Regular Article

Posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms in soldiers returning from combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan

  1. Coady B. Lapierre*,
  2. Andria F. Schwegler†,
  3. Bill J. LaBauve

Article first published online: 21 DEC 2007

DOI: 10.1002/jts.20278

Issue

Journal of Traumatic Stress

Journal of Traumatic Stress

Volume 20, Issue 6, pages 933–943, December 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

Lapierre, C. B., Schwegler, A. F. and LaBauve, B. J. (2007), Posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms in soldiers returning from combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. J. Traum. Stress, 20: 933–943. doi: 10.1002/jts.20278

Author Information

  1. Department of Psychology and Counseling, Tarleton State University–Central Texas, Killeen, TX

  1. †

    Andria F. Schwegler now resides in Yorktown, Virginia. This research was funded, in part, by a grant from Dr. Gary Peer, Provost, Tarleton State University. The authors would like to thank the following people for their help with this research project: John Idoux, Director Tarleton State University–Central Texas; Gene Tyson, Program Director; Miriam Anderson, Mercathea Hughes, Donna Newman, Kevin Mitchell, and Katherine Tharp, research assistants. We also appreciate the assistance of the men and women of the U.S. Army who served with honor.

*Department of Psychology and Counseling, Tarleton State University–Central Texas, 1901 S. Clear Creek Rd., Killeen, TX 76549

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 21 DEC 2007
  2. Article first published online: 21 DEC 2007

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Abstract

The purpose of the present research was to identify rates of posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms in soldiers returning from war. During reintegration training, U.S. Army soldiers, who recently returned from a 12-month deployment to either Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom, n = 2,275) or Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom, n = 1,814), completed study materials. Surveys assessed self-reported levels of depression, posttraumatic stress, and life satisfaction. Results indicated that approximately 44% of soldiers who volunteered to participate self-reported clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress symptoms, or both. Although assessing symptoms and not disorders, these results suggest a potentially high rate of mental health concerns in soldiers immediately after returning from a combat zone. Further research should examine the utility of broad scale interventions.

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