Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Functioning and Quality of Life Outcomes in Female Vietnam Veterans

Citation:

Zatzick, Douglas F., Daniel S. Weiss, Charles R. Marmar, Thomas J. Metzler, Kenneth Wells, Jacqueline M. Golding, Anita Stewart, William E. Schlenger, and Warren S. Browner. 1997. "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Functioning and Quality of Life Outcomes in Female Vietnam Veterans." Military Medicine 162 (10): 661-65.

Authors: Douglas F. Zatzick, Daniel S. Weiss, Charles R. Marmar, Thomas J. Metzler, Kenneth Wells, Jacqueline M. Golding, Anita Stewart, William E. Schlenger, Warren S. Browner

Abstract:

Assessed whether current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was associated with impaired daily functioning and quality of life in a nationally representative sample of 432 female Vietnam veterans by performing a secondary analysis of data collected in the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (R. A. Kulka et at, 1990). A subsample of 87 Ss were diagnosed with PTSD. Logistic models were used to determine the association between PTSD and outcome while adjusting for demographic characteristics and medical and psychiatric co-morbidities. Results show PTSD was associated with significantly elevated odds of poorer functioning in 5 of the 6 outcome domains; only the association between perpetration of violence in the past year and PTSD did not achieve statistical significance. After adjusting for demographics and medical and psychiatric co-morbidities, PTSD remained associated with significantly elevated odds of bed days, poorer physical health, and unemployment. The significantly increased odds of impaired functioning and diminished quality of life suggest that PTSD may be the core problem of the set of problems afflicting female Vietnam veterans. (PsycINFO Database 2012)

Keywords: mental health, posttraumatic stress disorder

Topics: Combatants, Female Combatants, Gender, Women, Health, Mental Health, PTSD, Trauma, Military Forces & Armed Groups Regions: Americas, North America Countries: United States of America

Year: 1997

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