The Relationship Between Post-Deployment Factors and PTSD Severity in Recent Combat Veterans

Combat traumas precipitate PTSD, however non-traumatic deployment and post-deployment factors may also contribute to PTSD severity. The Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory was used to investigate pre, peri and post-deployment factors associated with current PTSD severity in 150 recent combat veterans with PTSD and hazardous alcohol use. Hierarchal linear regression analyzed what factors independently predicted PTSD severity when controlling for socio-demographic characteristics and combat specific variables. Four post-deployment factors independently predicted PTSD severity: unemployment, alcohol use, social support, stressful (non-traumatic) life events. The centrality of trauma in the maintenance of PTSD and clinical implications for treatment providers are discussed.