) are 275 Australian Vietnam veterans selected from data at the Australian War Memorial Research Centre. Case control identified participants did not present with medical symptoms in 1969-70 and presented the same demographic profile as the Experimental group population. This research examined whether initial psychiatric illnesses initiated by battlefield trauma exposure in 1969-70 by a cohort of Vietnam veterans would have long term pernicious effects on their physical and psychological health, relationships and employment status. This research compared, PTSD, delayed onset PTSD, severity of combat exposure and depressive symptoms, quality of dyads, general health and quality of life. The analysis of specific demographic variables determined the means, standard deviations, and medians for those continuous variables for both groups from 1969-70 (n=394) and 2006-07 (n=97). The 2006-07 Experimental group (n=21) represents 17.65% and the Control group (n=76) represents 28.15% of the original groups selected and matched from 1969-70 data. These participants completed a battery of psychometric questionnaires and a follow up telephone interview. Demographic variables were evaluated for inclusion as covariates. These demographic variables were correlated with combat exposure and the presentation of PTSD in 1969-70 and 2006-07. PTSD identified in 2006-07 was modelled as a latent variable with three manifest indicators (re-experiencing, hyper-arousal and avoidance). Categorical variables were determined by frequency tables for respective group participants. Group differences in continuous variables were analysed by t-test or the Wilcoxon signed rank sum test accounting for non-normal distributions. Categorical variables, chi-square tests or Fisher's Exact Tests were performed when assumptions of chi-square tests were violated. Research participants from 1969-70 and 2006-07 did not indicate a significant difference in demographic, categorical or continuous variables. Initial 1969-70 battlefield psychiatric diagnosis TSD did indicate of a causal link to delayed onset PTSD in research participants in 2006-07. The PTSD (2006-07 diagnosis) indicated a descriptive difference, 64 of the 76 Control met the diagnostic criteria, while 19 of the 21 Experimental met the criteria. A significant difference was identified in the 2006-07 presence and severity of depression, two symptoms (intrusion and avoidance) of PTSD and the reported combat exposure. The prevalence of delayed onset PTSD was also highlighted. Obtaining original battlefield psychiatric diagnoses is rare. Comparison with an identifiable Control group after 35 years informs knowledge of how military personnel cope with battlefield exposure. Specifically concluding that; battlefield exposures during 1969-70 for the majority of the research participants have impacted detrimentally on their psychological and physical health, relationships, employment and ongoing overall wellbeing to this day. Delayed onset PTSD is the principal indicator of this current state for these veterans.
Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2008

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Weavers, Melissa D. M. "Posttraumatic stress and intimate partner relationship functioning: An examination of couple distress and the interrelation of symptomology." 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1993/23975.

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Veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress (PTSD), compared to relative trauma-exposed veterans without PTSD, have more serious relationship problems. Research in the area of combat trauma-related symptoms and intimate partner relationships have to-date, mostly focused on identifying the negative outcomes of trauma but have not elaborated on how the symptoms themselves act as agents in negative relationship functioning. The purpose of this study was to identify a relationship between combat-related PTSD symptoms of insomnia/sleep dysfunction, avoidance/emotional numbing, and intimate partner distress - specifically the mechanisms by which symptoms and distress are maintained or exacerbated. A review of combat trauma and relationship theories indicated that a newly applied theory, Conservation of Resources (COR) could account for specific combat trauma symptomology, the effects of non-PTSD intimate partners’ distress, and the course of these aspects. This study predominately utilized quantitative data for exploratory correlational research. One hundred and fifteen Canadian combat veterans completed self-administered questionnaires that included demographic characteristics, supplementary questions and the study variables: PTSD assessment, dyadic adjustment, and sleep issues. Results indicated that PTSD overall is negatively related to dyadic adjustment, and that avoidance symptoms represent the most detrimental cluster of PTSD in terms of relationship functioning. Although insomnia/sleep dysfunction was not correlated to dyadic adjustment for those with PTSD, it was identified as a contributor to negative relationship functioning through supplementary responses. The study suggests a revised Canadian PTSD prevalence rate of 29%, which is noteworthy when compared to the previous PTSD prevalence rate estimation of 10%. The application of COR theory to combat veterans and relationship functioning is supported by the results of this study. Findings of this study can aid clinicians in the enhancement of couple therapies, draw attention to the need for improved deployment screening and care provisions for military members, and contribute to the breadth of empirical literature.

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Samson, J. Jason. "CHANGING TACTICS: REHABILITATING CANADIAN JUSTICE FOR TRAUMATIZED VETERANS." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10222/15358.

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This thesis examines how military members and veterans with Operational Stress Injuries are treated by Canadian justice systems. It suggests a correlation between mental injuries sustained on operations by military personnel and propensities for military and societal misconduct. By comparing civilian and military processes with American justice counterparts, a plan to improve the existing Canadian legal landscape is proposed. Using an analysis of the underlying philosophy and purpose of military justice, a problem solving diversionary court is recommended, along with legislative and policy amendments. The use of a consent-based “Treatment Standing Court Martial” would place military justice officials parallel to civilian justice alternative measures programs, and in a better position to break the cycle of recidivism among veterans by addressing root causes. Education to reduce stigma along with military-civilian partnerships are also advocated to enhance the detection of mental illness and to foster early treatment for military personnel and veterans. The overall goals of the work include: reducing recidivism, improving operational efficiency and taking care of military members, veterans and their families.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Delayed ptsd in combat veterans'

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