A Mediational Model of PTSD in World War II Veterans Exposed to Mustard Gas

Authors

M. Kay Jankowski, Dartmouth Medical School
Paula P. Schnurr, Dartmouth Medical School
Gary A. Adams, Marquette UniversityFollow
Bonnie L. Green, Georgetown UniversityFollow
Julian D. Ford, University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Dentistry
Matthew J. Friedman, Dartmouth Medical School

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

8 p.

Publication Date

8-2004

Publisher

Wiley

Source Publication

Journal of Traumatic Stress

Source ISSN

0894-9867

Abstract

Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine associations among trauma-related-contextual factors, initial psychological reactions, social support, and subsequent disclosure on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a sample of World War II (WWII) veterans exposed to mustard gas (N = 305). A structural model suggested that initial psychological reaction mediated the relationship between variables related to the context of mustard gas exposure and severity of PTSD symptoms 50 years later. Unexpectedly, social support appeared to be positively related to PTSD symptoms, and not related to the contextual variables or initial psychological reactions. These findings contribute to our understanding of PTSD in older veterans, and have relevance for early intervention services to prevent PTSD among those at risk for exposure to toxic agents.

Comments

Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol. 17, No. 4 (August 2004): 303-310. DOI.

Gary Adams was affiliated with the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh at the time of publication.

Recommended Citation

Jankowski, M. Kay; Schnurr, Paula P.; Adams, Gary A.; Green, Bonnie L.; Ford, Julian D.; and Friedman, Matthew J., "A Mediational Model of PTSD in World War II Veterans Exposed to Mustard Gas" (2004). Management Faculty Research and Publications. 183.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/mgmt_fac/183