ERIC Number: EJ955213
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Jul
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1087-3244
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Health Risk Behaviors among Afghanistan and Iraq War Veterans Attending College
Widome, Rachel; Kehle, Shannon M.; Carlson, Kathleen F.; Laska, Melissa Nelson; Gulden, Ashley; Lust, Katherine
American Journal of Health Behavior, v35 n4 p387-392 Jul 2011
Objective: To determine if post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with health risk behaviors among Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans attending college. Method: Using 2008 Boynton College Student Health Survey data, we tested associations between self-reported PTSD diagnosis and self-reported risk behaviors (n=406). Results: We found PTSD diagnosis to be significantly associated with reporting involvement in a physical fight in the past year (ARR = 3.1; 95% CI: 2.2, 4.4) and marginally associated with high risk drinking (ARR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.6). However, no association was seen between PTSD and the tobacco use and other safety behaviors that we examined. Conclusion: PTSD is likely a factor that contributes to the relationship between military service and certain health risk behaviors.
Descriptors: Military Service, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Identification, Veterans, Risk, Health Behavior, Drinking, Smoking, War, College Students, Student Surveys, Measurement Techniques
PNG Publications. 9728 Evening Bird Lane, Laurel, MD 20723. Tel: 301-725-4644; Fax: 301-725-4644; Web site: http://www.ajhb.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A