Risk factors for PTSD and other diagnoses in a general sample of Vietnam veterans

American Journal of PsychiatryPublished 1 June 1990

B L Green, Mary C. Grace, Jacob D. Lindy, Goldine C. Gleser, Anthony C. Leonard

DOI10.1176/ajp.147.6.729

Source URL

Citations284

SJR quartileQ1

SJR score5.27

SNIP3.68

TL;DR

The study supported the notion that PTSD is specifically linked to intense stressors and mechanisms for interactions among risk factors are discussed.

Abstract

This study examined the contribution of premilitary, military, and postmilitary risk factors to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other postwar diagnoses in a sample of Vietnam veterans. PTSD was explained primarily by war stressors, including threat to life and exposure to grotesque death, but premilitary and postmilitary factors also contributed to the likelihood of a current diagnosis of PTSD. Panic disorder was also highly predicted by war experiences, whereas prewar functioning played a stronger role in several non-PTSD diagnoses. The study supported the notion that PTSD is specifically linked to intense stressors. Mechanisms for interactions among risk factors are discussed.

Keywords

Psychology

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