The Association Between Deployment-related Posttraumatic Growth Among U.S. Army Soldiers and Negative Behavioral Health Conditions

Objectives: This study assessed posttraumatic growth (PTG) in a sample of U.S. Army Soldiers using the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and the relationship between PTG and negative behavioral health (BH) conditions.

Design: A sample of Soldiers with prior combat deployment experience (n = 1,834) completed an anonymous survey including demographics, the PTGI, and negative BH conditions.

Results: Among previously deployed Soldiers, those reporting the highest number of combat experiences also reported significantly higher overall PTG. A significant inverse relationship was observed between PTG and recent suicidal ideation, whereby Soldiers reporting recent suicidal ideation reported significantly lower overall PTG.

Conclusions: This study quantified PTG resulting from deployment and demonstrated the degree to which combat experiences might result in PTG.