Research Article
An investigation of the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder on physical health
Amy W. Wagner,
Jessica Wolfe,
Andrea Rotnitsky,
Susan P. Proctor,
Darin J. Erickson,
Corresponding Author
Amy W. Wagner
Department of Psychology, Box 3415, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3415
Department of Psychology, Box 3415, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3415Search for more papers by this authorJessica Wolfe
Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, Boston Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine (Psychiatry & Psychology), Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorAndrea Rotnitsky
Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorSusan P. Proctor
Boston Environmental Hazards Center, Boston Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boston University Schools of Medicine (Neurology) and Public Health (Environmental Health), Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorDarin J. Erickson
Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, Boston Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine (Psychiatry & Psychology), Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorAmy W. Wagner,
Jessica Wolfe,
Andrea Rotnitsky,
Susan P. Proctor,
Darin J. Erickson,
Corresponding Author
Amy W. Wagner
Department of Psychology, Box 3415, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3415
Department of Psychology, Box 3415, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3415Search for more papers by this authorJessica Wolfe
Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, Boston Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine (Psychiatry & Psychology), Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorAndrea Rotnitsky
Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorSusan P. Proctor
Boston Environmental Hazards Center, Boston Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boston University Schools of Medicine (Neurology) and Public Health (Environmental Health), Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorDarin J. Erickson
Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, Boston Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine (Psychiatry & Psychology), Boston, Massachusetts
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
In a large sample of Gulf War veterans (N = 2301) we examined the relations between PTSD symptoms assessed immediately upon returning from the Gulf War and self-reported health problems assessed 18–24 months later. PTSD symptomatology was predictive of self-reported health problems over time for both men and women veterans, even after the effects of combat exposure were removed from the analysis. Female veterans reported significantly more health problems than male veterans, however, there was no interactive effect of gender and PTSD on health problems. These findings provide further support for the theory that psychological response to stressors impacts health outcome.
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