
The number of women in the military is steadily increasing, and their roles also
continue to expand in health care and other combat-related areas. Therefore, it is
important to be aware of any gender differences in risk for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A study of U.S. Navy healthcare personnel has shown that when
comparing the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among
women and men who had similar deployment experiences, and especially
combat experience, the risk of PTSD was significantly higher among
women.
PTSD risk rose for both men and women with an increasing number of combat exposures, as reported in Journal of Women's Health, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Susan G. Kornstein, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Women's Health, Executive Director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Institute for Women's Health, Richmond, VA, and President of the Academy of Women's Health, said, "Understanding specific factors that may increase or reduce PTSD risk, including those related to deployment, can contribute to improved prevention and treatment strategies."
Source: Eurekalert
Advertisement
|