The Role of PTSD, Depression, and Alcohol Misuse Symptom Severity in Linking Deployment Stressor Exposure and Post-Military Work and Family Outcomes in Male and Female Veterans

Abstract

Exposure to stressors during military deployment puts veterans at risk for reduced post-military quality of life. Stress-related mental health problems may lead to decreased well-being within work and family domains, yet few studies have explored associations in the context of gender. We examined relationships between deployment stressors and post-military functioning and satisfaction in the domains of work and family, with a focus on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and alcohol misuse symptomatology as potential mediators. Participants included 522 male and female Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans assessed longitudinally. Structural equation models supported several direct and indirect pathways linking deployment stressors to work and family outcomes for both men and women. PTSD had an important role in these associations. Depression also played a significant role, particularly for women. These findings build on prior research by elucidating potential gender-specific risk, which may be applied to better tailor services to veterans’ unique needs.