Correlates of Anger and Hostility in Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans

Abstract

Objective As troops return from Iraq and Afghanistan to civilian life, clinicians are starting to grapple with how best to detect those at risk of post-deployment adjustment problems. Data reveal the presence of mental health problems in these soldiers, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), head injury, and alcohol abuse. Each of these conditions has been associated with elevated anger and hostility in veterans from previous conflicts. The authors sought to identify variables empirically related to anger and hostility in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Method A total of 676 veterans who served since September 11, 2001, and who volunteered to participate in research studies, were interviewed with instruments designed to collect information on psychiatric symptoms, health, and possible post-deployment adjustment issues. The primary outcome measures were variables measuring aggressive impulses or urges, difficulty managing anger, and perceived problems controlling violent behavior. Results The three outcome measures were each significantly associated with PTSD hyperarousal symptoms. Other PTSD symptoms were less strongly and less consistently linked to anger and hostility. Traumatic brain injury and alcohol misuse were related to the outcome variables in bivariate but not multivariate analyses. Distinct sets of demographic, historical, and military-related variables were associated with the different facets of anger and hostility measured. Conclusions The results underscore the need to tailor interventions individually to address anger and hostility effectively and to develop theoretically sophisticated, evidence-based knowledge to identify service members at risk of problematic post-deployment adjustment.

Relationship of screen-based symptoms for mild traumatic brain injury and mental health problems in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans: Distinct or overlapping symptoms?

“…Our findings suggest that among the most prevalent postdeployment conditions, there are common screen symptoms that may represent shared pathways that can be treated collaboratively across disciplines. For example, there are excellent treatments for irritability and anger and a growing understanding of how to best tailor treatments to target particular types of anger [29]. Given that irritability and anger are shared symptoms of TBI and PTSD, focusing on a symptom-based approach to treatment may help ameliorate both conditions.…”

Evidence-based Treatments for Military-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Veterans Affairs Setting

“…129 It has been posited that one explanation for the high rates of justice involvement for Veterans may be a result of military training and the development of coping strategies that were adaptive in the military setting (aggressiveness, hypervigilance, arousal, instantaneous decision-making) but are maladaptive in civilian settings and may lead to difficulties such as aggressiveness, impulsiveness, and other behaviors that could result in legal issues and incarceration. 130 Veterans' involvement with the legal system has significant implications for treatment. Veterans involved with the justice system often present to treatment under court order, which can impact motivation for treatment.…”

Reconstruction personnelle et critique sociale. Enjeux politiques de la réinsertion des anciens combattants par l’agriculture

“…Les sciences psychologiques, psychiatriques ou cognitives ont en effet cherché à caractériser chez les soldats de retour du front certains comportements étiquetés comme « déviants » : l'agressivité, la propension à la violence, l'addiction aux drogues ou à l'alcool, le vagabondage et la vie à la rue, la difficulté à s'insérer dans un collectif professionnel ou un réseau social, etc. (Collins et Bailey, 1990 ;Mazur, 1995 ;Begic et Jokic-Begic, 2001 ;Elbogen et al, 2010). Une focalisation sur la figure de l'individu ayant « perdu les pédales » l'a ainsi emporté sur la constitution d'un débat public autour de questions relatives à l'institution militaire dans son ensemble (Hockey, 2003).…”