Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Ann Epidemiol. 2012 Feb;22(2):71-8. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2011.11.003.
To evaluate potentially modifiable deployment characteristics-- predeployment preparedness, unit support during deployment, and postdeployment support-that may be associated with deployment-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
We recruited a sample of 2616 Ohio Army National Guard (OHARNG) soldiers and conducted structured interviews to assess traumatic event exposure and PTSD related to the soldiers' most recent deployment, consistent with DSM-IV criteria. We assessed preparedness, unit support, and postdeployment support by using multimeasure scales adapted from the Deployment Risk and Resilience Survey.
The prevalence of deployment-related PTSD was 9.6%. In adjusted logistic models, high levels of all three deployment characteristics (compared with low) were independently associated with lower odds of PTSD. When we evaluated the influence of combinations of deployment characteristics on the development of PTSD, we found that postdeployment support was an essential factor in the prevention of PTSD.
Results show that factors throughout the life course of deployment-in particular, postdeployment support-may influence the development of PTSD. These results suggest that the development of suitable postdeployment support opportunities may be centrally important in mitigating the psychological consequences of war.
评估可能与与部署相关的创伤后应激障碍（ PTSD）相关的可调节部署特征（部署前的准备、部署期间的部队支持以及部署后的支持）。
我们招募了 2616 名俄亥俄州陆军国民警卫队（OHARNG）士兵作为样本，并进行了结构化访谈，以根据 DSM-IV 标准评估与士兵最近部署相关的创伤事件暴露和 PTSD。我们使用从部署风险和弹性调查中改编的多指标量表来评估准备情况、部队支持和部署后的支持。
与部署相关的 PTSD 的患病率为 9.6%。在调整后的逻辑模型中，与低水平相比，所有三种部署特征（与低水平相比）的高水平都与 PTSD 的可能性降低独立相关。当我们评估部署特征组合对 PTSD 发展的影响时，我们发现部署后的支持是预防 PTSD 的一个重要因素。
结果表明，部署过程中的各个因素——特别是部署后的支持——可能会影响 PTSD 的发展。这些结果表明，开发合适的部署后支持机会可能对减轻战争的心理后果至关重要。
