The Impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on the Psychological and Physical Health of Military Personnel

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf2025695

Keywords:

military personnel, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, war, health

Abstract

Introduction: Given that PTSD is a complex problem in military personnel, it is important to characterize its impact on both mental and physical health. 
Objectives: The purpose is to analyze the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on the psychological and physical health of military personnel based on the consideration of illustrative clinical cases. 
Methods: The methods of systematic literature analysis, thematic analysis, comparison and observation were used. The latter was expressed in 2 forms: clinical and everyday observation. Based on a strict selection of scientific sources (10 inclusion criteria were formed), the most relevant and relevant literature was selected. 
Results: The results showed that symptoms can include agitation, reflective feelings, flashbacks to painful events. 
Conclusions: The paper summarizes that PTSD can manifest itself at different stages, starting with acute acute PTSD (from 1 to 3 months), chronic PTSD (more than 3 months) to delayed PTSD (after 6 months) and complex PTSD. It can lead to cardiovascular problems, digestive problems, headaches, fibromyalgia, etc. Thus, it has been established that the impact of PTSD is multifaceted, as it includes both mental and physical health problems.

References

1. Andrew Castro C, Dursun S. Introduction to military-to-civilian life transition. In: Military Veteran Reintegration. Elsevier; 2019. p. 1-3. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-815312-3.00001-2.

2. Andrews B, Brewin CR, Stewart L, Philpott R, Hejdenberg J. Comparison of immediate-onset and delayed-onset posttraumatic stress disorder in military veterans. J Abnorm Psychol [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];118(4):767-777. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017203.

3. Babson KA, Blonigen DM, Boden MT, Drescher KD, Bonn-Miller MO. Sleep quality among U.S. military veterans with PTSD: A factor analysis and structural model of symptoms. J Trauma Stress [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];25(6):665-674. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.21757.

4. Back SE, Killeen TK, Teer AP, Hartwell EE, Federline A, Beylotte F, Cox E. Substance use disorders and PTSD: An exploratory study of treatment preferences among military veterans. Addict Behav [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];39(2):369-373. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.09.017.

5. Bergman HE, Przeworski A, Feeny NC. Rates of subthreshold PTSD among U.S. military veterans and service members: A literature review. Mil Psychol [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];29(2):117-127. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1037/mil0000154.

6. Bowd R, Özerdem A. How to assess social reintegration of ex-combatants. J Interv Statebuild [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];7(4):453-475. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/17502977.2012.727537.

7. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US). Trauma-informed care in behavioral health services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2014. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207201/.

8. Chiorcea I, Cioranu I. Emotional intelligence in military leadership. Rom Mil Think [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];2021(1):152-167. Available from: https://doi.org/10.55535/rmt.2021.1.10.

9. Crone B, Arenson M, Cortell R, Carlin E. Comparing trauma treatment outcomes between homeless and housed veterans in a VA PTSD clinical program. Community Ment Health J [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];59:797-807. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-022-01061-2.

10. Currier JM, Holland JM, Drescher KD. Spirituality factors in the prediction of outcomes of PTSD treatment for U.S. military veterans. J Trauma Stress [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];28(1):57-64. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.21978.

11. Demchenko I, Zahariichuk O, Dergach M, Porodko M, Pryzvanska R. The psychological and pedagogical aspect of the life quality of citizens with disabilities. Revista Amazonia Investiga [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];11(54):339-348. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.34069/ai/2022.54.06.32.

12. Duel J, Godier-McBard L, MacLean MB, Fossey M. Challenging missions: vulnerable veterans leaving the armed forces and promising avenues to support them. In: Military Veteran Reintegration. Elsevier; 2019. p. 95-134. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-815312-3.00006-1.

13. Fossey M, Lazier R, Neil Lewis M, Williamson N, Caddick N. Military-to-civilian transition policies, processes, and program efforts. In: Military Veteran Reintegration. Elsevier; 2019. p. 51-74. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-815312-3.00004-8.

14. Garcia Zea D, Sankar S, Isna N. The impact of emotional intelligence in the military workplace. Hum Resour Dev Int [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];26(1):85-101. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2019.1708157.

15. Gates MA, Holowka DW, Vasterling JJ, Keane TM, Marx BP, Rosen RC. Posttraumatic stress disorder in veterans and military personnel: Epidemiology, screening, and case recognition. Psychol Serv [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];9(4):361-82. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027649.

16. Haagen JFG, Smid GE, Knipscheer JW, Kleber RJ. The efficacy of recommended treatments for veterans with PTSD: A metaregression analysis. Clin Psychol Rev [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];40:184-94. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2015.06.008.

17. Huda O. Use of the Moodle platform in higher education institutions during training masters: Experience under martial law. E-Learning Innov J [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];1(2):4-20. Available from: https://doi.org/10.57125/ELIJ.2023.06.25.01.

18. Jeppesen D. Emotional intelligence and military advisors. J Sci Med Sport [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];20. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.09.605.

19. Kao MC, Chen YY. Emotional intelligence, trauma severity, and emotional expression. Int J Psychiatry Med [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];51(5):431-41. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/0091217416680198.

20. Kharchenko A. Structural features for cognitive representations of traumatic emotional experience among demobilized combatants in Ukraine with post-stress psychological disadaptation. Psychol Couns Psychother [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];12:64-69. Available from: https://doi.org/10.26565/2410-1249-2019-12-07.

21. Klymenko I, Tverdokhlib N, Zlobin O, Karachynskyi O, Kononenko O. PTSD in military personnel: diagnosis, treatment and support. Amazonia Investiga [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];13(74):286-98. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2024.74.02.24.

