Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Gulf War Veterans

Abstract

This study assessed the prevalence of risk for development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among active duty and reserve veterans from Pennsylvania and Hawaii who either deployed (N = 1,524) or did not deploy (N = 2,727) to the Persian Gulf as a result of Operation Desert Storm. All participants anonymously completed a survey questionnaire that included the Impact of Event Scale and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Results indicate the likelihood of PTSD symptoms in approximately 8.0% of active duty veterans and 9.3% of reserve veterans who deployed to the Persian Gulf. PTSD risk comparisons are made with other active duty Army veterans assessed 1 year earlier. Sources of trauma are presented and implications for future military deployments on potential risks for developing PTSD are discussed.