Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, levels of social support, andemotional hiding in returning veterans

摘要

The current study examines the associations amonglevels of social support, emotional hiding, and screening positivefor posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within a sampleof 536 Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom(OIF/OEF) veterans. Michigan and Ohio OIF/OEF veteranswere contacted to complete a postdeployment mental healthscreening questionnaire developed as part of the Department ofVeterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System’s ServingReturning Veterans Mental Health Program. Approximately30% of veterans screened positive for PTSD. All sources ofsocial support, as well as emotional hiding, were significantlyassociated with screening positive for PTSD. Each unitincrease of emotional hiding from spouses or significant others,friends, and family was associated with a 32% to 44%increase in odds of screening positive for PTSD. Additionalresearch is needed to examine constructs related to social supportand PTSD, such as emotional hiding, in order to identifyareas for intervention.