Figure 1.

Schematic representation of sequential hypotheses about direct (full black lines/arrow) and a lack of direct (full gray lines/arrow) associations and about mediated (dashed black lines/arrows) associations between the intensity of stressful events (Combat Exposure Scale [CES] score,), intensity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms assessed by the PTSD Check List (PCL), in particular re-experiencing stressful events (PCL-B score) and negativity&hyperarousal (PCL-D and E scores), depression, suicidality, high religiosity and nicotine dependence. See text for detailed hypothesis about a “direct/mediated association chain”. The chain is generated based on univariate (unadjusted) associations depicted in Table 2 and Table 3 (zero-order correlations and cluster analysis) and independent (adjusted) associations depicted in Table 4 and Table 5 (multivariate analysis of variance and logistic regression).