The Impact of Benefit Finding and Leadership on Combat-Related PTSD Symptoms |
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| Authors: | Michael D. Wood Heather M. Foran Thomas W. Britt Kathleen M. Wright |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Walter Reed Army Institute of Research:, U.S. Army Medical Research Unit—Europe , Heidelberg , Germany michael.wood@amedd.army.mil;3. Walter Reed Army Institute of Research:, U.S. Army Medical Research Unit—Europe , Heidelberg , Germany |
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| Abstract: | Benefit finding and unit leadership have been identified as buffers against the negative effects of combat exposure on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, little is known about how these different buffers work together to protect military personnel from the negative effects of combat. We examined benefit finding and leadership as buffers of the combat–PTSD symptoms link in a sample of recently returned combat veterans (N?=?583). Results revealed that when higher levels of noncommissioned officer (NCO) leadership and benefit finding (BF) were reported, fewer PTSD symptoms were endorsed. Additionally, BF buffered the relationship between combat stress and PTSD symptoms, but only under conditions of supportive officer leadership. Implications of these findings for military settings are discussed. |
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