PTSD symptom severity and sensitivity to blood, injury, and mutilation in U.S. army special operations soldiers

Authors

James A. Naifeh, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Robert J. Ursano, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Natasha Benfer, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Hongyan Wu, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Michelle Herman, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
David M. Benedek, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Dale W. Russell, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
K. Nikki Benevides, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Tzu-Cheng Kao, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Tsz Hin H. Ng, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Pablo A. Aliaga, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Gary H. Wynn, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Lei Zhang, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Robert D. Forsten, United States Army War College
Carol S. Fullerton, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Date of this Version

2017

Citation

Psychiatry Research 250 (2017) 78–83.

Comments

U.S. government work.

Abstract

Sensitivity to blood, injury, and mutilation (SBIM) may increase risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), given that traumatic events often involve actual or perceived threat of bodily harm to oneself and/or others, including exposure to blood and other mutilation-related stimuli. A self-report questionnaire was administered to male, active duty, U.S. Army Special Operations Command soldiers who had deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan (n =694 males). We first used exploratory factor analysis to examine whether the 30-item Mutilation Questionnaire (Klorman et al., 1974) comprised a unitary measure of SBIM, finding that 10 of the items form a cohesive SBIM factor. Summed, those 10 SBIM items had a significant bivariate correlation with PTSD symptom severity. In a multiple regression analysis that included demographic characteristics and lifetime trauma exposure, SBIM was positively associated with PTSD symptom severity. Other significant multivariate predictors were high lifetime trauma exposure and junior enlisted rank. When trait neuroticism was added to the model to test the robustness of these findings, the association of SBIM with PTSD symptom severity remained significant. The results suggest that SBIM may be a risk factor for PTSD in male soldiers. Further research is warranted to improve measurement and understanding of SBIM.