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.
‘The risk of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was significantly higher among women, as compared to men, who had similar deployment experiences, and combat experience.’
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.
Andrew MacGregor, Mary Clouser, Jonathan Mayo and Michael Galarneau, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA,
present their findings in the article entitled, "Gender Differences in
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among U.S. Navy Health Care Personnel."
The researchers reviewed gathered data from the deployment records and
post-deployment health assessments of more than 4,200 men and women who
served in the U.S. Navy and supported military operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
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
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