22. Koh CB, O’Higgins E. Relationships between emotional intelligence, perceived and actual leadership effectiveness in the military context. Mil Psychol [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];30(1):27-42. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2017.1419021.

23. Krasnodemska I, Savitskaya M, Berezan V, Tovstukha O, Rodchenko L. Psychological consequences of warfare for combatants: ways of social reintegration and support in Ukraine. Rev Amazonia Investiga [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];12(70):78-87. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34069/ai/2023.70.10.7.

24. Kryvolapchuk V, Protsyk L. Psychological and legal features of reintegration of combatants. Nauka i pravookhorona [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];(2):295-306. Available from: https://doi.org/10.36486/np.2020.2(48).30.

25. Kugler J, Andresen FJ, Bean RC, Blais RK. Couple‐based interventions for PTSD among military veterans: An empirical review. J Clin Psychol [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];75(10):1737-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22822.

26. Kulichenko A, Shramko R, Rakhno M, Polyezhayev Y. Two-dimension educational resistance in the modern Ukrainian tertiary educational establishment. Apuntes Universitarios [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];13(1):474-93. Available from: https://doi.org/10.17162/au.v13i1.1351.

27. MacEwan D, Gibson A. Emotional intelligence in military medical officers in the Defence Medical Services. BMJ Mil Health [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];169(6):554-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-002068.

28. Miloradova N. Current assessment methods of investigator’s psychological readiness for professional activities: Improvement perspectives. Futurity of Social Sciences [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];1(2):45-58. Available from: https://doi.org/10.57125/FS.2023.06.20.04.

29. Mobbs MC, Bonanno GA. Beyond war and PTSD: The crucial role of transition stress in the lives of military veterans. Clin Psychol Rev [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];59:137-44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.11.007.

30. Nikiforenko V, Kuryliuk Y, Kukin I. Geostrategic aspects of global security (using the example of Russian aggression). AD ALTA J Interdiscip Res [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];12(2):170-5. Available from: https://doi.org/10.33543/1202170175.

31. Norman SB, Haller M, Hamblen JL, Southwick SM, Pietrzak RH. The burden of co-occurring alcohol use disorder and PTSD in U.S. military veterans: Comorbidities, functioning, and suicidality. Psychol Addict Behav [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];32(2):224-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000348.

32. Oden KB, Lohani M, McCoy M, Crutchfield J, Rivers S. Embedding emotional intelligence into military training contexts. Procedia Manuf [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];3:4052-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2015.07.976.

33. Owens GP, Steger MF, Whitesell AA, Herrera CJ. Posttraumatic stress disorder, guilt, depression, and meaning in life among military veterans. J Trauma Stress [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];22(6):654-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.20460.

34. Pedlar D, Thompson JM, Andrew Castro C. Military-to-civilian transition theories and frameworks. In: Military Veteran Reintegration. Elsevier; 2019. p. 21-50. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-815312-3.00003-6.

35. Pyrohovska V, Rezvorovych K, Pavlichenko I, Sushytska Y, Ostashova V. Human rights protection in the context of information technology development: Problems and future prospects. Futurity Economics & Law [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];4(1):38-51. Available from: https://doi.org/10.57125/FEL.2024.03.25.03.

36. Stefanovics EA, Potenza MN, Pietrzak RH. PTSD and obesity in U.S. military veterans: Prevalence, health burden, and suicidality. Psychiatry Res [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];291:113242. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113242.

37. Storozhyk M. Philosophy of future: analytical overview of interaction between education, science, and artificial intelligence in the context of contemporary challenges. Futurity Philos [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];3(1):23-47. Available from: https://doi.org/10.57125/FP.2024.03.30.02.

38. Taft CT, Kaloupek DG, Schumm JA, Marshall AD, Panuzio J, King DW, Keane TM. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, physiological reactivity, alcohol problems, and aggression among military veterans. J Abnorm Psychol [Internet]. 2007 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];116(3):498-507. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843x.116.3.498.

39. Pryzvanska R, Borysova O, Mozgova G, Fedorenko A. Clinical cases and recommendations for post-traumatic rehabilitation based on EI. Rev Amazon Investig [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];13(74):227-38. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34069/ai/2024.74.02.19.

40. Tuck D, Patlamazoglou L. The relationship between traumatic stress, emotional intelligence, and posttraumatic growth. J Loss Trauma [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];24(8):721-35. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2019.1621543.

41. Vostrotin O, Litovchenko T. Clinical and paraclinical features of psychopathological disorders in right hemisphere stroke. Futurity Medicine [Internet]. 2023 Sep. 30 [cited 2024 Oct. 1];2(3):29-40. Available from: https://futurity-medicine.com/index.php/fm/article/view/49

42. Lazorko O, Overchuk V, Zhylin M, Bereziak K, Savelchuk I. Modern types of psychological correction and their practical application. Syst Rev Pharm [Internet]. 2020 Nov 30 [cited 2024 Oct 8];11(11):1316-1322. Available from: https://www.sysrevpharm.org/articles/modern-types-of-psychological-correction-and-their-practical-application.pdf

Downloads

Published

2025-01-01

How to Cite

1.
Rogozhan P, Borysova O, Volnova L, Pichurin V, Lobanov S. The Impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on the Psychological and Physical Health of Military Personnel. Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología - Serie de Conferencias [Internet]. 2025 Jan. 1 [cited 2024 Dec. 2];4:695. Available from: https://conferencias.ageditor.ar/index.php/sctconf/article/view/695