Deployment and PTSD in the female combat veteran: a systematic review

The number of females serving in the Gulf War has risen and continues to be a rapidly growing group. Females occupy a wide range of roles and face a myriad of challenges as they serve alongside their male counterparts in almost every role. Females are also facing redeployment, multiple deployments, and/or extended deployments. The stressors of war and deployments may be putting them at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If left untreated, PTSD can have devastating and debilitating consequences for veteran's functioning and relationships, their families, and society.

To examine the literature over the past 10 years to determine if there is a relationship between deployments and the incidence of PTSD in female combat veterans as compared with male veterans.

Systematic review.

The numbers of veterans screening for PTSD are increasing. Those who have experienced extended or multiple tours have higher screening rates. Females report slightly less combat exposure than males but higher exposures to other stressors of war such as military sexual trauma. Females were at higher risk for depression while males were at higher risk of substance abuse. Females and lower rank were associated with greater utilization of Veterans Administration services.