According to a recent study, military personnel who experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse during childhood face a heightened risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when deployed to conflict zones. This research further confirms that adverse childhood experiences can make individuals more susceptible to trauma in adulthood.
The study, which examined 50 peer-reviewed articles, highlights that both individual and collective traumatic experiences contribute to the risk of developing PTSD. To address these risks, the study recommends improving military training programs and aptitude tests.
If service members have a history of childhood abuse, their deployment to conflict zones significantly increases their likelihood of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. This finding, combined with other study results, sheds light on how early adverse experiences in life can render individuals more vulnerable to trauma later on.
One of the co-authors, Marcus Credé, an associate professor and industrial psychologist at Iowa State University, specializes in studying high-stress job environments, including the military.
Credé explains, “While researchers have often focused on the amount of combat or trauma experienced during deployment to understand why some service members develop PTSD symptoms while others don’t, it appears that some individuals, due to their childhood experiences, are inherently more susceptible.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a traumatic event is characterized by a sense of horror, helplessness, serious injury, or the threat of serious injury or death. Previous studies have linked frequent and intense traumatic stressors, including adverse childhood experiences, to the development of PTSD. However, there has been debate about the strength of the connection and whether the effect is additive or multiplicative.
Credé explains the concepts of additive and multiplicative effects, comparing the former to putting weights on a scale. Each adverse childhood experience adds one weight, and trauma during deployment adds another. If the cumulative weight becomes too heavy, PTSD or elevated symptoms may develop.
The multiplicative concept, on the other hand, compares the effect to a chemical reaction. Individuals who experienced childhood abuse may respond more intensely to trauma as adults due to the impact on their coping mechanisms.
To explore the additive and multiplicative effects further, the researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 50 peer-reviewed journal articles. They compiled the pieces of the puzzle to form a complete picture and determine the impact of adverse childhood experiences on PTSD symptoms, even after controlling for combat exposure. The findings affirmed the connection between childhood experiences and PTSD symptoms.
To investigate the effects in more depth, the researchers conducted a second study using pre-existing survey data from service members before and after their deployment to Afghanistan. The study included information about the service members’ childhood experiences, trauma exposure during deployment, and PTSD symptoms upon their return to the U.S. The researchers also considered traumatic events unrelated to combat, such as sexual assault and hazing by fellow service members.
Credé and his co-authors discovered evidence supporting both additive and multiplicative effects of adverse childhood experiences on PTSD risk.
The study sheds light on several mechanisms that may explain why adverse childhood experiences increase vulnerability to trauma. If the abuse is perpetrated by a parent or authority figure, individuals may become wary of others, making it challenging to trust and form social relationships. Social support acts as a crucial buffer against trauma, but without the ability to form attachments, individuals have nobody to confide in and share their experiences.
Another mechanism is biological. When faced with a stressor, the body releases cortisol until a feedback loop signals that it is safe to return to a normal state. However, chronic and prolonged stressors can disrupt this feedback loop.
Elevated cortisol responses lead to an overreaction to even minor stressors, making everything seem threatening. This constant state of hypervigilance and exhaustion can strain relationships and cause irritability. Credé emphasizes that these effects are particularly significant for individuals with adverse childhood experiences.
Studies have shown that a significant number of Americans experience at least one traumatic event during their lives, and individuals entering the military may have experienced more abuse or trauma during childhood compared to the general population. As a result, they are at a higher risk of developing PTSD symptoms. However, the stigma surrounding mental health in the military often prevents service members from seeking professional help.
To address this issue, Credé and his co-authors propose several recommendations. They suggest incorporating more psycho-education into military training to help service members understand their potential responses to different situations and make them aware of available resources. Additionally, they recommend enhancing the military’s aptitude test to screen for adverse childhood experiences, enabling better placement of service members in positions that align with their skillsets and abilities.
The study was funded by the Army Analytics Group-Research Facilitation Laboratory and represents ongoing work by the researchers, who have collaborated on various projects for the U.S. military, including sexual harassment and assault, and risk factors for substance abuse.
Reference: “Clarifying the association between adverse childhood experiences and postdeployment posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity: A meta-analysis and large-sample investigation” by Marcus Crede, Michael Tynan, Peter D. Harms, and Paul B. Lester, published on 7 June 2023 in the Journal of Traumatic Stress.
DOI: 10.1002/jts.22940
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about PTSD risk for military veterans
What does the study reveal about the risk of developing PTSD in military veterans?
The study indicates that military veterans who experienced childhood abuse are at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when deployed to conflict zones. It highlights the link between adverse childhood experiences and vulnerability to trauma in adulthood.
How do adverse childhood experiences affect individuals’ susceptibility to trauma?
Adverse childhood experiences can impact individuals in multiple ways. They may lead to difficulties in forming social relationships, as individuals become wary of others. Additionally, chronic stressors can disrupt the body’s stress response system, making individuals more irritable, hypervigilant, and prone to perceiving even small stressors as threatening.
What are the additive and multiplicative effects mentioned in the study?
The study explains that adverse childhood experiences can have additive effects, meaning that each traumatic experience adds weight to the risk of developing PTSD. It can also have multiplicative effects, where childhood abuse can influence an individual’s coping mechanisms, making them more susceptible to trauma as adults.
How can the military address the increased risk of PTSD in service members with childhood trauma?
The study suggests several recommendations, including incorporating more psycho-education into military training to help service members understand their potential responses to different situations and be aware of available resources. It also proposes enhancing aptitude tests to screen for adverse childhood experiences, allowing for better placement of service members in positions that suit their abilities and mitigate PTSD risks.
Why is addressing the risk of PTSD important for military veterans?
Addressing the risk of PTSD is crucial for the well-being of military veterans. It is estimated that a significant number of Americans experience traumatic events, and individuals entering the military may have already experienced higher levels of abuse or trauma in childhood. By identifying and addressing these risks, proper support and resources can be provided to mitigate the impact of PTSD on veterans’ mental health and overall quality of life.
More about PTSD risk for military veterans
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Traumatic Events
- Journal of Traumatic Stress: Clarifying the association between adverse childhood experiences and postdeployment posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity: A meta-analysis and large-sample investigation
- Iowa State University: News Release on the Study
- Army Analytics Group-Research Facilitation Laboratory: Official Website
5 comments
i’m impressed by the recommendations made in the study, especially incorporating psycho-education into military training. education n awareness are key in addressing mental health challenges. let’s hope these changes are implemented soon!
interesting research on the link between childhood trauma n PTSD in vets. shows how importnt it is to address this issue in military trainin n support systems. gr8 job!
gr8 read! i had no idea how childhood experiences cud affect someone’s risk of PTSD later on. military needs to focus on providing more help n resources for vets who’ve been thru abuse. they deserve it!
really eye-opening! childhood traumas can leave lasting scars, making people more vulnerable to trauma in adulthood. glad to see researchers are working to raise awareness n improve support for our military vets.
this study highlights the impact of childhood trauma on mental health. it’s sad to think that some vets may have had to endure abuse as children, n now face an increased risk of PTSD. hope more attention is given to this issue!