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Consequences of PTSD for the work and family quality of life of female and male U.S. Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans

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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Although it is well established that combat-related PTSD can lead to reduced quality of life, less is known about the relative effect of PTSD on different aspects of former service members’ post-military readjustment. Moreover, research on female veterans’ reintegration experiences is limited. This study aimed to document the work and family quality of life of post-9/11 male and female veterans and evaluate the gender-specific impact of PTSD on veterans’ work and family outcomes.

Methods

A national sample of 524 post-9/11 veterans completed mailed surveys as part of a longitudinal study. Descriptive and regression-based analyses were gender-stratified and weighted to enhance representativeness to the larger population.

Results

With a few notable exceptions, the majority of post-9/11 U.S. veterans reported high work and family quality of life. PTSD was not associated with either employment or relationship status; however, it did predict poorer work and family functioning and satisfaction for both men and women, with the most consistent negative effects on intimate relationships. Several gender differences were found, primarily with respect to work experiences.

Conclusions

Although most post-9/11 veterans appear to be doing well in both their work and family lives, results support the need for interventions that can mitigate the negative effect of PTSD and other associated mental health conditions on several aspects of work and family quality of life. Findings contribute to research suggesting both similarities and differences in the post-military readjustment of male and female post-9/11 veterans and underscore the need for additional consideration of the unique work-related challenges women experience following military service.

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Notes

  1. Demographic differences between T1 responders and non-responders were as follows: (1) 41.68% female responders versus 35.85% male non-responders; (2) mean age of 33.99 for responders versus mean age of 28.43 for non-responders; (3) 33.73% racial/ethnic minority responders versus 41.05% majority responders; (4) 39.08% Army responders, 41.41% Air Force responders, 38.32% Navy responders, and 33.20% Marine responders, and (5) 41.87% Active Duty responders versus 38.76% National Guard/Reservist responders. Demographic differences between T2 responders and non-responders were as follows: (1) 65.58% female responders versus 62.34% male non-responders; (2) mean age of 33.84 for responders versus mean age of 29.97 for non-responders; (3) 64.58% racial/ethnic minority responders versus 63.83% majority responders; (4) 64.20% Army responders, 75.00% Air Force responders, 55.56% Navy responders, and 61.40% Marine responders, and (5) 60.53% Active Duty responders versus 67.66% National Guard/Reservist responders.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported by two Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development Service grants: “Validation of Modified DRRI Scales in a National Sample of OEF/OIF Veterans” (DHI 09-086), Dawne Vogt, Principal Investigator, and “Work and Family Functioning in Women Veterans: Implications for VA Service Use (IIR 12-345), Dawne Vogt and Brian Smith, Co-Principal Investigators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Women’s Health Sciences Division (116B-3), National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA

    Dawne Vogt, Brian N. Smith, Annie B. Fox, Timothy Amoroso & Emily Taverna

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 725 Albany (7B), Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Dawne Vogt & Brian N. Smith

  3. National Center for PTSD, VA Medical Center (116D), 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA

    Paula P. Schnurr

  4. Geisel School of Medicine Dartmouth, 1 Rope Ferry Rd, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA

    Paula P. Schnurr

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  1. Dawne Vogt
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Correspondence to Dawne Vogt.

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Vogt, D., Smith, B.N., Fox, A.B. et al. Consequences of PTSD for the work and family quality of life of female and male U.S. Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 52, 341–352 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1321-5

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