Post-traumatic stress disorder risk and witnessing team members in acute psychological stress during combat.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Occupational groups operating in dangerous environments may witness the development of acute stress reaction (ASR) in team members. Witnessing ASR in team members may increase the risk of developing subsequent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Aims

To describe ASR symptoms that individuals witness, assess the relationship between witnessing a team member exhibiting ASR symptoms and an individual's own PTSD symptoms, and describe common intervention responses by peers.

Method

Cross-sectional, anonymous surveys were conducted with US soldiers who were previously deployed (sample 1; n = 176) and currently deployed sample 2; n = 497). Surveys assessed combat experiences, PTSD (PTSD Checklist-5), ASR exposure and intervention responses. Analyses in

SUBMITTER: Adler AB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7488310 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature