Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government
Veterans Benefits and Health Care About VA Find a VA Location

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR&D Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, levels of social support, and emotional hiding in returning veterans.

Duax JM, Bohnert KM, Rauch SA, Defever AM. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, levels of social support, and emotional hiding in returning veterans. Journal of rehabilitation research and development. 2014 Jul 1; 51(4):571-8.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.    Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions


Abstract:

The current study examines the associations among levels of social support, emotional hiding, and screening positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within a sample of 536 Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) veterans. Michigan and Ohio OIF/OEF veterans were contacted to complete a postdeployment mental health screening questionnaire developed as part of the Department of Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System's Serving Returning Veterans Mental Health Program. Approximately 30% of veterans screened positive for PTSD. All sources of social support, as well as emotional hiding, were significantly associated with screening positive for PTSD. Each unit increase of emotional hiding from spouses or significant others, friends, and family was associated with a 32% to 44% increase in odds of screening positive for PTSD. Additional research is needed to examine constructs related to social support and PTSD, such as emotional hiding, in order to identify areas for intervention.




Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.