Risk and protective factors for post-traumatic stress among New Zealand military personnel: A cross sectional study

Richardson, Amy; Gurung, Gagan; Samaranayaka, Ari; Gardner, Dianne; deGraaf, Brandon; Wyeth, Emma; Derrett, Sarah; Shepherd, Daniel; McBride, David

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0231460

Cited by 15 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…The survey questionnaire comprised of 80 questions in total and was based on five sections: the PTSD Checklist DSM-5 (which measures distress), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-2), Audit-C Assessment Tool, the Brief Trauma Questionnaire, and the Sleep Condition Indicator. In summary, the questionnaire included a number of standardised measures of post-traumatic stress (outcome) and six exposure variables (Richardson et al , 2020). The survey also included questions pertaining as to whether the respondent worked at a 1, 2 or 3 person station, they were a member of a specialist group and whether they had been shot at.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The odds ratio was used to measure the association between the exposure to the PSTD factor and its outcome or the possibility that it will occur (Schmidt and Kohlmann, 2008). As Richardson et al (2020) identified, the design of this survey framework enabled the potential exposures of trauma, general distress and hazardous drinking and the protective exposures of social support, sleep and psychological flexibility to be examined.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (2012), a total symptom severity score can be calculated by summing participant responses to each option. This method can give a range of scores from 17 to 85, with scores between 30 and 35 indicating a significant prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms and probable cases of post-traumatic stress, while scores that are equal to or more than 45 indicate a presumptive post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis (Richardson et al , 2020; US Department of Veterans Affairs, 2012).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The questionnaire is based on participants answering either “yes” or “no” to indicate whether they had experienced the traumatic event specified in the question and if so, whether they thought that the event presented a threat to their life or that they could have sustained a serious injury from the event (National Center for PTSD, 2020). If a participant had experienced the event they would answer “yes” to the question to indicate if they thought their life was in danger or if they thought that they may be seriously injured from serving in a post-conflict zone, being involved in a serious car crash, a natural disaster, having a life-threatening illness, and experiencing physical or sexual abuse, or having been exposed to a violent death (den Heyer, 2020; Richardson et al , 2020; Schnurr et al , 2002).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk and protective factors for post-traumatic stress among New Zealand police personnel: a cross sectional study

Heyer¹

2021

PIJPSM

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PurposeThe purpose of this research was to examine which factors increase the risk of post-traumatic stress in police officers to assist with identifying strategies that will minimize its occurrence.Design/methodology/approachThis study of constabulary and non-constabulary members of the New Zealand Police has been based on an 80-question electronic survey, which was sent to all serving, resigned and retired members of the New Zealand Police Association, which number approximately 18,000. The survey included a series of questions that measured the post-traumatic stress that participants experienced.FindingsVariables associated with post-traumatic stress were examined using logistic regression modeling techniques. The study found that post-traumatic stress was prevalent among serving, resigned and retired police members and exposure to trauma, especially prolonged exposure, was significantly associated with post-traumatic stress. More than 49% of participants were found to have some post-traumatic stress symptoms and more than 14% of participants indicated a presumptive clinical diagnosis of post-traumatic stress.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the research included not include questions relating to the Social Provisions Scale (SPS) and General Health Questionnaire, nor did it include police officer recruits. A further limitation was that it was a cross-sectional study.Originality/valueAn understanding as to which variables influence or increase post-traumatic stress disorder is important for police officers and the police institution. The findings from this study indicate that exposure to trauma is strongly associated with high levels of post-traumatic stress, while good sleep and relaxation decrease the influence of such variables.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk and protective factors for post-traumatic stress among New Zealand police personnel: a cross sectional study

Heyer¹

2021

PIJPSM

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“…We have previously reported factors associated with post-traumatic stress in this group, [26] using No other studies appear to have used the EQ-VAS as an outcome measure for Veteran health.…”

Section: Comparison With Other Studiesmentioning

confidence: 97%

Factors associated with self-reported health among New Zealand military Veterans: a cross-sectional study

McBride

Samaranayaka

Richardson

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Objective To identify factors associated with better or poorer self-reported health status in New Zealand Military Veterans. Design: An online cross-sectional survey. Participants The total number of eligible Veterans is unknown, but a total of 1,817 Veterans responded, including 1009 serving personnel providing a 26% response rate from that group. Study variables Health status was self-reported using the EQ-5D-5L, which asks about problems across five dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression), with five levels of severity (e.g. no, slight, moderate, severe or extreme problems). The EQ-5D-5L also contains a visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), scaled from 0 (worst) to 100 (best) imagined health. Hypothetical relationships with better health were positive social support, sleep and psychological flexibility; with poorer health, exposure to psychological trauma, distress and hazardous drinking. Results: The proportion of Veterans reporting 'any problems' compared to 'no problems' with the five EQ-5D dimensions, was similar to those found in the general NZ population, although a higher proportion of Veterans reported problems with mobility, self-care, usual activities and pain/discomfort. Psychological flexibility and better sleep quality were associated with higher EQ-VAS scores; distress was associated with lower EQ-VAS scores. Conclusion: In this sample of New Zealand Veterans, psychological flexibility and good sleep are associated with better self-rated health, and distress and poor sleep with diminished health. These factors might be used as sentinel health indicators in assessing Veteran health status. As distress, psychological flexibility and sleep are closely related, cognitive behavioural therapy encompassing these domains may be useful in improving the health of New Zealand Veterans.

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Pathways to mental health care in active military populations across the Five-Eyes nations: An integrated perspective

Fikretoglu

Sharp

Adler

et al. 2022

Clinical Psychology Review

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Risk and protective factors for post-traumatic stress among New Zealand military personnel: A cross sectional study

Abstract: Background Post-traumatic stress (PTS) is prevalent among military personnel. Knowledge of the risk and protective factors associated with PTS in this population may assist with identifying personnel who would benefit from increased or targeted support.

Cited by 15 publications

References 65 publications

Risk and protective factors for post-traumatic stress among New Zealand police personnel: a cross sectional study

Risk and protective factors for post-traumatic stress among New Zealand police personnel: a cross sectional study

Factors associated with self-reported health among New Zealand military Veterans: a cross-sectional study

Pathways to mental health care in active military populations across the Five-Eyes nations: An integrated perspective

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