BackgroundPosttraumatic growth is the positive change resulting from traumatic experiences and is typically assessed with retrospective measures like the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). The PTGI was designed to include reference to a specific traumatic event, making it difficult to implement, without change, in prospective survey studies. Thus, a modified Posttraumatic Growth Inventory–Short Form (PTGI-SF) was included in a large prospective study of current and former U.S. military personnel. The current study provides preliminary psychometric data for this modified measure and its ability to assess psychological well-being at a single time point.MethodsThe study population (N = 135,843) was randomly and equally split into exploratory and confirmatory samples that were proportionately balanced on trauma criterion. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed to assess the psychometric validity of the modified measure. The final model was also assessed in a subset of the confirmatory sample with a history of trauma using CFA.ResultsResults supported a single-factor model with two additional correlations between items assessing spirituality and items assessing compassion/appreciation for others. This model also fits among the subset with a history of trauma. The resulting measure was strongly associated with social support and personal mastery.ConclusionsThe modified PTGI-SF in this study captures psychological well-being in cross-sectional assessments, in addition to being able to measure posttraumatic growth with multiple assessments. Results indicate that the modified measure is represented by a single factor, but that items assessing spirituality and compassion/appreciation for others may be used alone to better capture these constructs.

Research has shown combat exposure to be associated with negative mental health outcomes. Different combat exposure measures are not composed of the same combat experiences, and few combat exposure measures have been directly compared to another measure. Furthermore, research about the unique associations between specific combat experiences and mental health is lacking. We investigated associations between new-onset posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), new-onset depression, and alcohol-related problems and two commonly used measures of combat among a sample of 20,719 recently deployed U.S. military personnel. A 13-item measure assessed both direct and indirect combat exposures, and a 5-item measure assessed only indirect exposures. Both combat measures were associated with all outcomes in the same direction (e.g., PTSD, odds ratio [OR] = 2.97 vs. 4.01; depression, OR = 2.03 vs. 2.42; alcohol-related problems, OR = 1.41 vs. 1.62, respectively, for the 5- and 13-item measures). The 13-item measure had a stronger association with some outcomes, particularly PTSD. Each specific item had significant bivariate associations with all outcomes, ORs = 1.43-4.92. After adjusting for other combat exposures, items assessing witnessing abuse, feeling in danger, and knowing someone injured or killed remained associated with all outcomes, ORs = 1.18-2.72. After this adjustment, several items had unexpected protective associations with some mental health outcomes. Results indicated these two combat exposure measures were approximately equally effective for determining risk for negative mental health outcomes in a deployed population, despite having different content. Additional research is needed to replicate and understand how specific combat exposures affect health.

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IntroductionAnnual Influenza vaccination rates among Healthcare Workers (HCW) in Ireland are almost universally low despite national and international recommendations. Improving HCW Influenza vaccination rates remains an annual challenge for Occupational Health Departments. Previously studied intervention strategies that increased vaccine uptake internationally include: provision of free vaccine, easy access to the vaccine, knowledge and behaviour modification through educational activities and/or reminders and/or incentives. The aim of this study was to determine if attitudes towards the Influenza vaccination in HCW in Ireland remained a barrier to uptake of vaccination and if a brief educational intervention could cause an attitudinal shift towards receiving the vaccination. It also questioned the attitudes of HCW towards mandatory Influenza vaccination.MethodsA brief interventional video was commissioned locally prior to the start of the national influenza campaign 2017/18. It contained local healthcare staff discussing evidence based facts regarding the influenza vaccination and rationale for HCW uptake. HCW who attended the intervention were offered a questionnaire at the educational session assessing their attitude towards the vaccination.Result157 HCW attended and 143 completed the questionnaire. In 2016/17 Influenza season 43.4% (n=62) indicated they received the influenza vaccination. Following the intervention, the intention to receive the vaccination in 2017/18 increased to 76.2% (n=109). A further 15.3%(n=22) indicated vaccination consideration. 50.3% (n=72) stated the brief intervention had influenced their decision. Prior to the educational intervention 39.2% (n=56) agreed with mandatory Influenza vaccination for HCW. This increased to 49.7% (n=71) post intervention.DiscussionThe brief educational intervention increased the numbers of HCW indicating they would get or would consider getting the annual Influenza vaccination. The intervention was noted as an influencing factor and could be a useful tool in increasing the vaccination rate amongst HCW in Ireland particularly if engagement with it was a mandatory requirement.