The Impact of Homecoming Reception on the Adaptation of Peacekeepers Following Deployment

Not unlike combat soldiers, peacekeepers are at risk for the development of significant symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Litz, Orsillo, Freidman, Ehlich, & Batres, 1997 Litz, B. T., Orsillo, S., Freidman, M., Ehlich, P., & Batres, A. (1997). Posttraumatic stress disorder associated with peacekeeping duty in Somalia for U.S. military personnel. American Journal of Psychiatry, 154, 178–184.PubMed], Web of Science ®] , Google Scholar]). Previous studies have demonstrated that the response of family and community members at homecoming has a significant restorative role in the adaptation of combat soldiers (e.g., Fontana & Rosenheck, 1994 American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manualfor mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Google Scholar]). This study assesses this potential effect in the postdeployment adjustment of peacekeepers. As part of a larger investigation, 1,023 U.S. military personnel who served as peacekeepers in Somalia were administered a comprehensive psychosocial questionnaire that included measures of exposure to negative and potentially traumatic peacekeeping experiences, homecoming reception, and PTSD symptom severity. Adjustment to peacekeeping was positively related to homecoming reception.