CHILDHOOD ABUSE EXPERIENCES AND COMBAT-RELATED PTSD

Current literature on the etiology of combat-related PTSD strongly imp licates combat trauma exposure as a primary etiological factor. Howeve r, studies of premilitary variables have produced conflicting results, perhaps in part due to methodological inconsistencies and failure to employ standardized measures. The present study examines one premilita ry variable, childhood physical abuse history. Using a standardized me asure developed by child abuse researchers, forty-five percent of vete rans with PTSD were identified as recipients of abusive physical punis hment during childhood. A positive correlation between physical abuse history and severity of combat-related PTSD was found. These prelimina ry findings set the stage for further investigation of the child abuse variable and underscore the need for treatment of veterans with comba t-related PTSD which addresses developmental traumagenic events.