Table 1.
Dynamics in stress exposure, symptomatology and personality scores over time. Descriptive statistics of exposure to potentially traumatic events (%), posttraumatic and depressive symptom levels (Mean (SD)) and NEO big five personality trait scores (Mean (SD)) over time. Exposure statistics are based on n = 39 (tp1), n = 44 (tp2) and n = 31 (tp3). Symptomatology and personality statistics are based on n = 49 (tp1), n = 39 (tp2) and n = 28 (tp3). Groups with matching superscripts indicate significant difference (p < .05). PDS - posttraumatic stress diagnostic scale; BDI - Beck Depression Inventory. NEO-FFI - NEO Five-Factor Inventory.
| Prior to military service | During military service | Following discharge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exposure to potentially traumatic events | |||
| Exposed to harsh scenes of casualties | 36.8 | 97.7 | 51.6 |
| Managed an event with a seriously injured or unstable patient |
23.1 |
95.5 |
58.1 |
| Symptomatology | |||
| PDS | 1.62 (4.52)1,2 | 4.58 (5.55)1 | 3.10 (5.83)2 |
| BDI |
3.05 (3.18)1 |
4.31 (3.84) |
4.2 (4.01)1 |
| Personality (NEO-FFI) | |||
| Neuroticism | 17.71 (4.91)1 | 19.61 (7.00)1,2 | 15.19 (7.00)2 |
| Extraversion | 32.77 (5.41)1,2 | 30.43 (6.02)1 | 30.43 (5.79)2 |
| Conscientiousness | 31.62 (6.75)1 | 32.14 (7.66)2 | 35.10 (6.14)1,2 |
| Agreeableness | 29.85 (4.67) | 28.64 (5.01) | 29.68 (5.15) |
| Openness | 28 (5.35) | 27.70 (6.58) | 27.55 (6.59) |