Abstract

The current study examined if childhood trauma, combat-related trauma, and their interaction predict negative psychiatric outcomes, distress, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Participants include included 1,281 US military veterans from Loma Linda Veterans Affairs Hospital. Childhood trauma and combat trauma were significantly correlated with the amount of psychological symptoms and distress veterans face when returning from deployment. Multiple regression analysis showed that childhood trauma and combat trauma significantly predicted poor mental health outcomes, distress levels, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Their interaction predicted increased psychiatric symptoms in veterans such that high levels of one trauma resulted in increased symptoms no matter the level of the other trauma. All other interactions between the two variables were not significant. Childhood trauma and combat trauma significantly impact mental health outcome in the current population. Individuals who are exposed to either type of trauma are more likely to experience severe psychopathology, co-morbid diagnoses, and difficulties adjusting to life post-deployment.

LLU Discipline

Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

School of Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Boyd, Kendal C.

Second Advisor

Herbozo, Sylvia

Third Advisor

Krawczyk, Lois V.

Fourth Advisor

Vermeersch, David

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2014

Date (Title Page)

9-2014

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Stress Disorders -- Traumatic; Stress Disorders -- Post-traumatic; Veterans -- Psychology; Military Personnel

Subject - Local

PTSD; Post-traumatic stress disorder; combat-related trauma; Multiple regression analysis; Mental health outcomes; Psychopathology; Co-morbid diagnoses

Type

Thesis

Page Count

58

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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