Deployment stressors, gender, and mental health outcomes among Gulf War I veterans

J Trauma Stress. 2005 Apr;18(2):115-27. doi: 10.1002/jts.20018.

Abstract

Findings indicate that war-zone exposure has negative implications for the postdeployment adjustment of veterans; however, most studies have relied on limited conceptualizations of war-zone exposure and focused on male samples. In this study, an array of deployment stressors that were content valid for both female and male Gulf War I military personnel was examined to elucidate gender differences in war-zone exposure and identify gender-based differential associations between stressors and mental health outcomes. While women and men were exposed to both mission-related and interpersonal stressors and both stressor categories were associated with mental health outcomes, women reported more interpersonal stressors and these stressors generally had a stronger impact on women's than on men's mental health. Exceptions are described, and implications are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Anxiety / therapy
  • Environment*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events*
  • Male
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome / psychology*
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome / therapy
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Support
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Veterans / psychology*
  • Veterans / statistics & numerical data*