Posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptomatology in a sample ofGulf War veterans: A prospective analysis

The authors examined the relationship over time of posttraumatic stress dis order (PTSD) and depression symptoms in a sample of Gulf War veterans. A la rge sample (N = 2,949) of Gulf War veterans was assessed immediately follow ing their return from the Gulf region. and 18-24 months later. Participants completed a number of self-report questionnaires including the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD (T. M. Keane, J. M. Caddell, & K. L. Taylor, 1988) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (L. R. Derogatis & N. Melisaratos, 1 983) at both time points and an extended and updated version of the Laufer Combat Scale (M. Gallops, R. S. Laufer, & T. Yager, 1981) at the initial as sessment. A latent-variable, cross-lag panel model found evidence for a rec iprocal relation between PTSD and Depression. Follow-up models examining re experiencing, avoidance-numbing, and hyperarousal symptoms separately showe d that for reexperiencing and avoidance-numbing symptoms, the overall recip rocal relation held. For hyperarousal symptoms, however, the association wa s from early hyperarousal to later depression symptoms only.