Psychological resilience in U.S. military veterans: A 2-year, nationally representative prospective cohort study

Kayla Isaacs, Natalie P. Mota, Jack Tsai, Ilan Harpaz-Rotem, Joan M. Cook, Paul D. Kirwin, John H. Krystal, Steven M. Southwick, Robert H. Pietrzak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

80 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although many cross-sectional studies have examined the correlates of psychological resilience in U.S. military veterans, few longitudinal studies have identified long-term predictors of resilience in this population. The current prospective cohort study utilized data from a nationally representative sample of 2157 U.S. military veterans who completed web-based surveys in two waves (2011 and 2013) as part of the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS). Cluster analysis of cumulative lifetime exposure to potentially traumatic events and Wave 2 measures of current symptoms of posttraumatic stress, major depressive, and generalized anxiety disorders was performed to characterize different profiles of current trauma-related psychological symptoms. Different profiles were compared with respect to sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics. A three-group cluster analysis revealed a Control group with low lifetime trauma exposure and low current psychological distress (59.5%), a Resilient group with high lifetime trauma and low current distress (27.4%), and a Distressed group with both high trauma exposure and current distress symptoms (13.1%). These results suggest that the majority of trauma-exposed veterans (67.7%) are psychologically resilient. Compared with the Distressed group, the Resilient group was younger, more likely to be Caucasian, and scored lower on measures of physical health difficulties, past psychiatric history, and substance abuse. Higher levels of emotional stability, extraversion, dispositional gratitude, purpose in life, and altruism, and lower levels of openness to experiences predicted resilient status. Prevention and treatment efforts designed to enhance modifiable factors such as gratitude, sense of purpose, and altruism may help promote resilience in highly trauma-exposed veterans.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)301-309
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research
Volume84
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Depression
  • Epidemiology
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder
  • Resilience
  • Trauma
  • Veterans

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Psychological resilience in U.S. military veterans: A 2-year, nationally representative prospective cohort study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this