Table 2.
Deployment stress and postdeployment clinical characteristics of three latent PTSD profiles
| Dysphoric (n = 195) | Threat reactivity (n = 129) | High symptom (n = 99) | p | Pairwise results | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat exposure at T1 (mean, s.d.)1 | 3.5 (2.2) | 4.7 (2.1) | 3.8 (2.2) | <0.001 | D v. T p < 0.001; D v. H p = 0.21; T v. H p = 0.006 |
| Personal life stress at T1 (median, IQR)2 | 6.0 (3.0–9.0) | 3.5 (1.0–7.0) | 5.0 (2.3–9.0) | 0.008 | D v. T p = 0.002; D v. H p = 0.70; T v. H p = 0.04 |
| Comorbid MDD at T2 | <0.001 | D v. T p < 0.001; D v. H p < 0.001; T v. H p < 0.001 | |||
| No | 82 (42.1%) | 94 (72.9%) | 16 (16.2%) | ||
| Yes | 113 (57.9%) | 35 (27.1%) | 83 (83.8%) | ||
| Comorbid GAD at T2 | <0.001 | D v. T p = 0.01; D v. H p < 0.001; T v. H p < 0.001 | |||
| No | 117 (60.0%) | 95 (73.6%) | 19 (19.2%) | ||
| Yes | 78 (40.0%) | 34 (26.4%) | 80 (80.8%) | ||
| Comorbid SUD at T2 | 0.003 | D v. T p = 0.22; D v. H p = 0.02; T v. H p = 0.001 | |||
| No | 158 (81.0%) | 112 (86.8%) | 68 (68.7%) | ||
| Yes | 37 (19.0%) | 17 (13.2%) | 31 (31.3%) | ||
| Comorbid suicidal ideation at T2 | <0.001 | D v. T p < 0.001; D v. H p = 0.10; T v. H p < 0.001 | |||
| No | 157 (80.5%) | 125 (96.9%) | 71 (71.7%) | ||
| Yes | 38 (19.5%) | 4 (3.1%) | 28 (28.3%) | ||
| Probable PTSD at T33 | 0.001 | D v. T p = 0.36; D v. H p < 0.001; T v. H p = 0.009 | |||
| Negative | 77 (55.8%) | 49 (49.5%) | 23 (29.9%) | ||
| Positive | 61 (44.2%) | 50 (50.5%) | 54 (70.1%) |
Note. Unless otherwise indicated, values are No. (%). Bold type denotes pairwise comparisons that were statistically significant after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.017). PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder; MDD = major depressive disorder; GAD = generalized anxiety disorder; SUD = substance use disorder; D = dysphoric profile; T = threat-reactivity profile; H = high-symptom profile.
The combat exposure score was missing for 35 participants.
The life stress score was missing for 25 participants. The distribution of scores was significantly skewed; thus, median (IQR) are reported. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to evaluate between-groups differences, with subsequent Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests for pairwise comparisons.
The analysis of PTSD persistence was based on a subsample of 314 respondents who had PCL-5 data at nine months postdeployment. Missing data were due to non-participation in the T3 survey (n = 64) or missing PCL-5 score (n = 45).