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Prevalence of PTSD and PTG in Soldiers From Ethnic Minorities
Introduction
One should recognize that PTSD and PTG are widespread diseases that often affect former soldiers from ethnic minorities. According to Fogle et al. (2020, p. 12), these combat veterans are more likely to have disabilities and positive screening results for PTSD. As practice shows, such severe mental illness affects Black and Hispanic citizens (Fogle et al., 2020, p. 14). In general, based on numerous studies, it becomes evident that the prevalence of PTSD is approximately 15%, and men are more likely to suffer from it (Gradus, n.d., para. 4). However, one must admit that about half of the survivors, after participating in hostilities, experience PTG and strive to discover new talents and hidden potential (Stokes, 2021, para. 7). Therefore, PTSD and PTG are equally most often found in veterans, mainly if they belong to ethnic minorities (Seol, 2021, p. 1).
Prevalence of PTSD
Veterans from racial and ethnic minorities like African Americans or Latinos often have PTSD, unlike, for example, white non-Hispanic citizens (Friedman et al., 2020, p. 2). Moreover, citizens belonging to the minority category are less likely to seek medical help, experiencing a higher burden of life stress. This information is reported by Friedman et al. (2020, p. 6), and in addition to this statement, they claim that this circumstance most clearly demonstrates the inequality in treatment. From this, it follows that belonging to ethnic minorities is one of the most common factors determining the presence of PTSD in a veteran.
Prevalence of PTG
Often, PTG is observed in veterans who have or have survived PTSD (Bachem et al., 2018, p. 731). However, one must admit that PTG is usually found in veterans from the minority category, as opposed to white non-Hispanic individuals (Whealin et al., 2020, p. 186). More than half of all veterans have post-traumatic growth; they also report better mental functioning and overall health ( Study suggests high rates, n.d., para. 2). In particular, this phenomenon affects specific domains as an assessment of the quality of life, personal strength, and spiritual change (Whealin et al., 2020, p. 185).
Factors
Psychosocial factors are some of the most well-known factors associated with PTG in veterans (Prati & Pietrantoni, p. 374). In addition, injuries sustained in childhood can also have far-reaching consequences, regardless of whether a person participated in hostilities or not (Kadri, 2022, p. 1). Demographic factors, such as age and gender, affect the degree of PTG in individuals (Prati & Pietrantoni, p. 367). At present, there is no established relationship between PTSD and consequent PTG; however, the examined variables have a notable impact on the individuals positive development (Tsai et al., 2015, p. 166).
Social Support and Coping Style
Indeed, both social support and coping style affect the correlation between factors and PTG among veterans (Prati & Pietrantoni, p. 379). At least, this phenomenon largely depends on several side variables, one of which is age (Prati & Pietrantoni, p. 367). While some variables might negatively affect the impact of social support and coping style on PTG, the research confirms the overall positive relationship between these factors and the development of PTG (Prati & Pietrantoni, p. 374).
Conclusion
It should be recognized that the influence of the presented factors on PTG is most reflected in veterans from among minorities rather than those who do not belong to them (Mark et al., p. 6). Mostly, people from social minorities have fewer resources available to receive medical care and often face negative experiences in receiving social support (Mark et al., p. 6). Ultimately, the variables related to the research question include demographic (gender, age, ethnicity), socio-economic, the degree of PTSD, and military (exposure to combat). Each of the mentioned variables can be measured and operationalized through in-depth interviews and medical evaluations.
References
Bachem, R., Mitreuter, S., Levin, Y., Stein, J. Y., Xiao, Z., & Solomon, Z. (2018). Longitudinal development of primary and secondary posttraumatic growth in aging veterans and their wives: Domainspecific trajectories. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 31(5), 730-741. Web.
Fogle, B. M., Tsai, J., Mota, N., Harpaz-Rotem, I., Krystal, J. H., Southwick, S. M., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2020). The national health and resilience in veterans study: A narrative review and future directions. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11 (538218), 1-27. Web.
Friedman, M.J., Kruidenier, D., & Smith, H. (2020). Racial and ethnic disparities in PTSD. PTDS Research Quarterly, 31(4), 1-12. Web.
Gradus, J. L. (n.d.). Epidemiology of PTSD. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Web.
Kadri, A., Gracey, F., & Leddy, A. (2022). What Factors are associated with posttraumatic growth in older adults? A systematic review. Clinical Gerontologist, 1-18. Web.
Mark, K. M., Stevelink, S. A., Choi, J., & Fear, N. T. (2018). Post-traumatic growth in the military: A systematic review. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 75(12), 904-915. Web.
Prati, G., & Pietrantoni, L. (2009). Optimism, social support, and coping strategies as factors contributing to posttraumatic growth: A meta-analysis. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 14(5), 364-388. Web.
Seol, J. H., Park, Y., Choi, J., & Sohn, Y. W. (2021). The mediating role of meaning in life in the effects of calling on posttraumatic stress symptoms and growth: A longitudinal study of navy soldiers deployed to the Gulf of Aden. Frontiers in Psychology, 11 (599109), 1-9. Web.
Stokes, V. (2021). Post-Traumatic growth: how to start healing. Healthline. Web.
Study suggests high rates of post-traumatic growth among veterans with PTSD. (n.d.). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Web.
Tsai, J., El-Gabalawy, R., Sledge, W. H., Southwick, S. M., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2015). Post-traumatic growth among veterans in the USA: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Psychological Medicine, 45(1), 165-179. Web.
Whealin, J. M., Pitts, B., Tsai, J., Rivera, C., Fogle, B. M., Southwick, S. M., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2020). Dynamic interplay between PTSD symptoms and posttraumatic growth in older military veterans. Journal of Affective Disorders, 269, 185-191. Web.
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