VULNERABILITY AND RESILIENCE TO COMBAT EXPOSURE - CAN STRESS HAVE LIFELONG EFFECTS

The Purpose of this study was to examine whether appraisals of desirab le and undesirable effects of military service mediated the effect of combat stress on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in late r life in 1,287 male veterans, aged 44-91 years (M = 63.56, SD = 7.46) , 40% of whom had been in combat. The men reported more desirable effe cts of military service (e.g., mastery, self-esteem, and coping skills ) than undesirable ones; both increased linearly with combat exposure (r = .17 and.33, p <.001, respectively). Path analysis revealed that t he appraisals were independent and opposite mediators, with undesirabl e effects increasing and desirable effects decreasing the relationship between combat exposure and PTSD, even controlling for depression and response style. Although lifelong negative consequences of combat exp osure were observed, perceiving positive benefits from this stressful experience mitigated the effect.